Koert's Journal

1.  iPhone/android

2.  iPad/tablet

3.  Noise canceling ear buds {iPods, beats, Bose); lots of noise in the hospital…paying the extra for noise canceling is well worth it.

3.  Durable rubber easy to clean ear bud case with locking clip that you can secure to your bed using a tiny string or cable (I was always searching for my charging case in my bed)…securing this would have been helpful.

4.  Pre-downloaded Music Playlists ready to go (music, nature, rainstorms, ocean, mountain winds through the pines, podcasts); internet and cell reception can be challenging at the hospital

Pre-downloaded shows and movies, books, etc…

5.  3-5 foot charging cables (tablet and phone); charging cell with longer chord to wall may also be a great option..outlets in a hospital room are not always convenient.  Be prepared.

6.  Reader glasses; if like me, have 2-3 pairs as you may lose one in the sheets or one hits the floor-:) also a good idea to bring pre-packaged glass cleaner wipes…great also to wipe off other things like ear bud case, etc…

7.  Water bottle with extended bendable straw not to exceed 16-32 ounces.  If larger, the weight to lift the bottle can be limiting.

8.  Electric Toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash…when you are unable to shower for several days, it is an emotional boost and some as semblance of being human during your hospital stay….mouthwash is nice as you can do throughout your stay to help with breath feeling fresh compromised by all the meds used.  Electric preferred as you may be sore after surgery and motion required in using a manual toothbrush can be limiting.  Don’t forget your charger.

9.  Photos and or images of what motivates you in life as well as images of goals you are striving for upon recovery…begin with the end in mind to help you through low points during your hospital stay.

10.  Pre-written thank you notes to doctors, nurses and staff….while you may not know the names of many of the folks who will be assigned to you, it goes a long way in their attentiveness and care for you by acknowledging the, with a sincerely written note and hand it to them…gratitude has a ripple effect as they are dealing with challenging patients all day long that don’t feel well and sometimes takes how they feel out on them.

11. Bedside Strategy:   Minimalist Strategy to mobile hospital bed table that can swing alongside your bed and or over your bed at varying heights.  My table always had: 1. Wipes for spills. 2. Toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash ready to go, 3. readers, 4. AirPod case, 5.water bottle with straw 6. Clean spittoons for brushing teeth.  Make sure if table is alongside bed, you arrange the most important things to one side of the table closest to you easily reached.