Gift for very ill friend?

[butteriesplease]

Hi looking for some ideas. One of my very best friends has just had a major op and it's been discovered that she also has cancer. It's totally crap . I live quite far away and want to send her a hospital-suitable gift until I can go and visit. What would be good? Nice lotions and potions? She'll be in hospital for a while yet.

Thank you.

Id say the same lotions would be nice, a book ,fluffy socks ,depends what she likes is she girly if so make up nail polish x

I'm so sorry.
How about books or a subscription to Audible? Or a lovely soft oversized cardi or wrap she can wear in bed.
It's so kind of you to think of her.

This might seem a bit strange, but those headphones that are comfortable to sleep with are great for hospitals:

www.amazon.co.uk/Bluetooth-Headphones-Sleeping-Handsfree-Traveling-Eye-mask-V1/dp/B07C4B7187/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=sleep+headphones&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1539625304&sr=8-4

That and maybe a gift card to buy some audio books.

Thanks x I think she's all set on audible already. Socks are a good call, she is well stocked with cardigans. I will get a wee care package together. Any more ideas welcomed x

This website has lots of gift ideas for those in hospital or recovering from illness

www.notanotherbunchofflowers.com

Does she have a Netflix subscription and a pair of headphones?

Lip balm is great, the air is so drying in hospital and chemo can leave your mouth/ lips very dry too. Likewise a nice hand cream/face cream although be careful with anything scented as chemo can make your skin more sensitive.
Hard boiled sweets are good for getting rid of the metallic taste chemo can cause.

Is she going to be an inpatient? Maybe a nice photo frame for her to put a family pic in? Or one of the two of you?

When I have been in hospital for longer stays, I have appreciated face wipes, a tinted moisturiser (so I could feel a little bit human without having to fuss with makeup) my kindle, little snack packs such as the buttered malt loaf, savoury snacks, vest tops, lounge pants (so I could easily sleep in them but feel ok in them too when visitors came), magazines (as sometimes felt too poorly to read a book but ok to look at pictures) and a TV card for the hospital TV system. Is there a coffee shop on site? I can remember being so grateful for takeaway lattes after hospital tea! You could get her a gift card if there is a shop on site and she could manage to get there to buy one.

Your poor friend. But sounds like she is lucky to have a friend like you.

I would have also loved a gorgeous scarf / wrap like in the link posted above. Would have made me feel like I was making an effort for visitors but without any effort iyswim.

Diffuser for bedside. Nice, not too strong smell, especially as flowers are mostly not allowed now

Adult colouring books are popular just now but if she isnt up to doing much.how about pjs new pjs do make u feel more clean in hospital x

A fluffy blanket as the hospital ones are not that great or soft x

As someone who spends a lot of time in hospital, noise cancelling headphones are a godsend.

Thanks all. Some great ideas there. X

A Kindle

A soft fleecy blanket
Bed jacket
Ear plugs and eye mask
V shape pillow and cover

Someone recently sent me a box full of goodies after I had an operation. The box had lots of stuff in...a book by my favourite author, lip balm, lovely hand cream etc but for me....the bit that meant the most was the words on the outside. She had written on it...You will get through this (because you are pretty much the strongest, most amazing person I know....but if you are struggling...you know where I am. We love you!
This is definitely not a stealth boost but I was in a seriously bad place and her message gave me a reason to smile.

Adult colouring books got me through some stays in hospital. If she's set up on audible the perhaps a voucher? An oversized scarf/shawl that can sort of double as a blanket for the shoulders. Fluffy slipper socks with the grippy pads are good as the floors can be slippy, especially if already feeling unsteady on your feet

Lots of lovely ideas, but I would also love a really nice bunch of flowers and a box of Prestat Marc de champagne truffles - call me old fashioned. Or just old.

You can't have flowers in most hospitals now. Lovely to have at home though

A really lovely pair of cashmere socks and possibly a blanket. Don’t buy anything smelly - if she has chemo she’ll end up with a weird sense of smell.

I found fizzy sweets good on chemo. Blistex do a good cream lip balm which is excellent and not greasy in hospital. Non smelly, nice face moisturiser.

My friends made me a care package with dvds, books, photos and general nice things which they sent to the ward.

for your friend.

(Not sure if it’s mentioned above but don’t send flowers - not allowed them on wards or when immunocompromised. I was sent some beautiful flowers I never got the pleasure of).

Wet wipes, lip balm, hand cream and nice soft tissues. Not very exciting, but an absolute godsend when you're stuck in a stuffy hospital ward

A small handheld fan also, a hot water bottle/microwaveable thing.

I’m a nurse - things that are nice for patients who are in for a while, lots of things mentioned above - fluffy bed socks, nice fleecy blanket, scarf or wrap, maybe some sweets or biscuits, if she’s a coffee drinker maybe decent barista instant coffee? Hospitals serve cheap stuff. My Mum was in and my friend bought a reed diffuser which was really nice to have.