How do I plan for a hospital stay?

[Deb]

Deb, my hugs and prayers are with you too! Deb

[DebE13]

Just a follow up note on my brief stay at the hospital. I packed my overnight bag which was basically my toothbrush, a change of clothes, and the rest was my food. It was like packing for a picnic! I wasn't sure if my 23 hour out patient hospital stay would turn into something more if there were complications so I overpacked. Better safe than sorry. My mom was concerned if that was allowed and if I would be breaking any rules. I didn't ask because I had no intent of going there unprepared.

I packed safe foods for me which included chicken broth, almond milk, apple juice, applesauce, rice chex, pears, Lara bars, ricola cough drops, and cepacol. The apple products I was a little leary of but brought them because they were easy. It worked out ok and I diluted the juice with mostly water so it wasn't so sweet. It was mostly liquids so it weighed a ton!

Food service called me that evening to ask if I wanted to place an order before they closed. I declined since it was so soon after the surgery and I was still nauseous. Water was good but hard to swallow. Later that evening I ate some applesauce and left the container out so the nurses could see. They wanted to know i could at least keep food own before i was let go. I didn't once get scolded and was not questioned once after telling them I had food issues. Maybe being a bigger hospital they are more knowledgable. I was pleasantly surprised.

The next morning I was so crabby from being up all night I was on a mission to get discharged. In the end, I wasn't released any quicker- it took forever but think that is typical. I explained to four different nurses that I just needed to go home and was hesitant to eat because then I would have to use the bathroom. I was still hooked up to several different monitors and had the IV. These all had to be disconnected before I could get to the bathroom. Doing the math in my head wasn't hard- eat, urge to go, ring the nurse, actually have a nurse show up and free me from the machines, roll all the equipment with me to the bathroom, shimmy it all around so I could close the door, and do my business equals not enough time. Now remember, hospital gowns don't come equipped with underwear so there is some degree of feeling pretty bold and risky. The whole BM scenario was not playing out well in my head. The nurses said they understood but don't think they realized my potential for creating a real big mess. I munched some dry chex but was more focused on just going home.

Meanwhile, a food service called again and I explained I was in the process of being discharged and would not be ordering due to my food issues. It wasnt long after that when a rep was in my room with her computer. She collected more data from me that would be stored in the system in case I ever had to come back. She understood my concerns, was very knowledgable, and assured me they take every precaution to ensure those with food issues are taken care of and not have to bring their own food. She noted my egg issue and asked if it was all eggs or if I could eat them baked in other foods. I was impressed. She told me all the labels are reviewed and within their system anything I order would be cross referenced against the ingredients and all of my issues would be red flagged. Seems like a good system. I explained that I don't trust anyone with my food preparation except me. She completely understood and was reassuring. The cross contamination problem is still there, I'm sure but it was nice to see they took it seriously.

My husband brought me my hamburger and rice that morning but I was still hesitant to eat. I ended up nibbling some if it cold while waiting but the ride home is about an hour so I didn't want any side of the road pit stops.

In hindsight, I should have contacted the food service staff before my stay and it would have eliminated some of my anxiety. Hopefully there won't be a next time but its good to know.

As of about ten minutes ago my CC has awakened from its sleep. My D is back. I knew it would be but I had a dreamy hope that maybe it would stay away for a little while anyway. Oh well, could be worse.

[brandy]

Hi Deb,

I've been following your reports and hope things are going well! Your hospital food report above I think was probably helpful for a lot of folks on here. It was so refreshing that the nurses and the food service professionals took your food sensitivities seriously (unlike so many professionals we come across.)

Brandy

[Lesley]

Hey Deb,
I went to the ER with a pork chop and a packet of potato crisps. I left almost 10 hours later, pork chop long gone along with most of the large bag of crisps.

I am impressed that they understood enough to ask intelligent questions!

[DebE13]

Thanks Brandy, I'm finally feeling a bit more normal. I should have expected that if they told me I needed to be off work for ten days. It actually should have been for a full two weeks, at least for me. I've noticed an increase in energy compared to the past year. I still need my naps but that doesn't work since I'm back to work. I'm maintaining three or less BMs a day, too so I'm taking that as a positive also. Patience....... I took your advise about the vitamin/ferritin levels and am working on getting those up. I'm also using Tex's metanx conversion to supplements. It doesn't make sense to ignore my normal levels when they are right at the borderline of being too low. IMO, that magic line is not there, I need to raise them before looking at raising my levothyroxine dose. Although, it's too early for that since I've been taking them for less than two weeks now.

Lesley, I hope you're finding some relief too. Sounds like you're going through another tough spell. I had to travel to get to this hospital when I have two other with ten minutes of my house. It was worth it. I plan to continue using Ministry Health out of Marshfield- they know what they're doing.