But, so I don't forget, a few things I learned, very specific to us:
In the hospital:
- Take as little as possible to the hospital--who really reads in waiting rooms anyway? I lugged around a book and two magazines and never took them out of the bag. Though, oddly, there was not a magazine or paper to be found in the whole hospital! This might change for a longer surgery or multiple-day stay.
- It takes longer than you think.
- And the follow-up: get used to not knowing. They wouldn't give us any information until about 10 minutes before they were ready to discharge her--she woke up, ate, walked around, etc--before they told us. Which is probably why it took so long. Even though we had asked--politely and patiently--before that. (When I had my two outpatient surgeries there, they let Mama in with me beforehand and she was there when I woke up. Not sure why yesterday was different).
- Which leads to: you're pretty helpless. Relinquish illusions of control and you'll feel better. This is my lesson right now in many things!
- Yep, hospital visits are very good exercises in mindfulness and the Four Noble Truths!
- Medications and anesthesia make Mama nauseous and dizzy--more anti-nauseals next time.
- For the patient: socks, change of comfy clothes, lotion, lip balm, driver's license, insurance card, nothing but eyeglasses.
- For the waiting caregivers: charged smartphone!, water, hand sanitizer,
- About the drive home: validated parking pass, easy directions to pick up spot and then home for whomever is driving. patient in front seat, clear driveway so shortest walk to the house.
At home:
- I should have done more of the chores so I had less to do yesterday--run the dishwasher early and unloaded it, finished off the last load of laundry, etc--we had prepped the kids' morning routine beforehand but not the evening (or next morning) and so were stuck with chores to do, a nauseous patient, and exhaustion.
- There is always a trip to the pharmacy. Always. Good time to get whatever the patient wants to eat or do. Nice way for caregiver to take a break (at least for me).
- For the patient: crackers, applesauce, rice, broth, toast (Sis made Mama's favorite, with butter and sugar!), gingerale (or Zinger Punch), remote controls and the phone (in a handy basket), clean clothes, various distractions (we had iPad games, new videos, a magazine, and pre-recorded tv), charged phone and computer, ice packs/heating pads as needed.
- For the caregiver: a few easy meals already done (would paper plates be overkill?? Ma and Gong cooked last night but that was probably too much), iced coffee, and chocolate! :)
- Extra hands are always needed--we were very grateful for Ma and Gong. Sis and Bud were also immensely helpful.
To Do Before Next Time:
- get a lamp for Mama's nightstand
- clean the house right beforehand (empty fridge for extra meals; empty litterbox for cats, who stayed in their room all day with people in and out; especially clear the bedroom; charge the toothbrushes!)
- big run to stores (grocery, pet store) for staples a day or so before
- pay bills early (because, while we didn't miss any, we were pretty distracted more than just the one day this week)
- and whatever we come up with in the coming days . . . .
Any helpful hints from those of you who have been here before??
