I am nowhere near a doctor, although I was a Dr. Mom for many years. I don’t give medical advice. This is what I have in my baskets:
- bandages of different types and sizes
- thermometers (contactless and others)
- alcohol or sterile wipes
- disposable gloves
- disposable masks
- tweezers
- pulse oximeter
- blood pressure cuff
- sterile eye drops
- aspirin
- pain relievers
- instant cold compresses
- antiseptic cream
- aloe
- hydrogen peroxide
- Epi-Pen
- gauze and tape
- scissors
- extra glucose test strips and lancets
- zip lock bags
- tissues
- cotton swabs
- hand sanitizer
- popsicle sticks
- jelly beans (pink only)
- prescription medication for 7 days (in the Rx bottle)
Since we have a number of health issues, I always make sure to keep extra prescription meds on hand, in case we need to evacuate and may not be able to get what we need. I also have one of those thermometers you aim at your forehead, plus 2 stick-under-your-tongue versions with covers, plus an old fashioned mercury one which does not need any batteries or other electronics. I have diabetes testing supplies, including alcohol wipes, lancets, test strips, and test solution. These items do expire, so I use them and replace them about every 3 months.
Why a pulse oximeter? because one of the symptoms of COVID is reduced oxygen levels. One way I manage all that is to take my blood pressure, measure my blood oxygen levels, and stay on top of my blood glucose.
Do you know how to take your blood pressure at home? You can get a battery-operated wrist thingie and use it. You have to sit still for maybe 5 minutes so your pressure will settle down, and no talking. (I tried talking and being quiet, and the difference was startling!) Your arm has to be at heart level – I put mine on my dining room table.
So here’s my morning routine. Take dog out. Coffee. Thyroid meds. Test blood sugar while I sip coffee. Oximeter. Blood pressure. Hope my husband doesn’t wake up right away (and turn on politics) so I can enjoy the quiet in the sunroom. Feed dog. Read my start-the-day reading. Gratitude. Other meds. Check calendar. Enjoy life.