"Honey, I think I need to take you to the ER." "No, please, can we wait just a little bit longer?"
I've had my fair share of trips to the ER. Never for the normal reasons that someone ends up in a paediatric emergency room like a fall off a bike, reckless play fighting, or a scary cough. No, I came in with fevers, abdominal pain, and fainting. I resist going to the ER with every fibre of my being. I put off walking through those doors as long as I can for several reasons: the long wait, the uncomfortable beds, the procedures, but mostly I detest having to work with a new health care professional on account of my medical history being so complicated and specific. The poor ER doctors have to learn a LOT about in a very short period of time, and sometimes when I'm too sick, that can prove to be difficult.
Regardless, after all my trips I've learned to pack like an expert, to make the experience a little more bearable.
These are my top 10 items to bring to a visit to the emergency room, in no particular order:
- Comfortable Clothing
- Once, I fainted white volunteering as a research assistant and got taken to the ER via ambulance. I was wearing a dress and heels. WORST ER TRIP EVER. Your best bet is to wear comfy clothes like sweat pants, yoga pants, tank tops and bring a sweater that zips up (easy IV access). This will keep you from getting uncomfortable during your visit.
- Cell Phone Charger
- Lots of hospital rooms have extra outlets designed for medical machines, but if they're not in use, save your battery and plug it in. You want to be able to text or call people when you find things out.
- List of Medications/Therapies
- This should be saved in your wallet, or even better as a list on your phone. It should include medication names, dosages, and how long you have been taking it. That way when the fourth person asks for your medications, you can just rattle them off like a skilled auctioneer.
- Lip balm/Lotion
- Hospital air is super dry from air conditioning, heat, and purification. You may not be allowed to drink water, so lotion and lip balm are often a saviour in those parched conditions.
- Clean Underwear
- Sometimes, you just need to feel fresh after hours of sitting or lying in one spot. Not to mention I'd be lying if I said I'd never lost a pair of panties in the hustle and bustle of a health care centre.
- Slip On Shoes
- If you need tests done, sometimes you're asked to go to them. Quickly. Slip on shoes like clogs, sandals, or moccasins make it easy for you to get up and go, so you can get well and get out.
- Book
- You can only play so many levels of Angry Birds before you go a little crazy. A book provides non-repetitive entertainment. Chances are if you're a student, you will have readings for class to do, if not, just read for please. It's fun.
- Headphones
- Whether it's to tune out your room mate's incessant cough or to put on a relaxation app, headphones provide a tiny little world for your mind to go into when the ER becomes too much to handle. Just make sure its not so loud that when a nurse or doctor comes in to talk to you, you can still hear them.
- Hair Elastics
- A number of medical procedures and tests will have you in the most odd positions. "Lie this way, now flip over, move your leg here, we're going to put you upside down". If you're a lady with long locks (like myself) go for a topknot on your head. It keeps your hair out of your way and if you're on your back won't painfully dig into your head.
- Patience
- Try to be patient. ER trips can be really long (I've waited for 8 hours before). Just remember that you're there for a reason, and the more helpful you are to the medical staff, the more helpful they will be to you. It's very difficult, but in the long run it will be the best option.
