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No one likes to stay in the hospital, but bringing a few personal items can make the experience much more pleasant. Many members of the Anderson Network, a support group for cancer patients and their caregivers, have experienced at least one hospital stay themselves, so we asked them to suggest a few of those comforts.
Here is a sampling of things they found useful in the hospital—or what they wished they had brought.
Your own clothes. Bring a bathrobe, nightgown, pajamas, underwear, shorts, and perhaps an athletic suit. Take “anything you feel comfortable in,” one Network member advised. “You don’t need to wear that gown that the hospital gives you.” Others suggested comfortable slippers with non-skid bottoms, socks with rubber on the bottom, or slip-on shoes such as Crocs to make walking easier.
Warmth. Many Network members remembered being cold in the hospital. They suggested bringing socks to keep feet warm and perhaps a special quilt. “I really enjoyed having a bed jacket. It kept me warm when I sat for visitors and looked a lot nicer than the hospital gown,” one woman said. Another said she wished she’d brought a “soft, fuzzy shawl” with her. A fleece blanket or piece of fleece from a fabric store, she wrote, would have fit the bill. And while it may not provide much warmth, a pillow from home can make a hospital bed much cozier.
Decorations. “Any decorations to help make your room your own will really help,” one Network member wrote. “I decked the walls with cards from well-wishers so I could always see my support network.” Make your room more homey by bringing a couple of knickknacks or a silk plant. Just be sure not to bring anything expensive or irreplaceable.
Meaningful photos. Over and over, Network members suggested bringing “pictures of things you love,” such as your family, friends, home, or pets. “I brought a framed picture of my child,” one wrote. “I would look at it several times a day to remind myself of why I was fighting to get well. It made me feel like he was there with me even when he couldn’t be.” A considerate daughter laminated a picture of a beloved dog for her parent to take to the hospital. One former patient enjoyed a digital photo frame, while another assembled old photos into an album during her hospital stay, helping her “make good use of the time and enjoy the memories.”
Distractions. Many Network members recommended bringing a good book and magazines, though one advised, “If you’re having chemotherapy or surgery, you may find that you can’t focus as well as you normally can. A book with beautiful photos or a simple plot line may be better than a complex book.” Other favorite distractions included Sudoku, crossword and jigsaw puzzles, audio books (“it’s much easier to ‘read’ when you don’t have to hold a book”), a deck of cards, and games. Simple art projects are also a good choice. “I once took an Etch A Sketch to a man in the hospital, and he couldn’t wait until I left so he could start playing with it,” one Network member said. Another wrote, “A friend sent me a coloring book and crayons, and believe it or not, I really enjoyed coloring. It’s a calming, relaxing thing to do when you’re cooped up.”
Music and movies. Many Network members enjoyed listening to music and suggested bringing an MP3 player, a satellite radio receiver, or a portable CD player (including spare batteries and headphones). Soothing music, relaxation tapes, and comedy albums were listed as favorites. Others liked watching movies on a portable DVD player (also with headphones). Bring funny DVDs to lighten your spirits, one former patient suggested.
Tools for staying in touch. Suggestions included stationery, stamps, a pen, thank-you cards, an address book including phone numbers of friends and family, and—if it’s allowed in your room—a laptop with a wireless networking card to access the Internet and e-mail. One Network volunteer found that “a journal or notebook can help you keep track of the days and help you see progress.”
Your own toiletries. People liked having their own soap, shampoo, makeup, skin care products, remedies for dry lips and hands, and baby wipes.
Whatever reassures you. Reassurance means different things to different people. One member suggested bringing “a book of faith, even if you can’t read it.” Others found comfort in listening to “healing-type tapes” or reading books with devotions and positive sayings. A grandfather was cheered by listening to a recording of his grandson’s voice. Another Networker found comfort in the small stuffed bear a friend had brought: “I was too sick to want visitors, but it reminded me of those who wanted to visit.”
For more information, talk to your physician, visit www.mdanderson.org, or call askMDAnderson at 1-877-632-6789.
Other articles in OncoLog, September 2009 issue:
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