Hello all, ;;D
 I would love all of you to share with me what I need to (or should) take with my to Stanford.  I will be out there for two direct by-pass surgeries, approximately 3 weeks.  I feel like all I need a bunch of PJs and underwear!  Is this correct? What did each of you wish you had?-----besides your health! Again, thanks for letting me project my anxiety!
All suggestions welcome :)
Stephanie

Stephanie:

Yes, make sure you take lots of pajamas.  If you have some sweatpants (or shorts since it's summer - the kind you can lounge around in) would be appropriate.  Pajama bottoms are especially wonderful to have.  You should also take some footies and slippers.  

You will also want to take Tylenol.  I was so glad that we had lots of that.  You may not have any headaches, but good to have in case you do.  Another thing that we ended up having to go out and buy is Rubbing Alcohol and Q-tips.  I used this to clean the blood out of my ear after my surgeries.  I'm sure not everyone will have this, but just in case.  

Make sure you take books and magazines to read for when you are feeling better.  The TV gets boring after awhile.  

Also, most importantly, if you wear glasses, make sure you get one of those glass/screwdriver kits.  You will need this in order to take one of the earpieces off after the first surgery and then when you have your second one, I would advise not having any of the earpieces on at all.  And you most certainly can't wear your contacts right afterwards.  You should also buy surgical tape to hold the glasses up.  It looks weird, but at least you can wear your glasses afterwards.  

Also, you will want to have lots of water with you.  

That's all I can think of for now, but if I think of something else, I will let you know.  

Good luck!  And I will be praying for you and thinking about you!

Michelle

One more thing.....make sure you take a little address book that will fit in your pocketbook that has all the contact numbers you need.  You will want to hand that over to someone in your family before you go into surgeries.  That way someone in your family will be able to make calls right after your surgery to everyone that you want to call.

Michelle

Hi Stephanie,

Itsme, I'm leaving L.A. Sat.18th preop-20th & surgery 21st. Will I see you there? Also, guys thank you for your
tips.
I saw David who had his ( 2 ) surgeries one month ago
at Stanford and NOT TO WORRY Stephanie he looked great, and he's doing great. The scars were not bad at all. He did say bring LOT'S of water.  Any way, Stephanie I know how you are feeling but this is the best thing that could have happen to us. I waited 8 years....HOW DUMB WAS I???? At least, you are taking
care of MM and hopefully we never have to worry about STROKES again.

LOL,
itsme

Hi Stephanie, Once again wishing you all the best for your surgery - You will be fine!!! As everyone else has said take lots of books and magazines - I took crossword books with me, but had trouble remembering words straight after surgery!! I also took my CD Player with my favourite CD's, made me feel just that little bit comforted with familiar music around me. I am a huge Queen fan and the strangest thing was when I played my CD's I could have sworn that that was NOT Freddie Mercury singing!!! Did not sound at all like him but luckily after a few days he started to sound familiar! That was just my personal experience after my surgeries
so don't be concerned - everyone reacts differently.
You won't lose much hair - I have really long hair and my surgeon only shaved a tiny wedge that you couldn't see afterwards.
Moira

Stephanie,

Good luck with your surgeries!  As others have mentioned, the doctors are very careful about not cutting too much hair off, and the scars aren't bad, at all.   Three months post- surgery, Daphne's hair has grown over her scars and we have to "show" them to people, who are curious about seeing her surgery scars.   And Daphne has short, baby hair.

As a mom (not a patient) I can't give you too much advice about what to bring.    One thing I've liked having when staying in a hospital overnight with Daphne is no-rinse face wipes (to wash your face).  We liked having our camera, too, to take pictures of the doctors and nurses with Daphne -- our family and friends have loved looking at the surgery pictures :)Also, lots of good books!

Jenny

Stephanie:

Everyone pretty much covered everything but I would add a little notebook while you are in the hospital.  It's helpful to take notes when doctors or nurses come to talk to you and if you think of questions, or want to get someone's address or phone number.  Also, I didn't wear my own pajamas in the hospital - I wore the gown provided as it was more comfortable for me but if you decide to do that, then be sure to take a light robe also.  My parents bought me one there after my first walk out with a nurse after my first surgery.  My mom said I looked half naked (I hadn't paid attention).  The robe was very helpful, especially when you start walking around the hospital after your surgery.  

Don't worry - you'll be fine.  Itsme mentioned David, who had his surgeries the same time as me, and let me tell you -- he was running around making friends most of the time in the hospital.  :)  

Trina

Hmmm....what to bring with you that hasn't already been mentioned?  Well, my grandfather gave me a portable DVD player just before I went to Boston.  My brothers and sister-in-law loaded me up with DVDs to watch...that was nice to have.  

My mom helped me wash my hair in the sink - without getting the stitches wet.  That made me feel more - well - human!  If you know what I mean!  So, if you like, you could bring a travel sized hair dryer and whatever else you would need.  You may want to check with your surgeon first, as to whether you'll be able to wash your hair after the surgeries.

Can't think of anything else that hasn't already been mentioned.  

Good luck!  We'll be thinking of you!

-Shari

Thank you all so much for all the suggestions and support.  I really am becoming much less anxious thanks to all of you.  
All of your support, well wishes and reassuring words mean the world to me ;).

Itsme,
I think I might see you at Stanford!  I will get to Palo Alto on June 24th, but my first appointment is not until that following Monday, the 27th.   I am not sure if you will still be in the hospital? :(  Are you having a direct by-pass?  You said you waited 8 years, what prompted the surgery?
Stephanie