Another what can I buy for my mum thread. Sorry!

[Mydogisagentleman]

My 80 year old mum is having her knee replaced. Again.
She has chosen to pay for it herself but due to covid isn’t allowed visitors.
She is fine mentally and reads a lot, is interning current affairs and enjoys gardening, pétanque, bowls and genealogy.
AFAIK, she will be in the hospital for three days or so. I have looked at a heated blanket, but DH pointed out that if she is chilly in the hospital something is wrong.
Also, she has a pacemaker.

All I would say about being chilly is recently my father was admitted to hospital and was very cold whilst in there. He was physically dithering and they said they had run out of extra blankets. I'm assuming they are ventilating/windows open because of covid.

It definitely wasn't a nice warm ward though 👍

I wouldn't assume she will be warm, DH had to go into hospital the other day as an outpatient and said he nearly froze while waiting as they had the fire door at the end of the corridor propped open for ventilation.

When I was in hospital for a couple of weeks a few years ago I would have killed for a good pillow as the one they had was rubber and kept squeaking. I kept warm with one of those big blanket scarves (I don't think they would have let me plug in a heated throw, maybe they would, I'm not sure) I would really have liked a padded silk bed jacket but I had loads of cannulas in so the soft blanket scarf was perfect.

I am having chemo and really appreciate my teddy fleece blanket from dunelm.
Audible subscription?

Things to entertain her! If she's paying to go privately then the chances are she'll have her own room and 1 night was enough to make me start going stir crazy (and I could get up and walk around!). Books, magazines, puzzles, does she have an ipad / tablet or could you lend her one so she can get online (there should be wifi). Boiled sweets or mints are good if you've had an anaesthetic tube down your throat.

She has an iPad and an audible subscription.
I am now erring back toward the heated throw. I just need to phone the hospital to check it would be ok.
I have ordered a cream tea for one for the day after.

A heated throw at home might be good but hospitals are usually heated to the temperature of a furnace. They're also quite heavy so might not be ideal on a new wound? She'd probably be best with ice on it to reduce the swelling rather than heat.

I had my knee replacements done a few years ago in a private hospital, and as I was in a room on my own I was very comfortable, well fed and had most things I needed.
I would imagine if your Mum has her own room she will be warm enough (but check with the hospital) I needed a shortish dressing gown , (a long one would have got in the way) and PJ's as opposed to a nightdress, but there was very little that anyone could have given me that would have made my life easier, except for a current TV listings magazine, as I watched a lot of TV whilst recovering in hospital

Just to add it it was when I came out of hospital and recovering at home the fun really started, I needed quite a lot help and a supply easy consumables. When you are dealing with a crutch making and carrying a cup of tea is difficult, a really good flask is really useful and things like a bottle of "slimfast" type drinks for when you get peckish.
Please encourage your Mum to do her exercises its really important,

A little stand for her tablet. There are quite a few options - mini bean bags or triangular cushions, for example. Even if she's got a hard case for it which stands up, they often wobble on bedding so a flexible stand is very helpful.

My Mum's 90th birthday tomorrow
I have bought her a lot
images.app.goo.gl/Jx6AxwVP4SmYBbTd7
Very pretty, warm, soft Cardy , she had the blue one for Christmas
images.app.goo.gl/MJRwgzYb85yvmaCD7
Light, roomy , several compartments , she had the black one for years which has now seen it's best.
2 pairs of slippers from Damart
images.app.goo.gl/Ceh3aexTg3EH3bAw6
Dressing gown from Marks, zip up so there is no risk of exposure
images.app.goo.gl/NoMFkwnkk55d2WdV9
Duvet cover and fitted sheet , so warm and soft from Next
www3.next.co.uk/style/st788030/902960#902960
A make up set from Superdrug , in the sale for £30 it was £80
www.superdrug.com/Make-Up/Face/Makeup-Sets/Revolution-Ultimate-Glamour-Collection/p/810287
Rose perfume it's absolutely darling and stays images.app.goo.gl/Uzf8eijcgBr5m7oK8
2 nightdresses from Cotton tradersimages.app.goo.gl/KJPvMHSEyrX8E33A9
I concentrated on prettiness, warmth , comfort and texture .

images.app.goo.gl/KJPvMHSEyrX8E33A9

I was freezing in hospital, it was March and when they took a reading, it was well below what it should have been. Heated throw would be amazing.