Living with a chronic illness like Crohn’s or Colitis will more than likely at some point require medical attention and or care that can only be provided in a hospital setting. No one looks forward to or enjoys these visits, but they are critical to your health and well-being. Knowing you may find yourself confined to a hospital room, planning in advance for that scenario can make all the difference in the world!
This is where I recommend packing a ‘bug out bag’. If you aren’t familiar with the term ‘bug out bag’, it is usually referred to as a bag to help survival in a dire emergency situation. These emergencies can range from anything to the zombie apocalypse to war and natural disaster. Your dire emergency just looks a bit different from those, but the same principle applies. By being prepared, you can focus on getting to the hospital to get the care you need and put your energy toward getting better. You can also take great comfort in the fact that you have everything you will need with you, and you didn’t have to pack while sick and rushed, possibly forgetting important items.
So, what should go in the ‘bug out bag’? Well there are several basic categories to cover, but keep in mind that the goal is to customize it to your particular needs.
Let’s build a hospital ‘bug out bag’:
- Food: Bananas, apples, avocados, approved dried or freeze-dried fruits (apricots, raisins, strawberries etc.), squeezable unsweetened applesauce, premade bone broth (bring a small cooler to store in after opening, and ask for ice from your nurse aid).
- Medications: While the hospital may provide certain prescriptions for you that you take at home, chances are they don’t have the exact same supplements you take. They may offer a D3 vitamin, but you don’t know what thickeners, stabilizers, or coatings are used in that particular vitamin that may go against SCD (like soy). I recommend having at least a week’s worth of your supplements in your bag. Be sure to include any other medications like a prescription toothpaste or lotion.
- Clothes: It can be very comforting to have a pair of your favorite fuzzy socks to wear or your favorite sports bra. Maybe even a pillowcase, or a small blanket with the smell of your house can bring comfort. These little things make the visit much more bearable! Make sure you have at least two comfortable outfits. One to leave the hospital in (you will be glad to not have to put the clothes you wore to the hospital back on trust me!), and a backup one just in case.Toiletries: While the hospital will provide you with a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a handful of essentials, it can be extremely emotionally comforting to have things that are your own. Things like your hairbrush, shampoo, conditioner, face wash, toothbrush, toothpaste, lip balm, body wash, lotion, nail clippers, tweezers, and deodorant. Having these small conveniences can be greatly comforting, and by experiencing the fragrances you already use and enjoy they can be surprisingly emotionally soothing.
- Entertainment: Don’t forget the essentials like a phone charger and headphones! I like to add a journal and pen to help process emotions as they are usually intense in situations where your health and well-being is involved. Feel free to do this electronically on your phone if that’s more your speed. I usually include a book of interest to pass the time, and my Bible for encouragement. Time spent resting and recovering is always a good opportunity to practice mediation, so don’t forget to bring your favorite guided meditations and a patient mindset for healing with you. And above all, don’t forget you are there to get better! Be sure to rest as much as you can during your stay. Sleep does wonders for healing!
Having these things will make your stay more tolerable, and you’ll have the things you need to take care of yourself even if you are alone while admitted. If you are lucky enough to have someone come with you, and maybe even spend the night, be sure to have them make a ‘bug out bag’ of their own so they can have all their essentials and comforts with them too.
If some of your items are used every day, and you can’t find travel sizes or extras, you can always include a detailed bulleted list of those items in the bag so they can be gathered quickly and efficiently before leaving. I hope that this will help put your mind at ease before and during an unavoidable hospital stay, knowing you have all you need at your fingertips.
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