Gifts for hospital visits???

Stella Sleepwalks · 09-14-2008, 08:41 AM

My ex's mum is due to go in for major surgery two weeks today. She is going to be kept in for between 7 - 14 days, and will be climbing the walls after day two.

In the UK we are not allowed to bring flowers into hospital anymore - not sure why. I will be visiting most days as promised, and although chatting to her will keep her occupied, she will be bored stiff when no one is around.

Any ideas on things I could bring in?

Thanks - Stella xxx

**avman** · 09-14-2008, 09:14 AM

How about bringing in some books or magazines for her to read (if you think she'll be up to it)? Photos of the family is another good gift to bring in.

Stella Sleepwalks · 09-14-2008, 09:28 AM

SHe has a dog, who she is goignt o worry and fret over like crazy.

I was thinking about video taping her and bringing it in, but I think that it might upset her.

I have a nintendo DS lite with brain training. Only trouble is she has problems with her hands, and it might aggrivate them. Books and magazines is a good idea though, thanks

karvala · 09-14-2008, 10:09 AM

When I was hospital, my time was brightened considerably by two things (other than visitors, of course): a variety of things to read (books, newspapers, magazines), and a personal music player of sort (e.g. an iPod). These days I would also be eternally grateful for a laptop, but I don't know if that would be allowed.

Stella Sleepwalks · 09-14-2008, 10:22 AM

See his mum is 65, and not great with technology.

I think the happiest thing would be for me and her son to get back together, but we are still * * * * ing each other around - (that's a different thread on a different forum though).

I think she would probably like a glossy magazine. They are all about sex though.... Be a bit weird.

Cognitive_Canine · 09-14-2008, 10:23 AM

Books, music, handheld games are great, maybe something that reminds her of home like a pillow, slippers, lamp, blanket (though both this and the pillow should be thoroughly washed and sanitized before and afterward.

Um...hmmm.....

Does she do any crafts? Knitting? Painting? Drawing?

Or how about bringing in some nice homemade food since the hospital stuff is junk. Something that can be heated up again. Or fresh fruit.

Perhaps a computer if they allow it and she likes surfing the web or games?

hersmudders · 09-14-2008, 10:47 AM

Sudoku or crossword puzzle books. Magazines like Marie Claire, Redbook, and Better Homes and Gardens are good for women not wanting to focus on sex in magazines. DVDs and a portable DVD player of some of her favorite movies maybe?

Stella Sleepwalks · 09-14-2008, 10:48 AM

The problem is, she is going to be in intensive care afterwards then onto a ward.

You are very limited what you can bring into hospital in the UK because of this "Super Bug", so I think my safest bet is probably things to read.

What I am most nervous about is visiting her. There is only so much you can talk about, and I am not sure how long I should stay etc. I probably won't be visiting the same time as my ex, so that she has more visits throught the day, hospitals make me really jumpy.

I think I will take in my nintendo DS for her, see how she gets on with it.

Maybe after the surgery all she will wanna do is sleep.

karvala · 09-14-2008, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stella Sleepwalks

The problem is, she is going to be in intensive care afterwards then onto a ward.

You are very limited what you can bring into hospital in the UK because of this "Super Bug", so I think my safest bet is probably things to read.

What I am most nervous about is visiting her. There is only so much you can talk about, and I am not sure how long I should stay etc. I probably won't be visiting the same time as my ex, so that she has more visits throught the day, hospitals make me really jumpy.

I think I will take in my nintendo DS for her, see how she gets on with it.

Maybe after the surgery all she will wanna do is sleep.

In the first 24hrs after major surgery, she'll certainly want to sleep for most of the time, partly to block out the pain and partly because the morphine that she'll be on will make her very drowsy anyway. After a couple of days she'll be a lot better, and then she'll need more things to occupy her. You don't need to stay for long on the visits, more short visits are much better than fewer long ones.

You can spend the time telling her about all the games you and your ex are still playing with each other.

15 Storeys High · 09-14-2008, 10:57 AM

Flowers are an infection risk, which is why they're no longer allowed. An ipod/MP3/personal stereo is a great idea......some soothing music to drown out the hospital noises at night. Anything to read, anything that gets the brain active. Many wards will not be able to reheat food so if you take food in make sure it doesn't have to be warmed.

I'd leave the majority of presents until she goes to a ward. Intensive care is a more clinical area and clutter is a big no no.

09-14-2008, 08:41 AM	#1
Stella Sleepwalks Offline Gold Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: England Gender: Female Age: 27 Posts: 1,028	Gifts for hospital visits??? My ex's mum is due to go in for major surgery two weeks today. She is going to be kept in for between 7 - 14 days, and will be climbing the walls after day two. In the UK we are not allowed to bring flowers into hospital anymore - not sure why. I will be visiting most days as promised, and although chatting to her will keep her occupied, she will be bored stiff when no one is around. Any ideas on things I could bring in? Thanks - Stella xxx __________________ You Gotta Go There To Come Back

09-14-2008, 09:14 AM	#2
avman Online Administrator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Minnesota Gender: Male Age: 42 Posts: 6,526	How about bringing in some books or magazines for her to read (if you think she'll be up to it)? Photos of the family is another good gift to bring in. __________________ "Children are a wonderful gift . . . They have an extraordinary capacity to see into the heart of things and to expose sham and humbug for what they are." Desmond Tutu

09-14-2008, 09:28 AM	#3
Stella Sleepwalks Offline Gold Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: England Gender: Female Age: 27 Posts: 1,028	SHe has a dog, who she is goignt o worry and fret over like crazy. I was thinking about video taping her and bringing it in, but I think that it might upset her. I have a nintendo DS lite with brain training. Only trouble is she has problems with her hands, and it might aggrivate them. Books and magazines is a good idea though, thanks __________________ You Gotta Go There To Come Back

09-14-2008, 10:09 AM	#4
karvala Online Platinum Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Gender: None Specified Posts: 2,330	When I was hospital, my time was brightened considerably by two things (other than visitors, of course): a variety of things to read (books, newspapers, magazines), and a personal music player of sort (e.g. an iPod). These days I would also be eternally grateful for a laptop, but I don't know if that would be allowed. __________________ May you live all the days of your life Trying to heal from after a breakup? Perhaps you need Enhanced No Contact: http://www.enotalone.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1438257

09-14-2008, 10:22 AM	#5
Stella Sleepwalks Offline Gold Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: England Gender: Female Age: 27 Posts: 1,028	See his mum is 65, and not great with technology. I think the happiest thing would be for me and her son to get back together, but we are still * * * * ing each other around - (that's a different thread on a different forum though). I think she would probably like a glossy magazine. They are all about sex though.... Be a bit weird. __________________ You Gotta Go There To Come Back

09-14-2008, 10:23 AM	#6
Cognitive_Canine Online Platinum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Somewhere over the rainbow Gender: Female Posts: 11,322	Books, music, handheld games are great, maybe something that reminds her of home like a pillow, slippers, lamp, blanket (though both this and the pillow should be thoroughly washed and sanitized before and afterward. Um...hmmm..... Does she do any crafts? Knitting? Painting? Drawing? Or how about bringing in some nice homemade food since the hospital stuff is junk. Something that can be heated up again. Or fresh fruit. Perhaps a computer if they allow it and she likes surfing the web or games?

09-14-2008, 10:47 AM	#7
hersmudders Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: 6151 Richmond St, Miami, Florida Gender: Female Age: 27 Posts: 8,315	Sudoku or crossword puzzle books. Magazines like Marie Claire, Redbook, and Better Homes and Gardens are good for women not wanting to focus on sex in magazines. DVDs and a portable DVD player of some of her favorite movies maybe? __________________ "yeah but i want a glow in the dark clone of my penis!!!!"--Epicproportion Spay or neuter your pets! Don't breed or buy while shelter animals die! Remember to click "helpful post" if something on a thread was helpful!

09-14-2008, 10:48 AM	#8
Stella Sleepwalks Offline Gold Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: England Gender: Female Age: 27 Posts: 1,028	The problem is, she is going to be in intensive care afterwards then onto a ward. You are very limited what you can bring into hospital in the UK because of this "Super Bug", so I think my safest bet is probably things to read. What I am most nervous about is visiting her. There is only so much you can talk about, and I am not sure how long I should stay etc. I probably won't be visiting the same time as my ex, so that she has more visits throught the day, hospitals make me really jumpy. I think I will take in my nintendo DS for her, see how she gets on with it. Maybe after the surgery all she will wanna do is sleep. __________________ You Gotta Go There To Come Back

09-14-2008, 10:57 AM	#10
15 Storeys High Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: UK Gender: Male Age: 30 Posts: 1,291	Flowers are an infection risk, which is why they're no longer allowed. An ipod/MP3/personal stereo is a great idea......some soothing music to drown out the hospital noises at night. Anything to read, anything that gets the brain active. Many wards will not be able to reheat food so if you take food in make sure it doesn't have to be warmed. I'd leave the majority of presents until she goes to a ward. Intensive care is a more clinical area and clutter is a big no no. __________________ You cannot do a kindness too soon for you'll never know how soon it will be too late. - Emerson