In hospital for Christmas - anyone keep me company?

[BiodegradableCutlery]

I'm in hospital at the moment (mental health unit) and will be here over Christmas. I won't see family and I'm feeling pretty fed up and lonely right now. Hoping someone may be up for keeping me company with some distracting chit chat?!

(Name changed for privacy!)

Good morning Bio 🎅 I've been doing some prep for cooking the Christmas ham. We do it on Christmas eve. Taken the sausage meat out of the freezer too.

We plan to blitz the kitchen, go for a walk, cook the ham, go to a late night Christmas service nearby. Squeeze in a pampering bath before the service.

I am going to tidy up today. I'm also looking forward to starting some new series on Netflix.

I sent my mum some flowers yesterday and she's absolutely delighted with them, so I'm very pleased.

I hope you're ok. 💐

If I was on my own I might just sort out my garages. Maybe then I'd find the box of missing Christmas stuff that I know is there somewhere.

I hope it's not too noisy. The one Christmas I spent in hospital, they gave a a Christmas stocking - so I hope Santa does visit you. (The socks in mine were a great gift.)

It’s a bugger when you can’t concentrate isn’t it? But good that you’ve got a few things to revolve through.

What is your jigsaw puzzle of? I used to repeadedly complete one of a chaffinch - very comforting to know it wouldn’t stump me for days at a time. Unlike the double sided baked beans one that never got (even partially) finished.

Wishing you all the best for your recovery.

Morning. Still at work tootling about pretending to write a report ( I've put it off too long!). Dispatched dh off to town and the robot hoover is doing its best with pine needles

Thanks for all the replies, it's really nice to feel like I'm hearing about a slice of normality! Sorry there's to many to address everyone individually but please know I've enjoyed reading them all.

@Sprig1 I do love animals - specifically cats! The ward isn't really decorated unfortunately - I suspect tomorrow will just feel like another day really which I think is ok with me, it just feels a bit odd.

@NoCarbsForMe @MinnieMountain I do love a podcast! I listen to a lot of true crime but any light hearted recommendations would be very welcome. I've actually never heard of the Empire podcast so I'll have to check that out.

@ClioMuse @Maryqueenofstots I finished the puzzle I was doing last night, so think I will start another today! It was only 500 pieces so not huge but I found it quite difficult - it was of a gingerbread house scene to a lot of the same colours!

Sorry to hear this OP - I'm glad that you're safe and (hopefully) getting the support you need. Have you got access to tv, even on a phone, and headphones? Maybe find a tv show you've enjoyed before and watch that to kill some time, or maybe wordle, nerdle etc online games. Wishing you well.

@BiodegradableCutlery I work on a MH ward. It can be hard to be in over Christmas, especially if other patients are going home. Forgive me for asking, but are you still too poorly to get leave? If so, it can be doubly hard. Please be kind to yourself and do use any PRN you’re written up for, it’s what it’s there for. More generally, I know the staff will be trying to make it as Christmassy as possible, but I know it’s not the same. Do take care x

Sorry to hear you’ll be in hospital for Christmas OP but I’m glad to hear you’re getting the help you deserve and hopefully this means a much more positive and happy year ahead for you.

sending love and positive thoughts your way.

I hope you're doing ok @BiodegradableCutlery.

I've got 2 little kids so we're tracking Santa as he set off an hour ago! We'll watch a Christmas film soon, go for a walk to look at the lights on houses then put the treats out for Santa and the reindeer before bed.

How about a cracker joke or 2?

Why did nobody buy Rudolph and Dancer when Santa put them on eBay?...

... they were two deer!

What do elves learn at school?...

... the elf-abet!

(Terrible jokes - I'll see myself out,)

Well done @BiodegradableCutlery it’s tough getting help at any time but extra tough this time of year, be proud of where you are and know you’re on a good journey. I hope the food is ok?! Do you get a Christmas lunch?

Hi OP, sorry you've not been well but hopefully You're making a good recovery. Are there any art or drawing supplies? Sketching might be a nice relaxing way to spend some time xx

I've cleaned behind the oven and about to do the bathroom. I'll let you know how I get on. Contain your excitement!

Bio we have a nice collection of jigsaws but didn't buy a new one this year - doing some of the older ones. 500 piece puzzles are nice though.

I can confirm the ham is on. Will look up red cabbage recipe now

Hi @BiodegradableCutlery I hope you're doing ok today. Did you start another jigsaw?

I am working from home today, but really don't have anything to do because I am very new in the job and also have some IT issues so can't access some of the systems. I'm looking up things that I think will be useful once I properly get into the role in the new year.

The last Christmas present has just arrived (phew). I've bought my grandson a globe. We're seeing them in a couple of days so will be doing the wrapping tonight.
It's a quiet day for us tomorrow - just me and DH - so probably eating, reading, watching TV and dozing as the day draws to a close.

I hope things are comfortable and supportive on your ward.

I'm elbow deep in medication and plasters. I bought a new box to store medical stuff; supplements, plasters, cold medicine etc and am now sorting everything into bags and throwing things away.

It's taking a surprisingly long time.

Hello OP, sorry that you are away from home. I see that you are doing a jigsaw, can I make a suggestion for next year - the Advent jigsaw - it has been a game changer for me. It's about 40 ish pieces a day and I have done it with my morning coffee, and I feel as though I have accomplished so much by doing it, as though something has been ticked off my list!

Not sure if you are able to concentrate for too long, but Radio 4 looks pretty decent tomorrow morning, nothing too challenging and so you should be able to dip in and out.

I am on my own for Christmas and will be running a thread at 12:00 noon for an hour for anyone who wants to chat, so feel free to jump in and let us know how you are doing.

@NoCarbsForMe @MinnieMountain I do love a podcast! I listen to a lot of true crime but any light hearted recommendations would be very welcome. I've actually never heard of the Empire podcast so I'll have to check that out.

The Adam Buxton pod is great
I also like Happy Place Fearne Cotton and How to Fail with Elizabeth Day
The rest is history/ rest is politics are also both fascinating - but not so lighthearted

Cathy Burke's also great.

Then I love all the gardening ones . ... but that may not be your bag...?

Monty Don's Audio books are also highly recommended x

@BiodegradableCutlery sorry to hear you’re stuck in hospital OP. I spent 4 long weeks in hospital before having my baby and I often think how lucky I was that at least it was in the spring and not at Christmas. How long are you expected to be in for? Do you have a routine? I found that routine was the key to making my days go a bit quicker.

We are just about organised for baby’s first Christmas. Need to wrap a couple of presents that we picked up last week from the charity shop, after all she is too young to know what’s going on but will enjoy playing with the paper and ribbon etc!

How are you doing OP? Are the hospital staff nice? I hope you are okay and have people to talk to in there

Oh yes I have lots of podcast recommendations - can you listen to them? I wouldn't like to suggest something that isn't helpful to you at the moment

Have you managed to speak to any other patients? Sometimes talking to others help to pass the time - talk about the weather, Strictly, Gavin and Stacey, favourite James Bond actor etc.

Is the food good? Our local hospital is quite nice.

Hi @BiodegradableCutlery. I hope you are doing OK this afternoon.

DD (age nearly 12) and I are making white chocolate and raspberry macaroons from a kit.

OMG.

Those professional pastry chefs must be amazing. Turns out macaroons are really really difficult!

Hello there Bio, I'm sorry to hear that you're stuck in hospital over Christmas, and hope you start to feel better very soon.
What's the food like there? My local hospital makes wonderful porridge, the highlight of the day! Sticks to your ribs as my Mother used to say! I wonder if the hospital will put on a Christmas roast tomorrow.

I'm on my own here, so all is calm and quiet. I've some books to read and puzzles to do tomorrow. If you feel up to it, there is a free puzzle board here on Mumsnet, look for the yellow button on the banner at the top of the page.