Hospital visit.

When my friend was in Palliative Care I used to take manicure tools and some nail polish, and massage oil. I'd massage her hands, feet and legs, and paint her nails. It was a good way to divert all the talk away from her health issues. We ended up talking about anything and everything, and I treasure the memories of those few last days .

pinkshoes, if I ever end up back in hospital I'd like someone like you to come and visit

Google "Dont buy her flowers" they do gift packages with thoughtful items for people with cancer and I think they donate a percentage to Cancer research

When my DDs MIL went into a hospice recently I sent her a scented candle via Amazon. Sadly she died soon after.

A 4711 eau de cologne 'cool stick' is very soothing on the forehead or on the wrists. It's one thing I would love to have if I was stuck in hospital.

Thanks ,even more ideas. I’m making up a little bag of toiletries including quite a few that you ideas from you all.

Maybe you could read to her? Being read to is a real treat no matter what your age. Or an audio book? Or even a recorded newspaper? Definitely lots of lavender or rose scented things, or something soft and cuddly?

If you've got lavender hand cream how about lavender oil, a couple of drops on a pillow can be very relaxing.

Hadn't thought about a scented candle not being allowed in hospital Whoops
You could offer do her nails as its always a lovely treat

Depending on her present state of health, maybe she’d like a small one of those colouring-in books and pencils, which she could pick up and put down when she’s had enough.

Is she in hospital?
If not then there is so much to choose from.
If in hospital then can I suggest back off with the scented stuff. Other people on the ward may hate the smell.
If she is in her own hospital room then of course there is more scope.

I was once in hospital for seven months. The best gift I had by far was a blanket/throw that went on the bed instead of the hospital blanket.
It brought a much needed touch of homeliness and normality to hospital life.

The nurses didn't bat an eyelid. The assistants that changed the bed said how nice it was, no one said it's not allowed.

I was bedridden for a few months where it kept me cosy, then once propped up in a chair it was lovely over my legs for added modesty as well as banishing that notorious chilly leg syndrome

I still treasure that blanket, it signifies comfort when I was in a very bad way.

I use 'Not another bunch of flowers'. It's a website created by a girl who herself had cancer treatment. Excellent service by a lovely lady

Oh dear, the suggestion of a scented candle made me laugh.
With oxygen around? ??

How quickly can an entire hospital be evacuated when the alarm and the sprinklers go off?

Definitely personal care stuff. I recently spent 8 days in hospital and the best gift ever was a package of hand cream, hand sanitiser, shampoo, conditioner and soap. Magazines are great, too, though you can't always be sure which ones have already been bought and read!

there is a brilliant website called 'notanotherbunchofflowers' It was started by a young woman who had gone through breast cancer (and lost her own mother to it) - she has loads of things that are most welcome in difficult situations. It really is excellent.