[BeyondtheRainbow]

I know most hospitals ask you to bring a limited amount of clothing and mine does that. 3-4 outfits. Fine, I can do that. I need 2 sweatshirts as well because it is ice cold in there. And of course toiletries and a few books because it is boring in there. I do not take that much stuff.

I do take a weighted blanket which I have to have to sleep and when I get really upset I need it for calming. It's 10 lbs. so it is heavy and it's also bulky.

Nonetheless I've crammed all of this into a small suitcase.

I actually just re-packed it after finding a smaller suitcase at my mom's house. Because the hospital gets upset if your bag is too big. I know they have limited storage but neither of these 2 bags is at all large. Yet I know it matters greatly to them; I've heard them making fun of larger bags (mine).

The other thing is that chances are good that if I'm going in this week I'm going to be there for some time. (coming off Seroquel and starting clozaril or ECT. My hope is to not go in until next week. If I"m going to do ECT I'll have to wean off one med first anyway). Which makes what I have even more reasonable. I'm a long way from home when I"m IP; I don't have a fast and easy way to get stuff I don't have.

Are other places really weird about packing (keep in mind my unit keeps people an average of 5-7 days and I've been in closer to 2 weeks every time but this last one)? Anything else I want to take will have to go in my pillowcase (which is already holding my jacket which is my 3rd warm layer b/c I'll need it. 3 weeks ago I took only a single hoodie and had to wear it constantly for 6 days. If I didn't need winter clothes it would be easy to pack.)

[wiretwister]

you sound prepared ,, I pray you find the peace there you seek .... remember what ever comes you have loving friends here to come home to .... Tigger ...

[BeyondtheRainbow]

thanks Tigger. I don't know what will happen with my pdoc and I'll definitely be home tomorrow night so I'll post whatever is decided. This is a horrible week for me to have to go in b/c my mom is away and I'd have to board my cats. That is arranged but I hope to cancel it. Being here another week feeling bad would be really hard but not boarding a frail, sick cat would be less stressful. Also if I'm doing ECT I don't want to drive myself to the hospital because when I came home someone would have to come up to get me with my mom and then drive my car back since I wouldn't be allowed to drive at that point. Since it is 2 hours away that is asking a lot from someone.

But my dr may say no, it must be this week and if she does then I'll go. But I'm definitely not going tomorrow because I can't leave the cats home alone and nobody else could catch the one who is scared of everyone but me to take them to the vet for me.

Tomorrow is just a big, mixed up day. "Are you going to keep seeing me as a patient?" followed by "I have some strong opinions about where treatment is going to go next". Which she encourages but may not so much if she's transferring me to another dr. There may be many tears.Probably not because I'm so numb but it wouldn't be my first surprise from this episode.

[Victoria'smom]

Mine only allows 2 sets of clothes and a hoodie. They provide everything else including wash clothes. Anything else is sent home or locked away.

[unlived]

I'm in Australia and we can take as many clothes as we want I remember once I had 2 big sports bags and a couple of backpacks worth of stuff which were clothes toiletries books and more.

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[wildflowerchild25]

I Have no restrictions except the usual no strings, etc. I usually start small but as my stay lengthens I'll add clothes and books and stuff.

I hope if you do go in you are able to find some peace.

[vjdragonfly]

(((((BeyondtheRainbow)))) I don't know their requirements here, but I think you shouldn't be made fun of because you are coming prepared. Sorry to hear you might be going IP bbut I hope the best comes out of it.