Last updated on March 3rd, 2023 at 01:02 pm

When someone you love needs to be in the hospital, you need the ultimate hospital waiting room survival kit to keep you entertained, and sane!

Recently, my husband had to be in the hospital for an extended period of time, and it would have been rough even if we weren’t in the middle of a pandemic. 

Diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome, the solution is to remove the offending top rib that’s too close to the collarbone and causing blood clots and damage to blood vessels. 

His surgery was scheduled for 6-8 hours, which is a long time to try and entertain yourself. Because of the current pandemic I could have dropped him off and left, but I preferred to stay and talk to the Doctor after the procedure was done. 

We live a little over an hour away from the hospital, so I wanted to stay close. Even if I couldn’t see him afterwards (or at all until he was discharged!)

I didn’t know I couldn’t see him afterward until he checked in, so I was prepared for a long stay. 

So aside from packing masks and the volume of hand sanitizer/wipes I’ve brought, this is the ultimate hospital waiting room survival kit. And it can work anytime (not just during a pandemic!)! 

Entertainment: The Ultimate Hospital Waiting Room Survival Kit

This should go without saying, but you’re going to need something to entertain you no matter how long the wait will be

• Work Computer
  • I know this isn’t really “entertainment”, but I’ll do some work while I’m waiting that doesn’t need too much brain power
  • Make sure you bring your charger, and any to-do lists or notes you need 
    
    
• Personal Computer
  • This is more entertainment than your work computer! 
  • Because blogging isn’t my full-time job, I like to have both my work and personal computer on me 
  • Don’t forget your personal computer charger too if they’re different brands!
    
    
• iPad
  • I realize this is an excessive amount of electronics, but I use them for different purposes! 
  • I like to use my iPad for reading books, and doodle in drawing apps like Adobe Fresco 
    
    
• Books/magazines
  • If you’re the type who likes to hold and read physical books, bring whatever you’re currently reading and maybe a backup if you don’t have much left 
  • I had a couple magazines because they’re small. I knew there was no way I could fit books into my already packed backpack
    
    
• Headphones
  • Being able to watch Netflix, YouTube or listen to music is a great way to pass the time. But don’t be that person without headphones and annoys everyone around them

Snacks + Drinks

You have to eat! Most hospitals have a cafeteria to get food and drinks, but you never know what they’re going to have, and it’ll probably be more expensive. 

I have enough snacks for a small army, but I maintain I had no idea how long I was going to be here for. I assumed I would be bringing snacks with me every day for a week while visiting. 

A mix between healthy snacks and not-so-healthy snacks is great, because if I’m going to stress-snack, I might as well have options. 

• Chips/Pretzels/Crunchy Snacks
  • I love crunchy snacks, so getting a big variety pack was right up my alley
  • Made sure to get one with Cool Ranch Doritos for Mike, but the rest is for me
    
    
• Popcorn
  • Another great snack, and relatively healthy
  • Some mix packs have popcorn in them too, but I’m picky so I got a separate snack pack of SkinnyPop
    
    
• Beef Jerky
  • I love beef jerky to start with, but wanted to make sure I had something with protein in it to help keep me full 
    
    
• Raisins 
  • This is my attempt at being healthy – raisins are fruit! I knew if I bought actual fruit like apples, bananas, etc. that I probably wouldn’t eat it
    • Plus, there was zero room in my bag
      
• Mixed Nuts
  • Another great option for protein to stay full throughout the day
    
    
• Chocolate Covered Almonds
  • I knew at some point I was going to want a sweet snack, so I tried to keep it healthy-ish again and not just straight up candy
  • I love candy, but I know I won’t feel great if I eat too much of it and I’m going to need some stamina 
    
    
• KIND Bars
  • KIND Bars give you the best of both worlds – salty and sweet! 
  • I’m a big fan of the Dark Chocolate Nuts and Sea Salt and the Dark Chocolate Chewy Minis
    • I usually have at least one of these in my bag at all times just in case I need snack
      
      
• Water Bottle
  • I carry my Hydro Flask EVERYWHERE with me, and am always drinking water
  • Make sure you have something to drink and stay hydrated!

The Ultimate Hospital Waiting Room Survival Kit: Keep it Clean

Even if we weren’t in the middle of a pandemic, I think a lot of these things would be helpful. Because sometimes just being in a hospital at any time feels kind of icky. 

• Clorox Wipes
  • I bought a ton of these before our trip to Disney World (great timing!) and they come in really handy anywhere you go
    • I wiped down the plane seats and tv screen with them before we even sat down 
  • In the waiting room before even sitting down, I wiped down the table and chairs I was going to park myself at
    • This is a well-known hospital, so I feel confident they do a good job cleaning, but I’d rather be safe than sorry! 
      
      
• Hand Sanitizer
  • I’ve used this hand sanitizer since my daughter was born, so thankfully I had a couple bottles of this on hand too
  • Smells great and doesn’t dry out my hands, which I appreciate since it gets used often
    
    
• Masks
  • So, I’m probably a psycho, but I have different kinds of masks with me
  • I thought while in the hospital, it was the time to layer
  • I bought two different kinds of disposable masks too
    • Disposable face masks that come in bulk (pretty much)
    • Plus I brought out the big guns and got N95 masks
      • I have no idea if they’re the same as hospitals use (I’m going to assume not), but offer a good amount of protection

Odds and Ends

The last random things I like to have on hand, because you never know what you might need

• Colgate Wisps 
  • With a mask, it’s unlikely anyone will smell my bad breath, but it’s nice to use one of these to just freshen up a little bit
    
    
• GUM Soft-Picks
  • These are great to have on hand anytime too. You never know when you’re going to get food stuck in your teeth. Even if you have a mask on, it’s still super annoying! 
    
    
• Tide To-Go Wipes
  • Another one that isn’t necessary for the hospital, but great to have on hand anyway
  • I’m notoriously messy, so the odds are I end up with food on my clothes somehow is pretty high
    
    
• Pain Reliever
  • Whatever kind you like to use, because you never know when a headache will strike!
    
    
• First Aid Kit
  • It’s kind of funny that I’d recommend a first aid kit while you’re in a hospital, but who knows if they’d have a bandaid at the ready if you need one?

Do you see what I mean about my backpack and purse being totally stuffed to the max? 

What’s in your ultimate hospital waiting room survival kit? Did I miss anything? Share it with me below! 

Want to know how I prepared before the surgery for when Mike gets home? Read all about my plan-ahead meal prep planning!