You wouldn't understand exactly how much thought goes into packing for a two week, and sometimes longer, stay in hospital. There are so many things to remember and it cannot be done as a last minute rush job...no, no, no, there is too much at stake to forget to pack something, because if it doesn't go in the beginning then NiQi has to do without it for the entire time she is there. No longer are there daily trips from home to hospital to visit as when she was admitted to Steve Biko hospital, the journey these days is too long and too costly. We are grateful that going to Charlotte Maxeke hospital has come at a time in her life when she is older and no longer needs me to be with her every day. That said, if she was extremely ill, as happened last year and the year before that, then I would make a plan and find someone to stay with and Johan would have to run things here at home...and he is probably counting his blessings that it hasn't happened yet...lol In peak hour traffic, from home to Charlotte Maxeke is a 2 hour journey and at any other time, just over an hour. At R300 for fuel per trip, plus now our much talked about 'e-tolls', it can work out to be quite a pretty penny, so you will understand why these days we do not visit every day.
The size of NiQi's suitcase has not only increased but it has also gone from one to two, plus a bag...hehe. There is a list, a list that has to be checked and double checked and triple checked, just to be certain that nothing is left behind. The list goes like this:
Underwear - enough to not have to do washing every day
Pyjamas/track pants/shorts
Tops/jerseys
slippers
toiletries - includes: soap, flannel, toothpaste, tooth brush, mouthwash, shampoo, conditioner, facial cleanser etc, towel/s
things to do - includes: games, a book to read, pen and paper, crafts, ipad, laptop, cell phone, cords, chargers and plug adapters
food - 'cos what the hospital gives is not always the greatest or enough - this includes: cereals, long life milk, sugar, tea, coffee, juice, frozen meals, bread, rolls, Fray Bentos, peanut butter, jam, biscuits, rusks, chips, shakes
extras - includes: toaster, kettle, washing powder, medicines, nebulizer chamber and pipe, masks, kangaroo pump, pillow, blanket, plate, bowl, mug, glass, cutlery.
So as you see there is much to be remembered and this time with it being just before Christmas and no time to shop when she arrives home, the malls have been trawled and gifts selected; paper, ribbons, labels, scissors and sellotape lie all over the place as each item is carefully wrapped...it has been an organized week so far.....
what her room looks like when food unpacked
kangaroo pump
chaos and the large case
folded...
still sorting and folding...
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