I have posted this elsewhere and with the health of members and their loved ones in mind, I thought this might be helpful.
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First my 'waiting room bag'. My bag was a back to school backpack, now a shoulder bag from work. Any bag as long as it is durable and has several compartments will work. Some of the things in it includes paperback books, reading and writing material, cards and puzzle books, bottled water and candy (spice drops, fruit drops), some basic over the counter meds such as pain and allergy relief, some resealable bags, spare reading glasses, and spare phone charger. Often I will have a few days worth of my meds and change of socks for an unexpected stay. This is mostly for doctor's visits or anytime I expect to be waiting for someone or something. As in most things your needs will be different and it will be a constantly changing process of adding and removing, using and replacing. Have a note pad and pencil, small pocket radio or music system and earphone, small flashlight with extra batteries for it and the radio or music system, and an alarm clock. If you have a small netbook computer, bring along with earphones and an extension cord. A simple thing that sometimes helps is to bring or buy your personal drink cup/glass and coffee/tea mug. They don't go "Crunch" at a bad time like disposable cups and gives a small sense of normalcy. A written copy of each family member's medications and medical history.
If you are facing an extended hospital stay and are not the patient some things to have, first a good attitude, even if you don't feel it. The Hospital staff and volunteers try to help but you are not the only one that needs help. Visiting times are set for a reason and they make exceptions only for a few reasons. Most hospitals have an ICU waiting area that have sleeping couches and other things to make your stay better. Staying there also helps the staff to find you if there are any changes. Some of the people I met there only stayed a night or two, but some had been there off and on for months. As in most places there are those that only take from the group, those that expect special treatment, and those that abuse the system set up to make this unbearable time a little more bearable. Don't let them add to your burden.
I recommend that at least once a day, between visiting times, to get out and away from the hospital. If you don't have a cell phone, you can get a cheap pay as you go phone and give the number to the hospital so they can contact you while you are out. If this is not your home town, go to the Chamber of Commerce and get some local maps and phone books, plus extras to share back at the waiting area. Find if there are any parks or natural areas you can visit. Find the nearest dollar stores, discount stores, and eateries. Other places you will want to visit are bookstores, thrift stores, yard sales, and libraries. You don't have to buy something, for me it was often cheap entertainment. If you come across a fruit stand when you are out, a bag of fresh fruit is good thing to give the staff.
Many hospitals have wifi which makes it possible to get on-line if you have a laptop, etc. Just make sure your system is secure. I bought a laptop after my wife had been in more than a couple of weeks, I wish I had it from the beginning so I wouldn't have been cut off from the my on-line friends. Most public libraries have on-line computers but many charge a fee if they allow non-card holders to use their system.
If the waiting area has a kitchen area be sure and clearly mark anything you leave in the refrigerator. The one I stayed at had lockers where you could leave your personal items. I mostly kept snacks, a change of clothes, and my waiting room bag in mine. I kept most of the clothes I brought in my car, every day bringing the day before dirty clothes and picking up the next days clean. Some people kept all their clothes in several lockers and washed them in the provided washer and dryer. Take clothes that are comfortable and you don't mind sleeping in them. I didn't take a change of shoes which I regretted after a couple of days. I had been wearing a pair of 'swim shoes' which is nice around the house and yard, but not good when you have to do a lot of walking. I found some places in and near the hospital to walk off a lot of stress.
I picked up snacks, mostly snack crackers, and microwave meals from some discount stores because I didn't always want what was offered in the cafeteria and didn't want to go out to eat. Watch what you eat during this time because your system is already under enough strain already. Avoid both being too restrictive and too compulsive in what you eat. Nothing wrong with enjoying what you eat, just don't eat something just for the enjoyment or my problem, eating because I'm bored.
Most of the time they will have soap, shampoo, and other things you can use, but I preferred to have my own. If you need something, don't be afraid to ask, often they can help. And don't let the greedy ones stop you from sharing, whether it be time or things. Something I often tell people "If we don't watch out for each other, who will watch out for us?".
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First my 'waiting room bag'. My bag was a back to school backpack, now a shoulder bag from work. Any bag as long as it is durable and has several compartments will work. Some of the things in it includes paperback books, reading and writing material, cards and puzzle books, bottled water and candy (spice drops, fruit drops), some basic over the counter meds such as pain and allergy relief, some resealable bags, spare reading glasses, and spare phone charger. Often I will have a few days worth of my meds and change of socks for an unexpected stay. This is mostly for doctor's visits or anytime I expect to be waiting for someone or something. As in most things your needs will be different and it will be a constantly changing process of adding and removing, using and replacing. Have a note pad and pencil, small pocket radio or music system and earphone, small flashlight with extra batteries for it and the radio or music system, and an alarm clock. If you have a small netbook computer, bring along with earphones and an extension cord. A simple thing that sometimes helps is to bring or buy your personal drink cup/glass and coffee/tea mug. They don't go "Crunch" at a bad time like disposable cups and gives a small sense of normalcy. A written copy of each family member's medications and medical history.
If you are facing an extended hospital stay and are not the patient some things to have, first a good attitude, even if you don't feel it. The Hospital staff and volunteers try to help but you are not the only one that needs help. Visiting times are set for a reason and they make exceptions only for a few reasons. Most hospitals have an ICU waiting area that have sleeping couches and other things to make your stay better. Staying there also helps the staff to find you if there are any changes. Some of the people I met there only stayed a night or two, but some had been there off and on for months. As in most places there are those that only take from the group, those that expect special treatment, and those that abuse the system set up to make this unbearable time a little more bearable. Don't let them add to your burden.
I recommend that at least once a day, between visiting times, to get out and away from the hospital. If you don't have a cell phone, you can get a cheap pay as you go phone and give the number to the hospital so they can contact you while you are out. If this is not your home town, go to the Chamber of Commerce and get some local maps and phone books, plus extras to share back at the waiting area. Find if there are any parks or natural areas you can visit. Find the nearest dollar stores, discount stores, and eateries. Other places you will want to visit are bookstores, thrift stores, yard sales, and libraries. You don't have to buy something, for me it was often cheap entertainment. If you come across a fruit stand when you are out, a bag of fresh fruit is good thing to give the staff.
Many hospitals have wifi which makes it possible to get on-line if you have a laptop, etc. Just make sure your system is secure. I bought a laptop after my wife had been in more than a couple of weeks, I wish I had it from the beginning so I wouldn't have been cut off from the my on-line friends. Most public libraries have on-line computers but many charge a fee if they allow non-card holders to use their system.
If the waiting area has a kitchen area be sure and clearly mark anything you leave in the refrigerator. The one I stayed at had lockers where you could leave your personal items. I mostly kept snacks, a change of clothes, and my waiting room bag in mine. I kept most of the clothes I brought in my car, every day bringing the day before dirty clothes and picking up the next days clean. Some people kept all their clothes in several lockers and washed them in the provided washer and dryer. Take clothes that are comfortable and you don't mind sleeping in them. I didn't take a change of shoes which I regretted after a couple of days. I had been wearing a pair of 'swim shoes' which is nice around the house and yard, but not good when you have to do a lot of walking. I found some places in and near the hospital to walk off a lot of stress.
I picked up snacks, mostly snack crackers, and microwave meals from some discount stores because I didn't always want what was offered in the cafeteria and didn't want to go out to eat. Watch what you eat during this time because your system is already under enough strain already. Avoid both being too restrictive and too compulsive in what you eat. Nothing wrong with enjoying what you eat, just don't eat something just for the enjoyment or my problem, eating because I'm bored.
Most of the time they will have soap, shampoo, and other things you can use, but I preferred to have my own. If you need something, don't be afraid to ask, often they can help. And don't let the greedy ones stop you from sharing, whether it be time or things. Something I often tell people "If we don't watch out for each other, who will watch out for us?".
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