Emergency Looks

Since the end of October, I have spent most of my time caring for Mr. Mickey. After follow-up biopsies for bladder cancer, he developed an infection that continued until we visited the ER five times, and he was admitted to the hospital twice. I’m happy to report that he is recovering, so I can relax and share some tips. Below is today’s start-to-finish look as I head out into the snow to sit with Mr. M. for the day.

I’ve talked to many nurses lately, and they all leave their work shoes in the garage and make sure their pants are shorter so they never touch the floor. I wore these jeans a few times with flat loafers and socks since the length is shorter than those I usually wear. The booties are a stand-in for the loafers in the garage right now. (I clean the soles with alcohol when I get home.)

I like to be prepared to throw on clothes and rush out the door. With three loved ones who are ninety or nearly, I always have a ready-to-go outfit hanging on my rolling rack or an over-the-door hook. All the items can be thrown in the wash when I get home. My go-to look is comfortable jeans, a long-sleeve tee or forever sweater, a cardigan, and warm socks with flat loafers. The colors are neutral, and the layers can be added or removed for comfort. Outerwear for your weather is also imperative for the long walks to and from the parking lot.

Emergency Room visits are always traumatic, but one way I deal with the stress is to have a large handbag or tote ready to pack with things I and the patient may need, such as insurance cards, ID, a charge card, a list of medications, and extra underwear. Cough drops, tissues, hand cream, a bottle of water, and lip balm can make a big difference when sitting by your loved one for many hours. Don’t forget a hair brush, toothbrush and paste. Phones and chargers, as well as eyeglasses and cases, are must-haves. A book is also a great comfort while the patient is sleeping.

I recently purchased a pair of Bomba compression socks here. They are great for support and comfort. The day I wore them, my varicose veins were much less noticeable, and my legs didn’t ache, so I ordered three more pairs as soon as I got home.

For those who rarely see snow, it has been falling here all morning. That’s the view from our deck today.

The items I didn’t link to are from previous seasons or years, so they are no longer available. However, you may already have something similar. Shopping links on my site allow me to earn a small commission without costing you anything.