Friday Tidbits: 10 Beauty and Hospitalization Tips

Considering that I'm in the hospital today and, at the very least, tomorrow as well, I thought I'd address a few hospital tips for those with CFIDS/ME/CFS and fibromyalgia, for a more "successful" stay.   Yes, I'm trying awfully hard to get this "Friday Tidbits" going and on schedule to boot!  Ah, what dedication!  (Ah, what boredom and a bit of nerves as well, I freely admit!)

1. Bringing earplugs with you can be heaven-sent if you are sensitive to sound.  I finally found a brand and type I love, Mack's "Dreamgirl Soft Foam Earplugs" (available at drugstore.com).  Normally, I feel earplugs are too uncomfortable to bother with, but these are really unbelievably comfy.

2. Eye masks are great for light sensitivity since it's never really dark in a hospital. I found a pretty generic type and for the first time ever, I'm not only able to tolerate it, but actually enjoy wearing one, even at home when I happen to finally fall asleep during the day. This is truly amazing since I hate most things on my face. I bought the "Body Benefits Satin Sleep Eye Mask," at drugstore.com.

3.  In my down time, to deflect from not sleeping and to try to ignore the pain, as well as the dreaded surgery to come (let's get it over with NOW is my feeling!) I've started in on my DIY facials, much like the long-haul flight treatments I discussed when flying out to Malaysia. I'm doing a good cleansing - hitting those pores and hyperpigmentation with everything I have! - along with exfoliation, treatment masks, serums, and other treatments like SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic Acid (see this link for my reviews here and here ) with moisturizer or Liquid Gold without moisturizer.  I'm indulging in the Sisley Express Flower Gel Mask, as well as my personal Hall of Famer, Elemis' "Papaya Enzyme Peel Mask" - not all at the same time, of course!  In other words, as I wait, I'm doing "the works" and enjoying "being a girl."   Who knew a hospital could be used as a spa???

Of course, I'm sure that later today, post-op, DYI's will be the last thing on my mind but as I stayed up all night with my usual insomnia and my out-the-wazoo pain, I'm trying to have some fun and trying to keep my patience to whatever maximum I'm capable of, which is, and always has been, almost zilch!  I've already experimented with one round of makeup and may be up for a second round if I get too bored and can summon the energy to go there again.  Actually, I'll try just about anything to make the waiting time go by faster!  And with the micellar water, it'll take just seconds to get any cosmetics off for the surgery once a slot becomes available.  (Yes, I'm shallow, but sooo easily pleased!)

4. I'm happy with myself and annoyed with myself, both.  I'm happy in that I managed to put quite a few mini-sized products into a "travel bag" but was more or less haphazard about it, knowing there'd be no real chance of a vacation any time soon.  I hadn't anticipated hospitalizations, however.  (Where IS that so-called brain of mine?)  So, after I was settled in my room, hubby made a mad dash home with an extensive list and had to scour cabinets and drawers for certain products and clothing, electronic devices, chargers.  You'd think I'm in here for, at the very least, a two-week stay!  Thankfully, he didn't need to start from scratch, but it was still quite a scavenger hunt.  The real basics were there, however, in one place, so, hallelujah!

5. I love flip flops for hospitals.  They are easy for "on and off" and afford more skid-free walking than slippers or those socks with "grips" on them.  But don't go for the real cheapo kind which are harder to walk in and cause any number of problems, such as blisters.

6. Try bringing a notebook: they're great for all sorts of things!  For example, I like to keep track of my vitals, even how I'm feeling. I should, actually, list symptoms but that's just so beyond me at the moment. Back to my "vitals," I came in on Thursday with a BP of 90/45 but am now, on Friday very early morning, at an unheard of - for me - 145/90 and 142/98, due to the pain factor.  If I hadn't written these numbers down, I'd question my memory, and rightfully so, because of fibro-brain.  I also make lists of questions for doctors and nurses, which meds I'm given and when - ESPECIALLY my pain meds - and who my nurses are/were because inevitably someone will ask me, somewhere at sometime about something saying, "well, who told you THAT?" and I have no clue.

7. I like to bring a bunch of my own washcloths and hand towels, and in colors other than white.  The washcloths and towels that hospitals carry abrade the skin all too easily, or bring on rashes and even hives.  So, I bring my own and in order to not lose them, in a color as far from white as possible.  I use a hand towel to dry my body since do you REALLY need a bath towel?

8. I'm loving those sponges on a stick which are used to moisten your mouth and lips - no water allowed, now going on well over 48 hours so far, and ice chips monitored closer than any restaurant chef with his precious truffles!  I think I'll try to get those for home use as well since the various lip balms I have are simply not enough.  Perhaps these little sponges can work synergistically with lip balms?  One can only hope!

9. Micellar Water, especially my beloved Bioderma, is a life-saver if you can't get out of bed for a good facial cleanse. I wash off the Bioderma with a damp washcloth and then put on a serum followed by a treatment (anti-aging or hyperpigmentation, for example), followed by a good moisturizer.

10. Since the air is so dry, I'm also using a "water-in-a-can" such as Evian or Avene. Its fine mist helps a bit with the very dry eyes I have going from so many pain meds, so every little trick helps!

So, there you have it!  I'm not sure when I'll be back since so much depends on how the surgery and recovery goes, fibro-brain the biggest concern, of course! Hopefully, I won't have too much down time - I wouldn't want you to miss me too much! (Joke!)

Wishing all a super weekend with everyone feeling their absolute best, only better. Caio and paka!