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Mum’s diary of a “Scoli” Kid – surviving surgery

Estelle (14 yrs), Rob and Sue

Purbrook, Hants

Estelle was diagnosed as a scoliosis patient two years ago when it was spotted after she

broke her arm. She swam in a swim club twice a week and we saw her in her swimming

costume all the time so it came as a huge shock to us that this condition can occur very

quickly in some patients. To be sure we hadn’t missed anything, checked photographs of

her swimming competitions and we estimate that the spine curved in three months, so

very quickly in Estelle’s case.

We have been so lucky to have been mentored by a local family who had been through

this procedure last year. Many of the excellent hints and tips were given to us by them.

As a family, we cannot thank them enough for their help in deciding to have the

operation and providing an endless supply of support and useful information.

Wednesday 24th May 2017

It’s time – today’s the day. Our appointment was on G3 at 12.00. Our journey on the

motorway should only take 30 mins, but we have experienced delays due to heavy traffic

and accidents when attending our hospital appointments and this stresses me. What

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about the car park? Will we have to queue? We don’t want to be late and all this adds

to the stress. So, we decide to leave home at 10am and take our time. The motorway

fairy was kind to us and we were near the hospital by 10:30, we joined the rolling queue

for the carpark on Coxford Road. It took nearly 40 mins to feed into the car park but

this was OK as I knew we had time. It was a really, really hot day, I was already

regretting the jeggings I had on. After parking, we left all our bags in the car and

walked over to Costa and Rob and I needed a coffee. Unsure of the day ahead, we

thought we’d have a coffee and a toastie now. Estelle really wanted a Subway, so she

popped in, ordered her favourite and sat with us in the lobby. It is so hot. Just before

12, we walked back over to the car and gathered our bags. (see pack list). As we’d been

to G3 the week before we knew where to go. The lifts make me feel wobbly. We buzz

the door. In we go and the ward is packed. We went the parent room with our bags,

the other scoliosis patient (10 years old - who will be operated on the same day but first

as she is the youngest) was there with her mum. Jo (spinal nurse) popped into the

parent room, it was lovely to see a familiar face. On the ward we met a young man

(15yrs) and his mum who had had surgery last week. It sounded more complicated than

Estelle’s but this young man was amazing. He was keen to share his experience and

demonstrated how straight he was and how he could move. What a star!

We needed to go for our medical photographs (13:30) and then to neurophysiology

(14:00).

We found the photography department and Estelle had some pictures taken (stood

front and back then two side views bending). Estelle was worried that she did not have

her best underwear on!! She didn’t have to worry the staff were amazing and very

reassuring and I was able to stay with her throughout.

Then off to the toe twitching. It was fun finding the department. Estelle sat and then

reclined in a really comfy chair – like a LazyBoy – (all she needed was a mini fridge full

of goodies). The specialist measured her head with a traditional tape measure (which I

thought was very vintage!) and then glued four pads to her head. He then attached pads

to her ankles using some Velcro straps and then turned on the volts. We could see the

wave form on the screen and he then recorded this wave. The team of “neuros” will play

this wave form back during surgery and will compare the readings to ensure that the

spinal cord is happy. During the recording Estelle’s big toe twitched on its own, how we

laughed!

Back up to the ward Estelle was measured (158cm) and then weighed (50.2Kg). We met

up with Jo and went through some details. Good news for us, is that the order for the

operation has been changed and Estelle will now go first. The plan would be to go down

around 8:30am.

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A nurse from the pain team popped by and explained what the different types of pain

relief are, how they work and what they look like. This was very helpful. We discussed

how the scale of 0-10 would be used to communicate how the pain is being managed.

Bad news is that there is no bed on G3 tonight, so the team have arranged for us to stay

the night down on E1. Now at first we were not sure but when we arrived downstairs it

was like the Hilton! There was a teenage room, great parent room and a lovely new ward!

At 17:15 a G3 nurse took us down to E1 to settle in. As we did not need any further

nursing we were free to go out for a family tea.

As we had the car we drove 10 mins to The Walnut Tree Lodge. (It’s a carvery pub near

the OS building). It was so hot that we decided to sit inside and enjoyed some family

time. There is a B&Q across the junction on the M271 so we popped in there to buy a

fan. (An essential item for the heat in the ward.)

Robbie dropped us back by 7 and Estelle and I hung out in the teenage room for a while

to watch TV. We had a shower (Estelle needed to shower using the micro-gel) and then

settled down for sleep. Two G3 nurses came down to check and see if we were OK. They

had just finished their shift and took the time to come down. How thoughtful!

Special Notes:

See pack list for the most essential things.

As soon as you arrive ask the Admin Lady on G3 desk for a voucher for the car parking

discount. Do this today and then you don’t have to worry later.

Don’t wear jeans or jeggins, there‘s a lot of sitting today and your legs get hot and

sweaty.

Recommend flip flops or comfy pumps.

Bring bottles of water to keep hydrated.

Keep some biscuits or nibbles in your bag to feed the family!

Use a notebook to write down key information, people’s names, medication, etc – it will

help to keep you sane!

Put your bags in the room behind the nurse station for safe keeping.

Tea and coffee (milk too) are provided in the parent room free of charge. If it runs

out, just ask a member of the team and they will top up for you.

If you want something for breakfast in the morning put it in your bag today. I chose

plain unbuttered hot cross buns as they are moist and don’t have to be in the fridge.

Take the stairs when you can, it is good exercise

Buy one of those large drinks bottles with a straw that goes to the bottom. 750ml is a

good size. Estelle drank as much as possible to hydrate her body.

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Thursday 25th May 2017

We were woken up at 5:30. Estelle is nil-by-mouth. We folded up my parent’s bed and

Estelle had another shower using the gel. No food for Estelle, just some water so I had

a cup of tea and didn’t have breakfast either.

Rob had left home really early to beat the traffic and was parked up and with us by

7:00. He chose a parking space on the lower deck to keep the car cool. He packed a

picnic and other bits and pieces but left them in the boot in a cool box. It’s a stonking

hot day today – it will be well over 25 degrees C today.

We were collected by the G3 team first thing and were back up on the ward for 7:30.

7:45 the anaesthetist came to talk to us. He said Estelle would have some cold cream

soon and she will walk down to theatre. A nurse came and chose the “juiciest” veins,

(Estelle was very proud) and then put some cold cream under some plasters. There was

one on the back of each hand and one on her left elbow joint. Wrist and ankle bands

were put on to make sure we knew who Estelle was!

A nurse introduced herself to us. she was a nurse in training and was going to be present

during the operation. She took us down to F level where the theatres are. Rob and I

were both with Estelle in the “pre” room. There was a lady sitting behind the door and

she made us laugh we went into panto mode “it’s behind you”. Anyway silliness aside, a

staff nurse went through the paperwork and then a lady from theatre came over and

went through the questions again. Our nurse in training appeared and then disappeared

to get scrubbed up and change into her theatre clothes.

Mr Davies appeared he said he would see Estelle shortly, he gave us the thumbs up and

left. It was time. I walked with Estelle and our nurse down to the very end room. Only

one parent can go into the anaesthesia room so poor Rob had to wait for us. I don’t

think we were gone more than 10 mins, but Rob said it felt like forever. Our nerves

were starting to get the better of us, so breathing deeply we went in. It was a small

room, the anaesthetist was in there waiting. It reminded me of a dentist surgery with

cupboards and shelves with all sorts of stuff on. As Estelle lay down, the team went

into action. They were really quick. Estelle didn’t even feel the cannula going into her

hand. The mask with oxygen was held over and I talked about what type of sweets we

like and the ones we don’t, we got to parma violets and she was asleep. The nurse took

me back to Rob who was waiting patiently. There was nothing else we could do now

everything was outside of our control.

We went back up to the ward to ask for a day pass to the Ronald McDonald house to use

the day room. It was so hot today that it was a relief to sit on a comfy sofa, in the cool

breeze. There was a kitchen to make a drink so we had a cuppa. We tried to read

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books, magazines, watch TV, eat our picnic and have – yes - another cuppa. Nothing

really helped pass the time as I kept looking at the clock only another 5 mins had

passed. At least we had the lounge to ourselves and it was cool and quiet. At one point

I made Rob do some yoga with me – stretches and relaxation breathing. Not sure if it

really helped but it broke the tension and made us laugh a bit.

We watched the lunchtime news and decided to put the picnic bits back in the car and

walk up to G3 and hang out there for a bit. Just as we got to the entrance my mobile

rang and Estelle was in recovery. Up we went back to F level where we left her. She

wasn’t there! Mild panic until a member of staff said that children are taken to E Level

for recovery. Down the stairs we went, rang the bell and a member of the recovery

team came. Estelle was awake and asking where we’d been! I said that we came as soon

as I was called – it was 14:10. She said she’d been waiting an hour and our nurse in

training had been holding her hand. When I asked “how do you know?”, she said “I can

see the clock”. She was really hungry and luckily I had her favourite biscuits in my bag.

She ate three without stopping. Rob then joined in as he suddenly got his huge appetite

back. The recovery team worked hard to make Estelle comfortable, working with the

cold spray to make sure the epidurals were working and adjust the medication so there

was no pain. When ready, a nurse from G3 came down with the green back pack and we

were taken up to the ward. The G3 nurses worked hard to make Estelle comfortable in

the “scoli” way. All the wires/tubes were re-laid out with no overlapping or twisting

wires, the pillows were reorganised into the best position and Estelle was comfortable

and safe. Estelle was thirsty and we found that she drank loads of water and then

sucked on chocolate buttons posted in the mouth, both seemed to work and keep her

comfortable.

The team gave Estelle a spirometer to help her breathe. It was a great distraction and

helped to get the lungs working. We swapped between this and the water bottle. The

expanding booties were fitted. These look like 80s leg warmers that inflate and deflate

to ensure the circulation in the legs is maintained to reduce the risk of DVT. They make

a funny noise when they deflate similar to a grumbly old man moaning about something.

We are so glad that we bought the fan with us. It was an absolute necessity as it is so

hot.

Mr Davies came by for a brief chat and to check on Estelle. Rob and I dined on M&S

pre made meal – (meatballs and risotto) heated in the parent room microwave and we ate

in the playroom as it was late and all the kids were in bed. Estelle watched a DVD while

she rested.

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The patients are given laxatives that they MUST take. It is a powder dissolved into

liquid. It doesn’t taste great so we found the best combination was really strong

blackcurrant squash in a small plastic cup. Use a double straw and suck and swallow as

quickly as possible.

Our day nurses went off shift and Robbie left, it must have been around 20:30 and it

had been such a long day. I walked down to the entrance with Rob, took the stairs so I

could stretch my legs. I was the first parent into my jimmy jams and climbed into my

fold up bed as soon as I could. Our night nurse introduced herself. I lost count as to

how many times she came in to check Estelle, change her position, monitor her and

administer pain relief and fluids. I hardly slept as there was so much activity. The team

looked after Estelle really well.

Special Notes:

Remember earplugs and eye mask.

Rob liked to rub hand cream onto Estelle’s feet and hands. Not only did it smell nice but

it relaxed Estelle. The ward can be smelly at times and to sniff something lovely on

your hands really helps!!!

Rob made a picnic from home for us to eat in the Ronald house. (There’s only so many

pre made foods you can eat in a week)

If you like real coffee – buy those filter bags or collars that sit on a mug. They make a

good Costa like coffee.

Bring a portable DVD player. There are loads of DVDs for all ages but the 12+ DVDs

are locked in a cupboard in the playroom, just ask for the key.

Friday 26th May 2017 (the day of 4 litres of wee!)

I was awake by 6:00. Estelle was just dozing. I asked the nurses for some towels and

grabbed a quick shower. Made a cuppa and ate my hot x buns. It’s another really hot

day. The fan has been running all night.

The physio visited early and gave us a sheet on some breathing, feet and leg exercises.

Estelle lost 130 ml through the cell save during the op and last night the night nurse put

300ml back in from the back drain. It’s an amazing invention.

Our night nurse checked out of shift this morning and our day nurse and the team were

back in. Estelle had some toast and butter for her breakfast. She wasn’t too hungry

and felt sick with the meds but we had a go.

I chatted to the other mums of the scoli kids in our bay. A young girl (13 yrs) had her

operation earlier in the week – Tuesday I think. A young man (15 yrs) and his mum had

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their op on Weds. It was good to talk and hear their stories of how their kids developed

this condition. Robbie arrived he said the motorway was OK today and he made good

time and found a parking space. Well it was only just 9:00 but it felt the middle of the

day!

Mr Davies came by. He is so laid back and friendly. He told us everything is OK. We

saw the pain nurse again at some point, what time I’m not sure, and she said we will

change to oxycodone today as Estelle is feeling nauseas and has itching from the

morphine. Her meds would change later in the day.

Lunch arrived it was chicken goujons and wedges. Estelle managed to eat a little. When

Estelle was resting, Rob and I took a picnic blanket from the car and had lunch outside

the old nursing home. It was hot in the sun and good to be outside for a little while.

This afternoon two physios came and helped Estelle to sit on the side of the bed. This

was the most scary thing for Estelle as she had no idea how her new back was going to

work. I won’t lie, this was the most challenging thing for the both of us, but the pain

did not last long and once up, using the breather and some water she was OK.

We had visitors around 14:30. Estelle was drowsy and nodded off during their visit so

we walked down to C level for some fresh air when they left. By 15:45 Estelle was still

asleep. Estelle was still sleepy and we had to wake her to give her tea which was jacket

potato. The poor thing kept falling asleep while eating!

Overall she was feeling uncomfortable but was OK with the pain and we scored around a

3-4. Our friends visited with Estelle’s best buddie. They didn’t stay too long but it was

lovely to see them. Best buddie had the job of posting in the chocolate buttons –

Estelle’s favourite!

Estelle is really hydrated and drinking loads of water. The catheter is working well and

with regular emptying Estelle managed to wee 4 litres (4 kilos!). We think it’s a record,

but to be honest, the more you drink the better you feel.

Our day nurse went off duty well past her clocking off time. Our night nurse came back

on the night shift to care for Estelle. Rob and I had tea in the playroom again. Curry

tonight – red thai and something I don’t really remember now. Rob went home and I

watched the nurse take the most amazing care of Estelle, she washed her, changed her

and made her bed really cosy. She refitted the expanding booties and made sure she

was comfortable.

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I settled down onto my bed around 22:30. Fan still running! Not much sleep to be had,

but it was amazing to watch the nurse care for Estelle through the night. She was so

gentle and caring.

Special Notes:

The water in the taps is not really cold. Recommend having two water bottles, one

chilling and one for drinking.

Parents must keep hydrated especially as it is so hot on the ward.

Saturday 27th May 2017

There was a tremendous thunder storm last night so it is a little cooler today. It was

overcast when I woke up at 7:30 – the hospital equivalent of a sleep in!.

Our night nurse looked after Estelle really well in the night and was ready to finish her

shift and go home for some sleep. I had a shower and our day nurse came over to see

Estelle and make sure she was comfy as she would be Estelle’s nurse for the day shift.

The physio team arrived. Today, Estelle would sit up on the side of the bed and then

stand. Our nurse helped too and as a team we all did it. It took tremendous courage

from Estelle to breathe through the challenge. Being sat up after being laid down for

so long made Estelle dizzy and she was sick. However, once up and sat on her new rods

she was OK and then she stood for a bit. Robbie arrived in the middle of the process

and helped cheer us all along.

After the physio laid Estelle back to rest, she laid quiet and watched a DVD. We

escaped down to Costa for a coffee and a breather. Can you believe it; while we were

gone Leo the healing dog visited!!!! We missed him!.

Poor Estelle was sick again and she needed a complete wash down. The medication is in

liquid form, combine this with the morphine and without much in the stomach she feels

sick most of the time. The nurses are giving anti-sickness medication but this is liquid

too! Estelle slept for 3 hours.

We had some more visitors this afternoon. We have met so many wonderful parents and

patients on the ward. It’s surprising how many people you can reach out to in the parent

room. I spend a lot of my time chatting to parents and kids.

Our nurse was rushed off her pins so we did all we could to care for Estelle and not

disturb her for things we could do. As it was Saturday, she had to manage all the

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medication for the ward, food for all, new patients coming in for surgery and Estelle

without any admin, catering support. Then at 19:30 she had to travel to Salisbury with a

patient. She had worked a 12 hr shift and then didn’t get back until 22:30. What a

wonder woman she was! She definitely earnt the prize for the hardest working nurse

under relentless circumstances.

Robbie and I dined on M&S finest in the playroom. He left at 20:30 as he was tired too.

Our night nurse arrived and Estelle was washed, cleaned down, checked and then

settled. Our nurse checks Estelle throughout the night and is very, very gentle.

Estelle’s temperature was a bit high so she had extra checks.

Sunday 28th May 2017

Woke at 6am – it’s going to be another hot one. As soon as we were awake the epidurals

were switched off! I sorted out our belongings as it is difficult to keep organised in

such a small space. Then showered all ready for the day. Our day nurse arrived and the

shift changed over. The epidurals will take up to 4 hours to stop working. At 10am two

nurses removed the epidurals and the white top dressing was changed.

We went straight into physio. Our day nurse helped too, sitting Estelle up and then

getting her to stand! No pain like yesterday which was a relief to us all. However, the

movement still made Estelle sick. Estelle thought she needed to poo so we sat on the

commode but no luck this time.

Robbie arrived around 11:30. I thought it best to come later so he could have a rest at

home and do some washing. The traffic and parking should be better today. Rob

massaged Estelle’s hand and feet with nice smelling cream.

We popped down to Costa for a coffee and pastry. What a treat!

Estelle watched a DVD and we had a picnic lunch on a blanket outside the nurses’ home

building.

More visitors today who came at 14:30 and stayed until 16:00. Estelle was quite tired

but they did bring junk magazines and maltesers! We walked them out and bought

Estelle a coke from Subway. It was cool and came with ice. It was soothing for her to

drink. We selected our meals from M&S.

Our nurse encouraged Estelle to sit in a big chair. We did it as a team. The oxycodone

machine will be switched off and we are moving to giving the dose by mouth as a liquid or

tablet form. Now that the epidurals and meds are no longer intravenous Estelle is no

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longer attached to machines, (just the catheter left) so she can now move around with

ease.

Our nurse was a star and helped Estelle get back into bed for a well-deserved rest. We

had a quiet read of our junk magazines. More visitors popped by this afternoon. It

cheers Estelle up but does leave her tired.

Rob and I ate our meal in the playroom – oh – he brought some olives ! Yum – something

with texture. The festival on the Common is on tonight, we could hear it. Our night

nurse comes to say hello. The checks are every four hours now the epidurals are out.

Bank Holiday Monday 29th May 2017

It’s Bank Holiday Monday today. We had a good night thanks for the skill of our night

nurse to do the checks and meds without disturbing Estelle too much. I jumped in the

shower early to get ready for the day.

9:20 – big moment, the catheter balloon is let down and removed. Then the urge to have

a poo begins. Two nurses and a mum later, we made it by walking to the bathroom for

the best poo ever! Estelle did so well to walk as well as use the bathroom. With the

encouragement of our nurses Estelle sat in the big chair for a little while and then back

into bed by 10:05. Well done!

Robbie arrived around 11:30 and

Estelle needed a wee. So

brimming with confidence she

walked back down the corridor we

went for a wee. Poor Estelle ran

out of energy so we grabbed a

wheelchair to bring her back to

bed. As she rested, not feeling her

best – Archie the healing dog

came. We got to snuggle him and

tickle him.

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At 12:00 the pain relief arrived and we have moved onto tablet to minimise the liquid in

the stomach. Estelle walked to the loo another three times today. We took a spin in

the wheelchair and went to visit some other patients around the ward. Lots of new

friends we’d made to chat to and lift our spirits.

A team of two nurses washed Estelle’s hair using the special tray and I re-plaited it for

her. It made her feel all shiny and new!

We wanted to thank the nursing team for all their efforts with an appropriate gift. We

decided on a desk fan for their workroom. Estelle had written thank you gift tags for

the nurses. We hope it will help them to keep cool on their well-deserved breaks.

Estelle ate her first proper tea, pizza and chips. Compared to the rest of the food

that’s been served, this was a good choice!

Rob and I had our M&S pasta tea. He went home around 21:00. Our night nurse said

hello and as the tubes are out so it’s just medication and regular checks throughout the

night.

Tuesday 30th May 2017

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I jumped in the shower like I always do first thing. I thought the day would go slowly so

however, I couldn’t be more wrong. When Estelle woke she needed a wee so off we went

to the loos. Estelle was able to check out her new torso and was really pleased with her

waist, ribs, shoulders and flat back.

The physio team came really early. Estelle hadn’t even finished her toast. It was time

to walk the stairs. We were to use the secret set of stairs that can only be opened

with a key card. Estelle walked them with ease – well done. It looks like we can go home

today! The physios gave us a sheet of exercises that will help Estelle when we get

home.

Jo the spinal nurse came to see us. She needed to make an appointment with the x-ray

team downstairs as we need to check the metal work before we go home. We had a

good chat and caught up on the last four days. Jo was really pleased with Estelle’s

progress.

Robbie came in and started to take some of our bags down to the car we thought it

would make it easier when we actually left. Time to go to x-ray so we took Estelle down

in the lift in a wheelchair. We were seen by the radiologist straight away.

Back up to the ward the pain nurse came to go through the weaning plan. We have to

wait for a bag of medicines from the pharmacy.

I thought it would be good idea to clean the lower half of Estelle’s body in the walk in

shower. We were really careful just to soap and shower her lower half. She felt nice

and fresh after!

Pizza and chips were delivered by Mandy. Lunch for Estelle. Picnic for us – thanks

Robbie.

Estelle was measured and she had “grown”. She was now 162cms – 4 cm in total!

As it’s Tuesday we bumped into some new patients who are taking part in their pre op

day. We met some new patients. Estelle was amazing and answered their questions and

gave some advice. I was able to share some of my ‘tips’ with the parents too.

Jo came over with printed copies of Estelle’s x-rays – before and after. We have two

cool rods and 18 screws!

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The green sealed bag of medication arrived. It contained oxycodone (pain relief) and

Movicon (laxatives). The pack didn’t contain any anti-sickness tablets but we were

advised that we can buy these from the pharmacy.

It was time to say our goodbyes. We gathered the last of our things and said our

farewells. We used the ward wheelchair to go downstairs and out into the fresh air!.

Rob went to get the car from the car park and pulled into the drop off bay. Estelle felt

like a fragile glass vase and she was packed, very carefully into the front seat of the

car with soft pillows.

A very gentle and careful drive home followed. It must have been around 16:30 ish?

The motorway was running so it only took 30 mins or so to get home. We walked into

the door and Mutley the Siamese cat was waiting to greet us.

When asked where to sit – Estelle wanted the sofa and to catch up on all the

“Neighbours” episodes she’d missed. “What would you like for tea?” “Take away curry

and onion bajees please - oh with naan bread!”

TV and take away over – Estelle was placed very carefully into our bed with some junk

magazines and a Mutley sitter. By laying her in the middle and packing pillows around, it

is easy to roll her during the night. Medicine weaning list in hand, we start our home

care.

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Going home Special Notes

Important to know – the hospital does not supply paracetamol and ibuprofen so it is

important to stock up at home. You can only purchase two boxes at any one time. Add

packs to your supermarket shopping list well in advance!

Bring pillows from home to pack around for the journey home.

Keep the air-con on low but fans blowing on face will help with the sickness feeling.

Estelle was dressed in t shirt, shorts, socks and a soft canvas shoe. Avoid slippers/flip

flops as it takes a bit of concentration to keep them on. Poncho was on standby in case

she felt cold.

Buy steri strips early, Boots only sell them in packs of 8. Cut them in half as they are

too long. Amazon were cheaper but they didn’t stay on as well.

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Estelle’s back post op two weeks. The large white dressings have just been removed and

the large tapes strips are from theatre. I decided to keep them on for as long as

possible. The smaller steri strips I’ve applied to keep the edges of the wound together.

I’ve been given really good advice from our mentor family to help keep the edges

together as much as possible, particularly at the top and bottom of the wound.

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Estelle’s back post op four weeks at home. The wound is clean and I’ve been steri

stripping every day. I usually steri strip all the way down paying particular attention to

any bumps, gaps or bobbles.

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Back at post op 5 weeks. I am still applying the steri strips regularly and will keep doing

so until the scar is healed.

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This is a list of the items we took to hospital. We packed two small wheelie bags (cabin

aircraft size). They were easy to store under the fold up bed as there is a shortage of

space.

Patient Pack List Parent Pack list

750ml water sports type bottle with a

straw to the base

DVD player & charger

(DVDs – bring favourites – others are

available in the play room)

Headphones/earphones and a splitter if

you want to share a DVD

Phone and charger

Junk magazines

Relaxing colouring books and pencils

Book – although too tired to read

Toiletries

Lip balm

Nice hand cream

Ear plugs

Eye mask

Bath towels are provided by the nurse

team

Loose fitting pyjamas/nightdress

Dressing gown

Slippers/socks

Underwear – at least two pairs per day

Going home outfit

Cuddly toy!

Mentos

Chocolate buttons

4 plug extension lead

Electric desk fan

Sleeping bag (in a stuff bag)

Pillow

Phone, charger and headphones

Water bottles – one to drink one to chill in

the fridge

Book – too busy to read

Two large packs of baby wipes

Note book and pencil

Carrier bags for dirty laundry

Coffee bags if you don’t like instant

Breakfast – something for breakfast on the

first morning.

Biscuits/cake/snacks

Toiletries

(don’t bother with hair dryer/straighteners

– there’s nowhere to use them)

Lots of hand cream

Lip balm

Bath towels are provided by the nurse team

Night wear

Dressing gown – zip up recommended

Sippers

Day wear – recommend loose leggings, jog

bottoms, floppy tops with patterns!

Flip flops/pumps comfy shoes for day wear

Poncho/pashmina or wrap

Ear plugs

Eye mask

A smile!