The Carry-On You Need to Carry On

This isn't a fun fashion read or even a pithy fashion rant. It's barely fashion at all, although there are clothes involved. It helped me to write it as it might help someone in future.
 

There is one bag I thought I'd never need—the one my son threw together when I landed in the hospital after a freak pedestrian-automobile accident. I was the pedestrian. After ten days in the ICU, five in the trauma unit and two months in rehab I am home, still recovering and grateful to be alive.  

He sure did his best under the circumstances. There were some clothes and some underwear, red lipstick because he knows I always wear it, contact lens solution (but no contacts), maybe a few other things...my recall of those early days is a little foggy.

It occurred to me as time went on, especially after I entered rehab and found myself wanting to rejoin the human race, that we all need a little emergency bag because, well, you never know. If you were ever awaiting the birth of a child you probably had one packed to take to the hospital. No need to pack a copy of Dr. Spock in this one, but here is what I would have stashed in that bag if I would have known I would have needed one:

> Toothbrush (the kind you like to use)

> Toothpaste (the kind you like to use)

> Soap (the kind you like to use)

> Chapstick—You won't care about red lips but mine did get very dry.

> Comb and brush 

> Hand cream

> Nail file—nails grow and it gave me something to do 

> Very comfortable knit pants (such as loose fitting yoga pants)

> Very comfortable tops—I ended up wearing my husband's old running t-shirts. Hospital gowns are awful, ill-fitting and leave too much exposed. Depending on where or what is injured you may want to wear clothes.

> A few under garments (may or may not need or use)

> Notepad and pens

> Copies of your driver's license, Medicare card if you have one, health insurance card/cards—In fact do that now. Have copies of these easily available. There was a moment when I thought mine were lost. Getting replacements would have been HELL.

> List of people to call, from the obvious to the less-so, family (of course), close friends, your job or volunteer activities, neighbor if you live alone, primary care physician.* This list is for you if you're able, your surrogate if need be.  

> Pill case with a few days of your necessary medicines—If you can, have copies of the prescriptions or the actual containers so the hospital can match what you've been prescribed. I went an entire month without taking blood pressure medication in rehab; they couldn't understand why my blood pressure was so high. Let us say rehab was not the most efficient in the meds department. 

Your list may vary. Over time I brought in many things from home, of course, but I couldn't shake the thought that we should all have something packed JUST IN CASE... My wish to you is that it may sit there collecting dust and never be used.

*No one ever contacted my primary care physician—the hospital, my insurance or certainly me. It would have been easier to re-enter her care after the emergency had passed if she had been aware what happened. Many hospitals, clinics, etc. share patient files in those circumstances.