SCT list of things to bring

[Zarathustra]

Hey, I know this has probably been discussed in the past, but as I am coming up on what is looking like an in-patient SCT, I was wonder if all of you out there had any suggestions on what to bring and want NOT to bring. Or maybe the one thing you wish you had or you couldn't have lived without. Or inlue of that, you can point me to where it has been posted in the past.

Thanks, I am off to continue avoiding fever with my ANC OF 0
Darrel

[MaryIN]

Look for Hospital Visit 101, I think posted by Moondoggie.

[mkat]

Hi There is so much info both on this side and on the NHL side. My husband Michael is in the hospital right now, day +3. I'll give you a bit of our info and then a bunch of links to other's advice given to us. Because they took the time to type it out we have been wonderfully prepared. I am so grateful.

Our favorite advice from Sarah was the use of Christmas lights. They really have the room feel like less of a hospital room. I also brought quite a few things to decorate, pictures of us and the kids, inspiring quotes, drawings from our kids, ect. I also bought Michael a brand new pillow and brought it in. He says it's so much more comfortable.

I discovered that a crate on wheels has been a huge help to me dragging stuff in and out. I have to do all of Michael's personal laundry so that and the food requests keep me carring a lot of stuff. You can get them at a place like Staples. I got a case of Gatorade at Sam's and we both drink a lot of that instead of pop. I've also kept his fridge stocked with a bit of food (and also easy mac on hand) so that when a scary meal comes on the tray, he won't skip a meal. I also have a stash of snacks for me. It gets annoying and expensive to go to the cafiteria a lot.

I made a sticker chart for the kids to count down until daddy came home and since it made Michael smile, I made him one too. We both really like it hanging up in his room. I also brought in his Playstation 2 and since he has a wireless controller he's used that some. We also have a few of our own DVDs that we both like to watch.


SCT 101
SCT and caregivers
NHL SCT
Relapse 101
Sarah's post SCT info
and just in case finanical help

I have more links on my computer at home (the hospital let us borrow a laptop) That has been awesome b/c both Michael and I spend a lot of time online.

Most of all, GOOD LUCK

[AMD45]

The one I really recommend you bring with you is your sense of humor. The SCT process sucks to be blunt but there are ways to make it not so horrible. You'll find the staff to be wonderful -- and I think I can say this of any institution -- and they will help you "enjoy" if that's even close to the right word, the experience to the extent that you can.

I know I may sound weird saying this but I can honestly say that there were many positives to my two SCTs and even though they didn't work, I oddly have some fond memories of them.

[crystali]

I am sorry you have to go through it! I am day +16. I am still very tired. Just keep your spirits up. It is hard, but it will help. Take comfy clothes. Take anything that can keep your spirits high....music, movies etc.
I wish you the best. It won't be a great time but, you can get through it!
Keep us posted
Crystal

[Moondoggie22]

Did I hear my name? Booyah! Ask and ye Shall Receive! I'll bump the thread too, just in case someone else needs it who hasn't looked in here yet.

Contrary to Anne-Marie, I say leave the sense of humor at home and replace it with an air horn. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, but the honky wheel gets all of the attention.

Just one more way The Man tries to keep us down.

Seriously though, be as much of a pain as you can without being "that patient." I was a good patient with no complaints on my hospital stays, not wanting to be too much of a bother. So it would be decided that since I was a good and easy patient, they'd give the new or not-so-good nurses to me. Then, when I'd suddenly take a turn for the worse in the middle of the night, I'd have very little help. And there were a couple of really bad nights there.

So be loud! Be annoying! Honk away!

[izzydoesit]

How come no one ever suggests stacks of Playboys or a blow-up doll?

[AMD45]

We must just have different styles Brian. My room was the social meeting place of the BMT floor. I knew all the families and those patients that felt well enough to leave their room stopped by to visit. My TV was on all the time so the nurses and the nurses aides would hang out in my room to see what was going on. The skin on my feet cracked so bad I could barely walk and one of the nurses -- Anne, she had 6-month-old triplets -- would come in and massage my feet every night and within a week I was back to walking the halls. I kept my stash of mad money for when I got a craving for McDonald's or Starbucks and there was always an aide or a nurse willing to go to the lobby for me and bring me latest desire. My mom and I make this kind of impression on people wherever we go. It made me feel like I had friends taking care of me and I'll be forever gratefull to everyone who took care of me.