How to survive in hospital

This is a general guide from the generally silent partner of the happycouple.
Hospital admissions are never good and never looked forward to but with a little planning(and some help) it can make the time bearable.
Have a small bag packed with a few things in case of emergencies, if a planned admission these are still usefull things to have:
1. Earplugs, I preffer the waxy ones(boots) as they are more effective than the sponge. hospiitals are noisy places and a good nights sleep is important.
2. Spare toiletries, toothbrush, toothpaste, pleasant shampoo, hair brush(comb) and some nice cologne or perfume.If a bloke a razor (hospital ones are cheap and blunt easily) for women some simple make up if worn. These may seem trivial at the begining but are vital in the post-op/recovery period(if you are unable to do these things and the nurses are too busy get a relative/friend to help) as they improve your mood and help you to feel "normal".
3.Something to occupy your mind. I like easy to read novels(dont try deep or "hard"novels as you may find it hard to concentrate), fairly easy puzzle books, magazines etc. The ward has a structured day, and sometimes it can seem along time and there is only so much sleeping you can do.
4.Night attire, now I normally sleep au naturell(sorry to put that thought there, but hey what can you do) so I have several hospital pajamas. They fit unlike the ones that may be provided. Gentelmen please ensure all lower buttons are closed. A dressing gown is also useful.
5.Slippers, the hospital floors are kept clean to the best of their ability but there may be unreported "spills" that in hospital you do not want to tread on.

Those are the main things, other stuff you may find useful if a little cumbersome is things like pillows(hospitals never have enough and they are covered in pastic for hygiene reasons which makes you sweat) keep a close eye on your covers as they may get thrown in the general wash and that is it mate,they are gone.

Also, depending on the hospital and willingness of partner get them, to bring the occasional meal in. Remember you may not be able to reheat it or store it in the fridge for health and safety reasons. that said it has been a vital lifeline for me when my appetite is small and my lovely wife brings me a flask of something home made that I love, or even home made sandwiches. Try to avoid too many sweet things and crisps etc as comfort eating may take over. Fruit is nice but can be too much to cope with so maybe the occasional fruit salad. This is good for many things including the digestive system. Some drugs that are given and the fact that you are spending much of your time with little activity may "stop things up" so fruit and wholewheat breakfast are great.
well thats about it, I am willing to listen to any suggestions as sadly I am in and out far too often.