packed bag

[grammynmaggie]

I had a little scare... in the middle of the night early morning.. I was wondering those who full time
and or live alone... do you have a packed bag that you could just grab and go if you had to go to the hospital

[avalen]

I don't, I just grab my purse, I can always have daughter just bring me what I need.

[Carolinagal]

Donna, my one experience, my RV was parked in employees parking lot at hospital and nurse ran down and got personal things I needed once I was aware of where I was. I had mine and Maggies meds on counter for easy use and her food was right there too, so when Maggie was taken somewhere safe for the week, person saw all of this and it all went with her. I didn't even drive my RV there, everything worked out.

While living in an RV, I wouldn't worry much about stuff for hospital because most times your things are handy and when you're really ill, the right people who can be trusted are there. Or we all hope they are.

A packed bag in my RV would be in my way. so I haven't ever thought of it. Will be curious as to answers you might get. If you take meds a note on your frig, of where they are and what, might be useful. Hospitals don't normally let you use your meds. Maybe info about your Maggie,

CArol

[JudyJB]

I don't but that is one of my fears--that I will end up in the hospital without my cell phone and charger or laptop, or most importantly, my own nightgowns. I was once hospitalized for 12 days when I lived in my condo. It was not expected, and I did not take a lot of nightgowns or underwear with me. My son drove in from Ohio a couple of times, but he had no way to get laundry back to me because it was a 3+ hour drive. It was good enough of him to keep driving to see me such a long distance. I had no clean nightgowns and I really hate the hospital gowns. Finally I sent dirty things home with a friend and she washed them and sent them back with another friend. I was hooked up to too many IVs to shower, so she washed my hair in the sink, which was wonderful.

The two times I have really been sick, I did pack a bag in case I had to call 911 and put my laptop in its carry case near the door with all chargers. I brought along 5 old short sleeve nightgowns in my RV so that if I end up in a hospital again, I can at least grab them easily. (I can throw old nightgowns out if I have to.). Luckily I have no pets because that would be a worry. (I will not throw old pets out!! )

I do keep a medical history, family contact info, and list of my meds in a handy place. I also carry a copy in my purse. I know I should put them on the refrigerator, but I need to get one of those containers that stick on.

I will tell you a story about a good friend of mine. She had gone to urgent care and they gave her antibiotics but missed that she had rampant pneumonia. That evening she had trouble breathing and called 911. She vaguely remembers someone telling her to open the door, and the next thing she remembers is waking up two days later in intensive care. When the ER people came to get her they had no idea how to contact family or what meds she had been taking or what medical conditions she had because she lived alone. One daughter was in Oregon and the other lived in Washington DC. When she found out, one daughter drove all night from DC and the other flew in with a very expensive ticket from Oregon. I told her she should have called me or another friend so her family did not panic.

The lesson is that those of us who live alone need to post this information somewhere it can be easily found.

[monik7]

I brought along 5 old short sleeve nightgowns in my RV so that if I end up in a hospital again, I can at least grab them easily. Luckily I have no pets because that would be a worry. (I can throw them out if they are dirty.)

Judy, I know what you meant, but your last sentence gave me a giggle - and my Krissi and little Abby asked if they could have a bath today.
Sandi

[JudyJB]

Ok. Fixed so no pets are thrown out!

[gingerK]

My MIL has a packet that attaches to her refrigerator containing a list of all her medications and she also has a sticker on her front door telling first responders that it is there so they know to look for it (she's still in her own home so not in an rv but I think it would be good for an rv, too).

I have 2 ICE's in my cell phone: (I)n (C)ase of (E)mergency, one is numbered 1 and is my husband's cell phone number. 2nd is my son's cell phone. If I am in an accident or incapacitated first responders can look in my phone's contact list and call my ICEs. They look like this: ICE1 555-000-0000 and ICE2 555-000-0000.

Some people have what you describe, a bag they call a "bug out bag" with essentials in case they need to leave their home (or rv) quickly. I think it is a good idea to have ready. If you have pets, you should have a bag for them too, with their food, meds and pertinent papers such as vaccination records. I would even go so far as to have photos of your pets in case you are separated from them for some reason (that idea is from the horse world; they even suggest you paint your phone number on your horse in case of a disaster such as a wildfire or a tornado, but that's a bit much for a dog or cat, I think!)

[gingerK]

Sandi, you didn't throw the "babies" out with the bathwater, I hope!

[monik7]

Sandi, you didn't throw the "babies" out with the bathwater, I hope!

No never, but Judy's comment managed to cause the first time they ever ASKED for a bath
Sandi

[gingerK]

Sandi, you didn't throw the "babies" out with the bathwater, I hope!

No never, but Judy's comment managed to cause the first time they ever ASKED for a bath
Sandi

We need a "like" button! Ha ha!

[Liz]

Donna, I don't keep a bag, but I hope you are ok or got checked out today. That must have been scary. I used to keep ICE info on my frig., but haven't in a long time. Should do that again I guess.

[Bethers]

No bag for me - might wish to should something happen, but the times I've been hospitalized I've never been lucky enough to have one. One time, straight to the doctor from work then straight to the hospital. Only times I got to take anything were planned visits. Having my own pj's in the hospital is the last thing I'd care about. I spent a month hospitalized once, and actually got to like the hospital gowns (and hate them at the same time) because I could get a new one as often as I liked. If I was sweating - asked for and got another - time and again.

That said, the things I'd like to have, would only be in a bag if I put it together every night before bed and then that's when something occurred - and that wouldn't work as far as my phone (which sits on the shelf above me in bed) - and my computer or pads wouldn't make it in the bag ... so I guess should it happen, I'll hope someone will be able to go grab a few things for me. I don't have to worry (knocking on wood) about meds.

Like Liz, I kept the ICE info for a long time handy - but haven't recently. I need to make sure I put it on this phone.

My biggest concern would be that Peaches be taken care of - so will have to think of putting together something for her and then a place to put it that would be easily spotted.