To Pack/To Do lists

We are so anal. Please let us know what we may be forgetting.

To pack for the overnight hospital stay (don’t want to take too much)

• Jammies (button front and loose)
  
• Socks (won’t need; they give you those non-skid socks)
  
• Slippers with non-skid soles
  
• Toothbrush and paste
  
• Comb
  
• Radio Walkman with headphones (Venita listens to NPR)
  
• Kleenex
  
• Book
  
• Glasses wipes
  
• Hand wipes
  
• Clothes to wear home, including sports bra to hold the chest dressing
  
• Safety pins and shoestrings to support the drains
  
• Sarna lotion (we understand morphine makes one itch)
  
• Passwords in case Venita can get onto the Internet

To do before surgeries. We are especially trying to think of things that Jim will have to do for Venita because she will be on the floor of the house with her bedroom, bathroom, and office. She may not have access to the kitchen (one floor below) or the litter boxes or laundry (two floors below) for some time. Some of these things may seem unnecessary, but remember that Jim doesn’t live with Venita.

Teach Jim:

• The cat feeding and pilling routines (thank God Max is off insulin)
  
• How to clean litter boxes and cat puke
  
• How to operate the microwave, coffee maker, garbage disposal, clothes washer and dryer, thermostat
  
• Where food stuffs, pots, utensils, toaster, and tea kettle are
  
• Where water shut offs and electric box are
  
• How to fill the humidifier

Stock into the house:

• Food, especially bland food (like yogurt, cottage cheese, soup) and clear liquids.
  
• Litter and cat food (done)
  
• Button up shirts and loose fitting pants
  
• Household supplies, like laundry detergent

Stock into Venita’s bed and bathrooms:

• Magazines and books
  
• Extra pillows, towels, washcloths, paper towels, toilet paper, and toiletries
  
• Thank you cards, stamps, pen, and note paper
  
• A large trash can and folders so that Venita can sort the mail as it comes in
  
• A phone and phone book
  
• A list of frequently called phone numbers
  
• A portable TV and a radio
  
• Max’s BG testing equipment
  
• Venita’s medicines and the pill splitter
  
• Venita’s appointment book
  
• Cat food and plates in case the cats want nighttime feedings
  
• Some sort of signaling device to get Jim’s attention if he’s not hearing Venita call, maybe one of those bicycle air horns (we don’t have walkie talkies or cell phones)

Other:

• Take Jim to the grocery store so he knows where Venita’s favorite things are
  
• Put Venita’s medicines in individual baggies and label each as to name, purpose, and dosage (split pills that she sometimes takes in half doses)
  
• Arrange for a friend to come in to feed the cats when we will be away from the house for more than 6 hours
  
• Pay all bills that will come due within 3 weeks of surgery
  
• Put a phone into the room where Jim will spend most of his time
  
• Put the phone on maximum number of rings before it rolls to voicemail
  
• Designate a contact person who Jim can call to update and who can in turn update FDMB friends on the Community Board during the time Venita can’t get into the Internet
  
• Disable comment moderation on the Blog
  
• Ask Steve to repost the FDMB update onto the Blog