SOME THOUGHTS WHICH MAY HELP OR GIVE YOU IDEAS
I should add this is just general ideas so take whats useful to you
• lipbalm - different flavours – i love the watermelon one and the coca cola ones out of Primark for example
• eye mask
• vitamin c drops to suck on - they come in different flavours – will help keep vit c levels up for healing as body doesn’t hold it
• Swelly Belly band - to provide support after surgery
• Cushion - to give to her before she goes into hospital its to put between herself and the car seatbelt for whoever collects her from hosptial when being discharged – any colour that wont get lost in the hospital bedsheets and be identified as hospitals – basically anything but white
• Laxatives – check what she can tolerate but bowels can really seize up so you don’t need constipation on top of wind pain and operation pain
• Painkillers – try and pre sort painkillers from GP as you will need them when you are home, instead of starting the sorting process when you might have a late discharge as an example
TIME DEPENDANT - HOMEMADE COUPONS OFFERING TIME / TASKS –
• you may be able to make better meals to be heated up than the 15 year old – maybe doubling up your recipes and putting extra meal in tub for microwave or oven
• if you offered to do some housework and when she says no, do it anyway.
• Wash dishes, load / unload dishwasher
• Put the vacuum round
• Bins sorted and ready to go out – note up for 15yr old to say when to put out what bin
• Stick on a wash / dryer load, hang on dryers / washing line. Fold and do this with 15y old – iron if wanted or only the bare necessities
• Helping 15 year old to make a shopping list for whatever has run out
• Note around the house for her in case needs to get shopping and doesn’t realise needs certain things – assuming it is her and 15yr old only, for example if there is a toilet upstairs and down, her DS may not realise that the last loo roll was upstairs and it was used yesterday and you don’t realise how good it is esp in relation to toilet roll until its gone – You know about the toilet roll fairy don’t you? She is recovering from an op in this case
• Would you give her a ring before you go to town for yourself, see does she need anything from the shops, chemist, butchers, bakers.. candlestick makers – daily paper, local papers etc if you are going that way ....maybe calling in on way back with errands and take out coffees
• encourage people to visit but keep it short and sweet, as she will tire out very easily – max 30 mins
take a paper place and divide into 3 thirds – colour one red, yellow and green. Make clock fingers with a piece of cardboard and a drawing pin –
Green is “feeling ok”
Yellow is “not feeling great now, too much too soon, stop”
RED – “Get me out of here”
It's a secret way to update how you are feeling without having to say anything
• depending on how she is feeling, host an early evening or weekend gathering at hers with the understanding of close friends that 2 hours max as she will be exhausted and trying to keep up a brave face – suggesting something like pampering – facemasks, facial massage, manicures, pedicures – can all be done for each other
PRACTICAL
Consider putting a keysafe outside, with a key in it for friends to let themselves in - you can set a code - the code can also be changed after all this if you want to or it can be removed easily via the inside of the safe
@Rainbowqueen yes to the box set, even better when OP or someone can chat about it with them and whatevers happening, even if OP has read up the rough outlines on Wikipedia
A notebook and pen to allow her to make lists of everything she needs to get out of her head
Travel mug / water bottle so can keep hydrated
An overbed table – this means no bumping into the table with lower stomach, can be raised at different heights and used in bed or with a laptop / tablet
Calendar - Or at least a printout for 2-4 weeks of 7 days along the top and 4 dose slots down the side as when in a post operation phase and foggy head, its hard to remember if have actually taken meds or just thought about it – put it beside where the medications are with a pen and a bottle of water
a light plastic "grabber" that can pick up light things when you drop them, get towels off of shelves, etc.
Suggest that she has something loose and flowing for coming home in as nothing tight on the surgery area
Mesh pants are a godsend if needed with pads, they also can be chucked in the washing machine and will survive up to 10 washes easily, then chuck afterwards – get 2 sizes above normal and don’t sit over incision
THINGS THAT SHE COULD DO TO ALLOW HER BODY TO REST BUT PROBABLY AFTER 2-4 WEEKS WHEN EFFECTS OF ANAESTHETIC AND THE WORST IS OVER. (be aware of brain fog)
• Cross stitch set – Pound shops
• Knitting needles / wool / pattern – Pound shops
• Nintendo DS – CEX is good for old versions and can easily pass time
• Making a youtube / spotify playlist to have ready for this year or similar
FOODWISE
Up to 7 days after surgery, there may be nausea and little appetitie, however if needed, someone could encourage her to have jelly and ice cream, soups, ice lollies
BODY AND HAIR WASH
• Can recommend no rinse no water needed body and hair washes which leave you feeling fresh
• Also dry shampoo
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• Hope something is useful for you. I will add other stuff as I think of it