Friend with poorly child, how to help?

[Sandinmypants]

A friend of mine has got in touch to tell me that her little girl is very unwell and will be in hospital receiving treatment for the next month. It’s all been very quick (put it this way, this time last week they had no idea there was anything wrong).

We don’t live near each other, and I want to help but practically speaking there is little I can do. I want to send something for her and her daughter (2). Something to help, things to cheer her daughter up and something that my friend can turn to after a long day at hospital. If I was there I’d be filling her freezer up for them (she has a husband and another young child too).

I’d really appreciate any thoughts on what I could send her and her daughter that would help in this situation. It’s so scary for her, I wish I could be there to help

Hopeful bump for the evening crowd 🤞

Something that is useful is one of those lightweight bean bags that help iPads and other tablets to stand upright. For use by her child for distraction, or by herself.

Thankyou for your suggestions. If we were closer I would go like a shot and help her in person, but unfortunately there is a sea between us

I’m thinking hand cream, because she will probably be washing her hands all he time. But will there be restrictions on what she can use?

Not sure how it would work, might be easier to get it delivered to a relative close to them but what about some nice ready meals from Cook for their freezer? Would mean that they would know there was stuff in the house and they wouldnt need to worry about going to the shop but it's also nutritious and tasty so they are not eating crap the whole time.
Hand cream I would stay away from overly scented ones, not sure what treatment the daughter is having but if there is any nausea involved or skin sensitivity it would make sense to be fragrance free.

Dont bother with flowers, she wont have time to look at them and definitely wont be able to take them in hospital

how about a gift card for use at a local food outlet. Maybe a coffee one. it would help save them from buying stuff they probably wouldn't need to otherwise.

Check what coffee outlets they have in the hospital and send her a gift card for that.
If you can stretch to really nice pjs or lounge wear for your friend that would be appreciated.
A bundle of books/magazines/comics for them both?

Jent Thankyou! I thought about meals but she doesn’t have Cook where she is and she is near family who I am sure will look after the food side of things. I am not sure how I would go about finding a trustworthy purveyor of frozen meals that aren’t Cook!

I will go for a non scented hand cream. It is chemotherapy her daughter is having ☹️ she is only two so I shouldn’t think she will be leaving the hospital much over the next month or so.

Ooh coffee gift card. Now that’s a fab idea, I will def do that. Thankyou

Some nice toiletries to brighten up the fact she'll be likely using very basic NHS facilities.