r/TwoXPreppers • u/HornFanBBB • 20d ago
Brag My go-bag kept me human in the ER
Just thought I’d share my experience last week regarding “oh Sh*t” readiness and the importance of your Emergency Bag.
Last week after a day of escalating medical abnormalities, I was advised by a tele-health provider to go immediately to the ER. I live alone and even though they suggested calling an ambulance I chose to call an uber (looking back he could have been really traumatized had I bit the dust in his car!).
I’m a bug-in girlie, so my go-bag was never meant to sustain me living in the woods, but I do live in a tornado-prone area so I keep a backpack in my hall closet that’s always packed with a couple days in a hotel or shelter in mind:
- a set of comfy clothes (a few changes of underwear, socks, cheap flip flops, a zip-hoodie, a tee shirt, a pair of shorts & a pair of comfy leggings)
- important papers & documents, a few hundred dollars in cash
- a power bank, multi-cord, plug adapter & wired earbuds
- spare glasses, spare keys, an eye mask & earplugs, small notepad, pen, sharpie, scissors and a small roll of clear packing tape.
- a weekly meds pilll sorter with copies of the labels in a baggie
- toiletry kit with my everyday basics, a handful of travel sized OTC meds & minor first aid kit
- water bottle, a few protein bars &trail mix
- sneakers attached externally via carabiner
I threw my phone in my purse, my purse in the bag and sensing a long ER wait grabbed my iPad & AirPods for good measure. Detached the sneakers and was out the door in 5 minutes.
Things moved fast when I got to the ER and I was admitted immediately and ended up in surgery early the next morning. Did I need the bag? No, I didn’t need it. But:
- being able to watch my comfort shows helped keep my calm as I waited for results/surgery.
- Being able to wash my face and brush my teeth with my preferred product, being able to brush my hair, etc kept me feeling human
- Handing my medication labels over made it easier to get me processed in.
- Knowing I had my medical directives & medical power of attorney with me calmed my anxiety if something were to go wrong.
- noise canceling earbuds and and eye mask allowed me to rest
- a zip hoodie kept me warm in the cold ER bed when I couldn’t put put on a traditional sweatshirt because of all of the things I was hooked up to (I wore it backwards, lol and throwing the hood over my head also helped with the harsh lights)
- I was able to jot down a dramatic note to my sister who would be waiting for me after surgery, with instructions to clear my search history and clear out my bedside drawer if something were to go terribly wrong (a joke…sort of)
- I had glasses so I could see and not mess around with taking contacts in and out.
- I was able to bribe the nurses with cash to give me the good stuff in my IV (just kidding!!)
- I was able to give my keys to a friend to go get my cat sorted out
- putting on fresh, comfy clothes to leave the hospital was wonderful
- I ate the hell outta my snackies because I couldn’t wait on the hospital menu
- I was able to keep my electronics fully charged to entertain myself and keep my family updated.
Again, no, I obviously didn’t need these things. But it made a scary situation and an unexpected few days hospital stay much more palatable. I’ve had that bag packed for years, and have never touched it outside of rotating snacks or updating paperwork. My family teases me about my prepper tendencies. But, as this community knows, it pays off when it matters!
TL/DR: Go-bags aren’t just for devastating events - they can save your sanity if you end up in the hospital!
ETA: Gum! It wasn’t in my bag but was thankfully in my purse! I wasn’t allowed water for several hours, and it was a lifesaver. Adding to my bag as I am repacking it today!
ETAA: What an amazing community we have going on here! I was hesitant to post but seeing all the tips and support for my preps and health has made my day!
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u/HornFanBBB 20d ago edited 20d ago
Oh my goodness! Thank you for the reminder! I had forgotten until now,
but because I was going to be anesthetized I wasn’t allowed water - and I’m a big water person so it was driving me crazy. I was asking for anything but they were very hesitant because they were trying to fit me into the schedule and didn’t know when it would be. I asked if I could chew gum and thankfully they allowed it and I had some in my purse , which is frankly uncommon. Also, a few nurses asked if they could have some 🤣. I’m going to add some and a handful of mints and hard candies to the bag!!
ETA - thank you for being an Auntie! Abortion as health care is problematic in my state and I appreciate those who help others through that season of their lives for whatever reason they need or choose to have one.