Waiting Room Survival Bag

[Ready2Dance]

So my family and I are getting ready to pack our bags to be ready for "the call" when I get my transplant. We decided it would be a good idea to have a survival bag for my family while they wait for the long surgery. The surgery should take between 6-10 hours, depending on a lot of factors.

The given things like sudoko, crossword puzzles, quarters for vending machines, and an address book are things we've thought about. Anyone have any other insight to this? We don't have any young kids that'll be there, so that makes it a little easier.

 

[Ready2Dance]

So my family and I are getting ready to pack our bags to be ready for "the call" when I get my transplant. We decided it would be a good idea to have a survival bag for my family while they wait for the long surgery. The surgery should take between 6-10 hours, depending on a lot of factors.

The given things like sudoko, crossword puzzles, quarters for vending machines, and an address book are things we've thought about. Anyone have any other insight to this? We don't have any young kids that'll be there, so that makes it a little easier.

 

[Ready2Dance]

So my family and I are getting ready to pack our bags to be ready for "the call" when I get my transplant. We decided it would be a good idea to have a survival bag for my family while they wait for the long surgery. The surgery should take between 6-10 hours, depending on a lot of factors.

The given things like sudoko, crossword puzzles, quarters for vending machines, and an address book are things we've thought about. Anyone have any other insight to this? We don't have any young kids that'll be there, so that makes it a little easier.

 

[Ready2Dance]

So my family and I are getting ready to pack our bags to be ready for "the call" when I get my transplant. We decided it would be a good idea to have a survival bag for my family while they wait for the long surgery. The surgery should take between 6-10 hours, depending on a lot of factors.

The given things like sudoko, crossword puzzles, quarters for vending machines, and an address book are things we've thought about. Anyone have any other insight to this? We don't have any young kids that'll be there, so that makes it a little easier.

 

[Ready2Dance]

So my family and I are getting ready to pack our bags to be ready for "the call" when I get my transplant. We decided it would be a good idea to have a survival bag for my family while they wait for the long surgery. The surgery should take between 6-10 hours, depending on a lot of factors.
<br />
<br />The given things like sudoko, crossword puzzles, quarters for vending machines, and an address book are things we've thought about. Anyone have any other insight to this? We don't have any young kids that'll be there, so that makes it a little easier.

 

[PedsNP2007]

Jen,

Great idea! My brother was in the hospital prior to transplant. We didn't have bags packed because we didn't anticipate him getting lungs during his tune-up. I was heading to pick up food for dinner when my sister-in-law told me to turn around and come back to the hospital. We had no time to stop home -- we headed without packed bags to Loyola (where he got transplanted). Thankfully, we live around 30 minutes from the hospital so after we saw Eric post-transplant, we were able to go home to change, etc.

So it is good you are being proactive in this! I'd recommend a change of clothes, extra layers (it gets chilly overnight) and some personal products. Scrabble, soduko, crosswords, etc -- I had my computer to do work on and had some movies to pass the time. Pack snacks (candy, chips, pretzels) and drinks... I am a nervous snacker... I think I felt better snacking

At first thought, the 10+ it took for my brother didn't sound long... but wow, the minutes went so slow! You just keep glancing up at ANY noise hoping that it is the nurse coming to update you.

Have you been listed yet?? How far is Cleveland from your home? Do they allow family to visit for prolonged time? We had a problem initially that they were very restrictive on visiting which is so different than in a pediatric facility where I was a nurse (we allowed parents to visit 24/7 even during more critical times). At the end of my brother's stay, they allowed us unrestrictive visiting.

Good luck!
Jenn
30 yo cf

 

[PedsNP2007]

Jen,

Great idea! My brother was in the hospital prior to transplant. We didn't have bags packed because we didn't anticipate him getting lungs during his tune-up. I was heading to pick up food for dinner when my sister-in-law told me to turn around and come back to the hospital. We had no time to stop home -- we headed without packed bags to Loyola (where he got transplanted). Thankfully, we live around 30 minutes from the hospital so after we saw Eric post-transplant, we were able to go home to change, etc.

So it is good you are being proactive in this! I'd recommend a change of clothes, extra layers (it gets chilly overnight) and some personal products. Scrabble, soduko, crosswords, etc -- I had my computer to do work on and had some movies to pass the time. Pack snacks (candy, chips, pretzels) and drinks... I am a nervous snacker... I think I felt better snacking

At first thought, the 10+ it took for my brother didn't sound long... but wow, the minutes went so slow! You just keep glancing up at ANY noise hoping that it is the nurse coming to update you.

Have you been listed yet?? How far is Cleveland from your home? Do they allow family to visit for prolonged time? We had a problem initially that they were very restrictive on visiting which is so different than in a pediatric facility where I was a nurse (we allowed parents to visit 24/7 even during more critical times). At the end of my brother's stay, they allowed us unrestrictive visiting.

Good luck!
Jenn
30 yo cf

 

[PedsNP2007]

Jen,

Great idea! My brother was in the hospital prior to transplant. We didn't have bags packed because we didn't anticipate him getting lungs during his tune-up. I was heading to pick up food for dinner when my sister-in-law told me to turn around and come back to the hospital. We had no time to stop home -- we headed without packed bags to Loyola (where he got transplanted). Thankfully, we live around 30 minutes from the hospital so after we saw Eric post-transplant, we were able to go home to change, etc.

So it is good you are being proactive in this! I'd recommend a change of clothes, extra layers (it gets chilly overnight) and some personal products. Scrabble, soduko, crosswords, etc -- I had my computer to do work on and had some movies to pass the time. Pack snacks (candy, chips, pretzels) and drinks... I am a nervous snacker... I think I felt better snacking

At first thought, the 10+ it took for my brother didn't sound long... but wow, the minutes went so slow! You just keep glancing up at ANY noise hoping that it is the nurse coming to update you.

Have you been listed yet?? How far is Cleveland from your home? Do they allow family to visit for prolonged time? We had a problem initially that they were very restrictive on visiting which is so different than in a pediatric facility where I was a nurse (we allowed parents to visit 24/7 even during more critical times). At the end of my brother's stay, they allowed us unrestrictive visiting.

Good luck!
Jenn
30 yo cf

 

[PedsNP2007]

Jen,

Great idea! My brother was in the hospital prior to transplant. We didn't have bags packed because we didn't anticipate him getting lungs during his tune-up. I was heading to pick up food for dinner when my sister-in-law told me to turn around and come back to the hospital. We had no time to stop home -- we headed without packed bags to Loyola (where he got transplanted). Thankfully, we live around 30 minutes from the hospital so after we saw Eric post-transplant, we were able to go home to change, etc.

So it is good you are being proactive in this! I'd recommend a change of clothes, extra layers (it gets chilly overnight) and some personal products. Scrabble, soduko, crosswords, etc -- I had my computer to do work on and had some movies to pass the time. Pack snacks (candy, chips, pretzels) and drinks... I am a nervous snacker... I think I felt better snacking

At first thought, the 10+ it took for my brother didn't sound long... but wow, the minutes went so slow! You just keep glancing up at ANY noise hoping that it is the nurse coming to update you.

Have you been listed yet?? How far is Cleveland from your home? Do they allow family to visit for prolonged time? We had a problem initially that they were very restrictive on visiting which is so different than in a pediatric facility where I was a nurse (we allowed parents to visit 24/7 even during more critical times). At the end of my brother's stay, they allowed us unrestrictive visiting.

Good luck!
Jenn
30 yo cf

 

[PedsNP2007]

Jen,
<br />
<br />Great idea! My brother was in the hospital prior to transplant. We didn't have bags packed because we didn't anticipate him getting lungs during his tune-up. I was heading to pick up food for dinner when my sister-in-law told me to turn around and come back to the hospital. We had no time to stop home -- we headed without packed bags to Loyola (where he got transplanted). Thankfully, we live around 30 minutes from the hospital so after we saw Eric post-transplant, we were able to go home to change, etc.
<br />
<br />So it is good you are being proactive in this! I'd recommend a change of clothes, extra layers (it gets chilly overnight) and some personal products. Scrabble, soduko, crosswords, etc -- I had my computer to do work on and had some movies to pass the time. Pack snacks (candy, chips, pretzels) and drinks... I am a nervous snacker... I think I felt better snacking
<br />
<br />At first thought, the 10+ it took for my brother didn't sound long... but wow, the minutes went so slow! You just keep glancing up at ANY noise hoping that it is the nurse coming to update you.
<br />
<br />Have you been listed yet?? How far is Cleveland from your home? Do they allow family to visit for prolonged time? We had a problem initially that they were very restrictive on visiting which is so different than in a pediatric facility where I was a nurse (we allowed parents to visit 24/7 even during more critical times). At the end of my brother's stay, they allowed us unrestrictive visiting.
<br />
<br />Good luck!
<br />Jenn
<br />30 yo cf

 

[Diane]

The only thing i can think of is food and money for the cafeteria.

 

[Diane]

The only thing i can think of is food and money for the cafeteria.

 

[Diane]

The only thing i can think of is food and money for the cafeteria.

 

[Diane]

The only thing i can think of is food and money for the cafeteria.

 

[Diane]

The only thing i can think of is food and money for the cafeteria.

 

[Ready2Dance]

I have been approved at Cleveland but haven't been placed on the active list yet. I should be getting placed any day now. Once on the list, the Dr I saw said she thought it would be 3-6 months before I got lungs, but you never know with these things <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Cleveland is pretty far from home - It's a 4 hours drive. They will send a plane for me to get there and my family will follow. My family is planning on staying up there the whole time I'm in the hospital and my mom will stay behind with me once I'm discharged. I have to remain in the Cleveland area for a few weeks after I'm discharged just for all of the frequent checks. I don't know what their visitation rules are, but I can imagine that it'll be the standard adult ICU rules, which means more waiting for them.

We basically need to be ready at a moments notice to go on a 2 week "vacation." Movies are a great idea though. I hadn't thought about that one, thanks!!

 

[Ready2Dance]

I have been approved at Cleveland but haven't been placed on the active list yet. I should be getting placed any day now. Once on the list, the Dr I saw said she thought it would be 3-6 months before I got lungs, but you never know with these things <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Cleveland is pretty far from home - It's a 4 hours drive. They will send a plane for me to get there and my family will follow. My family is planning on staying up there the whole time I'm in the hospital and my mom will stay behind with me once I'm discharged. I have to remain in the Cleveland area for a few weeks after I'm discharged just for all of the frequent checks. I don't know what their visitation rules are, but I can imagine that it'll be the standard adult ICU rules, which means more waiting for them.

We basically need to be ready at a moments notice to go on a 2 week "vacation." Movies are a great idea though. I hadn't thought about that one, thanks!!

 

[Ready2Dance]

I have been approved at Cleveland but haven't been placed on the active list yet. I should be getting placed any day now. Once on the list, the Dr I saw said she thought it would be 3-6 months before I got lungs, but you never know with these things <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Cleveland is pretty far from home - It's a 4 hours drive. They will send a plane for me to get there and my family will follow. My family is planning on staying up there the whole time I'm in the hospital and my mom will stay behind with me once I'm discharged. I have to remain in the Cleveland area for a few weeks after I'm discharged just for all of the frequent checks. I don't know what their visitation rules are, but I can imagine that it'll be the standard adult ICU rules, which means more waiting for them.

We basically need to be ready at a moments notice to go on a 2 week "vacation." Movies are a great idea though. I hadn't thought about that one, thanks!!

 

[Ready2Dance]

I have been approved at Cleveland but haven't been placed on the active list yet. I should be getting placed any day now. Once on the list, the Dr I saw said she thought it would be 3-6 months before I got lungs, but you never know with these things <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Cleveland is pretty far from home - It's a 4 hours drive. They will send a plane for me to get there and my family will follow. My family is planning on staying up there the whole time I'm in the hospital and my mom will stay behind with me once I'm discharged. I have to remain in the Cleveland area for a few weeks after I'm discharged just for all of the frequent checks. I don't know what their visitation rules are, but I can imagine that it'll be the standard adult ICU rules, which means more waiting for them.

We basically need to be ready at a moments notice to go on a 2 week "vacation." Movies are a great idea though. I hadn't thought about that one, thanks!!

 

[Ready2Dance]

I have been approved at Cleveland but haven't been placed on the active list yet. I should be getting placed any day now. Once on the list, the Dr I saw said she thought it would be 3-6 months before I got lungs, but you never know with these things <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
<br />
<br />Cleveland is pretty far from home - It's a 4 hours drive. They will send a plane for me to get there and my family will follow. My family is planning on staying up there the whole time I'm in the hospital and my mom will stay behind with me once I'm discharged. I have to remain in the Cleveland area for a few weeks after I'm discharged just for all of the frequent checks. I don't know what their visitation rules are, but I can imagine that it'll be the standard adult ICU rules, which means more waiting for them.
<br />
<br />We basically need to be ready at a moments notice to go on a 2 week "vacation." Movies are a great idea though. I hadn't thought about that one, thanks!!