Things I used at the castle

Here are the things that I used the most when I was at the castle--most were suggestions from this site:

-a sports bottle to drink from
-my own bottle of hand sanitizer
-chapstick
-a box of GASX melting strips (a LIFESAVER! I used almost the whole box!)
-a bottle of colase (started taking them as soon as I was allowed to eat)
-peppermint gum and peppermints
-listerine breath strips
-CD player (I don't have an IPOD)
-a small pillow to splint my incision

What I did not use:

-my own socks and blanket--I was HOT most of the time-I wore the hospital socks when I walked and just wore their gowns and those mesh panties they provide.
-book and magazine--I could not focus well--I watched TV
-my own pads--theirs were wider and worked better--I used one against my incision, too


I took home-made snacks for the preop staff, the OR staff and the nursing staff who took care of me(VERY appreciated!) and had a jar of candy in my room. I left the jar and an extra bag of candy with the nurses when I left.