Did you read in the hospital?

I haven't had time to round up any reading material even though that is the #1 thing I am looking forward to doing after I leave the hospital. I can get books and magazines later, but I'm wondering about the hospital stay. Maybe I shouldn't even worry about this... reading matter is so heavy and bulky. I did see one post where a sister said she never took her book out of her bag. Can anyone else comment on this? Did you want to read while you were in the castle or did you just stare at your TV in a daze? If you did read, what did you feel up to reading?

(I'm supposed to be an inpatient only 3 to 4 days, but when I had my myomectomy they kept me an extra day due to persistent fever. I am the physically sensitive type and I think my body is quick to spike a fever in response to any insult or as part of the inflammatory process; there was never any indication of an infectious cause. So I won't be surprised if that happens again. The other thing I remember that makes me think I'd better have stuff to read is that I barely slept a wink the whole time I was in there. This time I'm definitely bringing earplugs and an eye mask as suggested here.)

When I had my surgery I took a couple of magazines with me but I too never even unpacked them. Didn't really feel the urge to read although I love to. My hubby brought me the local newspaper daily and I did manage to flip through it - just so I wouldn't feel to out of touch with things. That's about all I felt like focusing on! The rest of the time I was either walking up and down the halls or listening to the tv. But I'd say that if there's any chance of your stay being longer than anticipated it won't hurt to throw some light reading material in your bag. Better safe than sorry! Good luck on your surgery !!!!

Hi there,

I had purchased books etc to read as I love to read but frankly I didn't have the required concentration. I did try and I felt well enough but thats as far as I could go. So instead I spent my day walking the hallway and sitting chatting to the older lady in the next bed. Perhaps take some music to listen too.

Wishing you all the best...........Karen

I was able to flip through magazines....my book didn't leave the duffle bag. I only used my iPod once, but I did enjoy that.....I had a private room, so was able to doze freely - nice!!!

I read , feel lost without a book in progress. I took a book and some magazines with me to the hospital and just didn't have the concentration to manage even flipping through the magazines. I finally just put them aside and turned on the tv. I mostly slept.

S

yes, take a book! i'm an avid reader, and when i wasn't sleeping, i read. i didn't watch tv much as it's not something i do normally and didn't interest me. i watched the tv in the evening. but i didn't like the tv during the day. i read an entire book and was glad i had it. i just tucked it in close to me and would read as a good distraction. i can't remember what i was reading (hysterectomy was 2+ years ago), but it was one of my 'normal' fiction books. i also brought a couple of magazines which were good to have as well. best wishes.

I took books, magazines, puzzle books and I'm glad I did. I told DH to go to work as I figured I'd be sleeping. I'm glad I brought them as my roomie kept me up all night. She then complained so loudly that the next day there was an entire parade of hospital personell in and out of our room all morning. And, my urogyn didn't get to his rounds till 4:30 that day. I alternated between walking, reading my book (it was just a light read, nothing serious) and my magazine. I would have gone stir crazy without it!

I took my book, but my eyes couldn't focus enough to even think about reading...couldn't even focus enough to read the news bylines on CNN at the bottom of the screen. When I was awake I was either talking to the nurses, DH or trying to pee or walk or eat.
Good Luck.
Lis

Hi there!

I went into the on Monday and was released on Thursday. My recollection of my ability to, um, concentrate on anything is as follows: On Monday -- forget it. I barely knew there WAS a hospital around me! Seriously -- surgery day I was doing nothing other than pushing the pain button and sucking on those little foam things (nothing else by mouth ). I don't remember if the TV was on or not.

Tuesday, my job was to get out of bed... which I did (sort of). I managed to figure out how to run the remote control on the TV, but I was sooo tired! I think I got out and walked once or twice.

Wednesday, I became the walking queen. I walked several times, graduated to full diet, and ordered a big dinner (including two desserts!). Felt ALMOST like I could do more than just run the remote and order dinner, but not quite.

Thursday, I finally read my People magazine. Nice, light stuff -- nothing more taxing for my brain than burning questions like will Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston stay together? (they were married then)

You could bring a few dollars (I wouldn't bring anything more than $5) and buy a magazine as they come through each day. Also, most hospitals now have movies you can borrow to watch if you don't like watching normal TV fare.

Hope this helps!

I was very glad to have a book with me, because my 11:30 surgery time was pushed back to 3:00!! My dh read the book aloud to me (we got the bestseller, "90 minutes in Heaven", by Don Piper). It was a great choice as all the nurses came over and wanted to hear about it, too!

Brenda