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Prolonged hospital stay - what gift?

(19 Posts)
kittylester Fri 18-Aug-23 19:59:10

My oldest(!!!) and dearest friend has non Hodgkin's lymphoma. She is in hospital and will be for about a month.

She can't concentrate to read so books and magazines are a no go, she has a fabulous dil who is on top of everything so......what can I send in for her?

Witzend Fri 18-Aug-23 20:00:47

Puzzle books? Crosswords, Codewords, Sudoku?

Fleurpepper Fri 18-Aug-23 20:05:32

First of all, so sorry to hear this.

What about short novels spoken out, on CD or app?

Lathyrus Fri 18-Aug-23 20:06:46

Do hospitals still operate those pay by view TVs ? Or do people just stream stuff. Do patients have to pay for Internet access?

A voucher for whatever entertainment system is in pkace might be very acceptable?

Audio books. A colouring book. A not too difficult craft set like cross stitching a little card.

Flowers are probe prohibited. Check that out.

Lathyrus Fri 18-Aug-23 20:07:44

Notelets and stamps which are now so expensive

Mizuna Fri 18-Aug-23 20:09:37

A roll-on perfume is lovely when you're in hospital for an extended stay, as I was recently. They're easy to use, take up very little space and feel like a bit of luxury.

62Granny Fri 18-Aug-23 20:14:58

Some nice hand cream /body lotion and lip salve you get so dry in hospital.

Marydoll Fri 18-Aug-23 20:15:48

Any hospital I have been in, internet access has been free.

I couldn't concentrate on books and watched a lot of films on You Tube or listened my Spotify list on my tablet.

62Granny Fri 18-Aug-23 20:16:04

Don't bother with the pay to view telly they rarely work tbh.

Foxygloves Fri 18-Aug-23 20:18:27

iPad? And headphones so that she doesn’t disturb other patients in the ward.

ManicMumDay Fri 18-Aug-23 20:26:03

I spend a lot of time in hospital (unstable lupus, just spent the day there today). I found eye masks, earplugs and an Audible subscription the most useful items. Maybe a luxury version of one, say a silk eye mask? Audible saved my sanity during longer stays, they do podcasts like the Graham Norton book club, as well as full cast plays, books and short stories. I used a combination of noise cancelling earphones, eye mask and audio books and tried to forget I was in hospital at all.

Callistemon21 Fri 18-Aug-23 21:12:41

62Granny

Some nice hand cream /body lotion and lip salve you get so dry in hospital.

Yes, this.

Some ready cut-up fruit, M&S, if she's up to eating. Hospital food is so awful (well it is here).

I presume she has her own room, patients with lymphoma are probably not sharing a ward.

Charleygirl5 Fri 18-Aug-23 21:29:10

Witsend if anybody sent me those I would be returning them unopened! I personally can think of nothing worse. I personally would prefer a paperback or some magazines.

Staceyann Fri 18-Aug-23 21:37:23

Charleygirl5

Witsend if anybody sent me those I would be returning them unopened! I personally can think of nothing worse. I personally would prefer a paperback or some magazines.

But the OP said ‘no books or magazines”

Wyllow3 Fri 18-Aug-23 21:57:45

Given what the O/P said, is fab DiL on top of tablets/wi fi/earphone access already - a good mobile phone with my music on and wifi has been survival in past. Or just the music and earphones.

I like the idea of notelets and stamps tho.

Lathyrus Fri 18-Aug-23 22:21:26

I don’t know if lymphoid the same but when my husband was being treated for leukaemia he wasn’t allowed any raw food because of bacteria when the immune system is wiped out.

I don’t think he was allowed accented toiletries either. He had to use the hospital wash.

Lathyrus Fri 18-Aug-23 23:06:10

Callistemon21

62Granny

Some nice hand cream /body lotion and lip salve you get so dry in hospital.

Yes, this.

Some ready cut-up fruit, M&S, if she's up to eating. Hospital food is so awful (well it is here).

I presume she has her own room, patients with lymphoma are probably not sharing a ward.

I looked it up with the Leukaemia Society.

Fruit should be washed and peeled immediately before eating. It’s a nice idea but I think the ready cut fruit will potentially have a bacteria risk.

Fine for normal times but a risk when the immune system is down.

It does get a bit tricky. I served up a lot of tinned stuff because the process kills the bacteria. Perhaps some little Tim’s of fruit salad?

Georgesgran Fri 18-Aug-23 23:15:10

When my DH was hospitalized on several occasions with lymphoma, he was always cold, so I took a fleece throw in.
He was usually in a single room, occasionally a 4 bedded room and it wasn’t a problem.

Doodledog Fri 18-Aug-23 23:37:21

What about sleep headphones? They are basically a band with bluetooth headphones inside, so you can listen to music, audiobooks or other sound apps lying down. They would block out the noise of the ward, and maybe give her a bit of peace if she wants headspace. Amazon keep them and they aren't expensive.