Ideas

Just c/p'ing a list I found on a cervical stenosis message board. I think I'm going to start preparing now!!


BEFORE SURGERY:

place your telephone next to your bed;
if you do the cooking, prepare a week of meals in advance and freeze them;
select someone to do your chores;
pick someone to change your dressing;
place frequently used items at waist level to minimize bending;
remove things which may cause you to trip;
if your bedroom is upstairs, and your bathroom is downstairs, consider moving downstairs for a few days;
select someone to drive you to appointments for a few weeks; and,
pick someone to drive your children to school.
Rent a LAPTOP with Wireless Access.

Things to Buy:
Stool Softener
Bottled Water
DOVE CHOCOLATES WITH CARAMEL.
Bendy Straws
Chloraseptic Spray/Lozenges
Soft foods - pudding, soups, mashed potatoes(butter-sour ream), V8 Juice, Ensure. Yogurt, ice cream, popsicles, jello cups, pre-made puddings & tapioca, protein bars, cereal, microwave oatmeal, bananas, chicken stock, Lean Cuisines, pre-made mashed potatoes, cookies, chocolate, lettuce, salad dressing, cheese, lunch meat, hot dogs, bread, bakery items, Tuna.

Frozen fruit for blending smoothies.
Protein Powder [will assist with bone fusion, particularly if you cannot chew much]
Bag of ice – small cubes
Ice chips to help dry or sore throat
Paper plates and plastic cups
Candy, sugarless gum
Mints
Vitamins
Non-slip mat for shower
Hand shower
Toilet riser with or without side handles - $15-$25 (if needed)
Bedpan if necessary
Walker and/or cane per doctor
Personal Items
Deodorant body wipes / wet wipes for freshening up (Drug Store has near the Depends. They are a large size.)
Pre-moistened facial cleansing cloths
Dry shampoo $5 from specialty beauty store
Powder – Shower to Shower or other
Face cream (I would suggest small sizes)
Hand cream
Body lotion for itchy skin
Lip balm, Chapstick
Mouthwash
Throat lozenges / Chloraseptic Spray
Kleenex
Wound dressings per doctor
Thermometer to check temp after surgery
Prune Juice taken with a dose of Milk of Magnesia for dire cases of constipation - it takes about 2 hours, then you are good to go (pun intended).

Handy Items
-Grabber/picker – preferably 36” long. Perhaps one in bedroom and one in living room. $10-$25
-Long handled shoe horn. $5
-Grabber-like thing to pull on socks with, or think about wearing flip flops or open-backed shoes.
-Pill Organizer or notepad to keep track of what you need to take when and to make notations of when you take your meds.
-Bedtray
-Bell, cell phone or walkie talkies to contact caregivers
-Microwaveable hot packs –great for aching shoulders, etc.
-Satin sheets for easy sliding in and of bed. Or satin PJ's.
-"Turning sheet" strip of heavy fabric that you put under you so that you can have a signficant other pull to turn you over as needed, particularly good for those first few days.
-Cold packs in freezer prior to surgery
-Phone near the bed. Get a wireless or wireless adapter from Radio Shack o Cellphone and charger o Blackberry, Treo and chargers
-IPod, headphones, charger o Update your playlists
-Books, magazines, audio books, crosswords, Sudoku o Booklight
-Plastic containers to hold and organize items you will use while confined to bed. Also to use after mouthwash or for small trash.
-Put all the reading materials, crosswords, pencils, etc. in one. Put personal cleansing items in another.
-Small, lightweight pitcher for water next to bed
-Paper towels near bed
-Small wash basin near bed
-Small bucket for nausea next to bed
-Small garbage bags nearby
-Towel that lies flat on the bed beside you. Put items you may use on top then just pull the towel toward you to retrieve items you can’t reach.
-Extra pillows to help with comfortable positions
-Additional sheets, blankets, pillows near recliner, sofa, chair in living room
-Recliner, if possible. Some find recliners work, others don't - they can be hard to get out of.
-Think about placing every day items at waist height even if it means storing on counters.
-Slippers - not too loose with good soles
-Bathrobe
-Front buttoned shirts or zipper tops for trips to PT and doctor
-Sweat pants
-Yoga pants
-Front button pajamas – numerous sets

Comfort Items
Lots of pillows, body, small, wedge, cervical, etc.
If you are planning on much reading or computer (laptop) work post-op, consider a stand that adjusts in position and height like a hospital bed tray –Brookstone. $150; There are less expensive ones around $60-70. Make sure they fit under your favorite chair.
Books to read.
To Do Prior To Surgery
• Shave, wax, pedicure, manicure, etc. right before surgery.
• Hair cut
• Give all doctor names and numbers to caregiver(s) as well as next to your bed
• Put together phone numbers of all concerned family members and friends on one sheet
• Check with your doctor for handicap sticker
• All grooming/personal supplies waist high to avoid reaching/bending
• Organize essential items at home to be within reach, e.g. telephone, shoes, etc.
• Arrange for care - someone to be with you for most of the first week post-discharge
• Give blood prior to surgery and/or family members
• Checks made out for bills, stamped envelopes ready or online payments done in advance
• Have some cash handy for family members to run errands.
• Car keys and house keys given to appropriate caregivers

Boredom Relievers
• Laptop
• Magazines, books
• Audio books
• Crosswords
• Sudoku
• DVDs o Order prior to surgery if belong to Netflix or other service
------------------------------------------------------------

Take to Hospital
(check with hospital in case you receive items during stay)
• Button up pajamas
• Bathrobe to cover up if use a Johnny
• Hairbrush/Comb
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Mouthwash
• Facial wipes
• Body wipes
• Hand Cream
• Facial Cream
• Lip Balm
• Loose clothing to come home in o Underwear o Front button top o Socks o Comfortable, safe shoes
• Magazine, crosswords, notepad, pencil
• Glasses
• Laptop, if you want - a lot of hospitals have wireless access in the rooms