Ben
Mike took my BEST ideas! That sense of humor thing is WAY important!
These are the facts:
YOU will be a handful for a while. Apoligize beforehand.
The first few days you will need nothing. That walking thing will wear you out completely.
The last few days in the hosp. will require a renewed sense of humor on your part. You won't get much sleep, your room mate will be "interesting" and you will be quite bored. But you will also find that reading a book or "thinking" is unusually hard for some reason. Just going to the bathroom will be a GOAL (think of it)
I found these things to be most comforting at the hospital; An ipod with my favorite tunes (the hospital is LOUD!) an ipad is now so much more useful than my laptop computer of old (you need to keep us informed
) Basic toiletries. I was glad for a shave after 4 days (It made my visitors more comfortable) A COMB! (for obvious reasons.... but 4 day bed head is scarey to visitors)
Yes to slippers and a robe, because you WILL walk! That's an order!
I found my cell phone was easier than the hospital phone to use, and don't forget the charger!
I know that everyone is different, but I found the time in the hospital to be a chance to relax (weird Huh?) I had been running at 1000mph and scared witless before the surgery, and Suddenly I was forced to slow down and be selfish for a while, and look around at how Good I really have it. I was determined to get better, and I left the hospital feeling really lucky.
Now this may seem weird but, You will have a loose grasp on reality. I thought I was in Full control of my faculties at all times. After I got out I was told stories of my weird behavior by my wife and kids. I thought they visited a little sparingly. They informed me that they were there every day for long periods of time. I guess I figured since they weren't there every time I was awake..... they weren't there much.
Now that I've made a perfect fool of myself..... you can find your own "normal" while in the hospital.
Best of Luck
George