When a person goes to the hospital in Italy they must bring everything they think they will need…and then some! In some areas of the country this even includes bringing your own toilet paper. On my last hospital stay I didn’t need to bring that, but I did need to bring my own coffee cup if I expected to have coffee in the morning, and my own cutlery. I also had to provide my own water.

Since my trip this time will be over three weeks long (!) I need to bring a lot of things. I have a little bag which I filled with things to improve the horrible food. Like olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper, and hot sauce. Maybe this will help. We’ll see. I also have soap and a wash cloth and towel. And a bowl to use as a basin. I am bringing the noise canceling headphones we have. I had some last time and they were invaluable since my roommate had the TV on from 7am to midnight, tuned to bad Italian TV of course. I’m also bringing my own pillow. Better than the hard-as-rocks hospital pillows.

For the rehab I need clothes I can wear to work out. I got some capri length pants with wide legs so my knee will be easily accessible. I need to bring gym shoes and tee shirts too. Of course, I can get Luther to bring anything I find I need in the meantime.

Here is the array of things I’m bringing.

Note the cup, spoon and cutlery!

These are the things I’m bringing to fight the horrible, bland hospital food. Olive oil, hot sauce, balsamic vinegar and salt and pepper. I should be all set I hope.
So today is the day I check into the hospital at 4PM. The surgery is tomorrow morning. I’ll try to post later on the rest of the story!