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!)

Hi @BiodegradableCutlery I hope you are having an ok day. Have been trying to think what kinds of cringey family games could be played over Mumsnet - best I have come up with is "20 questions" if you'd fancy that later? I have to spring into action to do stirfried sprouts and bacon in a couple of minutes so couldn't do it now.

Do you like animals? We could do a pet photo drop? Here’s mine on an autumnal walk.

May I invite you to try the Christmas Puzzle

Also, BBC radio 2 always do a lovely programme on Christmas Day featuring children songs and hits from today and yesterday. Songs today included from Sound of music, laughing policeman, popular children tv theme tunes etc. it may sound a little naff, but its actually a really joyous programme, and lovely to listen to, and definitely non-taxing to the ear.

It’ll be on BBC sounds now.

If you like books this is a fun game - we can all play it together on this thread. https://hiddenbooks.nationalbooktokens.com/default.aspx

@BiodegradableCutlery Globle, Globle Capitals, Chronophoto and cardgames.io are some of my favourites. I hope you have some wins today - big or small. Remember with mental ill health it tends to be a gradual process built on small wins rather than "big" events like with physical health (e.g. a stent for a heart block). Take your time and well done on seeking support.

Are you allowed to leave the ward accompanied or otherwise, you could maybe go for a walk?

I am in a mental health unit but on reception!

Sadly one of our patients has put the kybosh on her family visiting Christmas Day as she went AWOL a few days ago. Going to be a sad day for her.

Hopefully you will get visitors tomorrow. Do you eat what they serve on the ward or can you get a special meal ordered by Deliveroo etc. Can your family organise that?

All I will say if you do get something delivered to you is for goodness sake make sure that the company know it is ordered for you not the one that ordered otherwise the ward won't know who it is for! I say that as a very frustrated receptionist! We have to play Sherlock Holmes to find out who it is for. Sometimes they don't give the ward as part of the address either! Oh and one patient ordered with his 'face book' name!!!

The update I know you've all been waiting for (!) Lunch was indeed a roast dinner, including sprouts and pigs in blankets so thought that was a decent effort.

@Deathraystare it sounds silly now but I've never even considered ordering in food
Maybe I will do that another day as something to look forward to as the food is very repetitive here.

@Fireworknight oh s/he's lovely, what's their name?

Thanks to others for the games ideas I will check those out 🙂

Hope you don’t mind if I don’t give out ‘Firework-pup’ name on a public forum - don’t want to be identifiable. He’s currently snoozing on the sofa next to my son.

Hi Op , Sorry to hear that you are in hospital . It is obviously where you need to be , so hope you are feeling better soon .

I am not sure if you have access to a tv , or iPlayer rather than just netflix . The Gavin & Stacey finale is on at 9pm .

On netflix , can you find some series to watch ? I just watched the sixth season of Virgin River , beautiful scenery , bit rubbish acting and can be a bit corny . But usually enough going on that I am kept watching .
Gilmore Girls is another addictive one and also Grace and Frankie .

Can you jot down a few things on your phone about what you would like to do / are missing and see what you do when you are out .
Suggestion of ordering food in is a great one . Just had a quick look on my Just Eat app and there were quite a few places delivering , including a local shop .Deliver times were slightly longer though .Appreciate that it will depend where you are though .

Take care

Hey there Bio, I'm pleased to hear that they put on a roast dinner for your Christmas meal. Will it be turkey curry on Boxing Day, that's the worrying question?

Well done on navigating your way through Christmas Day, it's not easy when you are below par.

@Fireworknight of course, we can just call him Firework!

@imfae I do have iplayer (although it doesnt stream as well as Netflix for some reason) but would you believe I've never seen Gavin and Stacey! Maybe that's a boxset to make a start on...

Thanks @AdaColeman - I'm hoping it's a no to turkey curry as it was that kind of mass catering sliced turkey already in gravy!

LOVE Gavin and Stacey! Deffo watch it from the beginning. It's so funny 😊

Glad to hear they made an effort for your Christmas dinner. Did you get to see the new Wallace and Gromit? If not, should be on iplayer, and is a brilliant distraction, but not a complex plot if you're struggling to concentrate. Wishing you well.

Bus out game /app is great for killing time. I only play it in hospital or waiting for appointments (Drs, hospital, dentist)
Never pay for add ons

@nocoolnamesleft I didn't watch it but sounds good, I will download it to watch later!

@NoCarbsForMe I started it last night but it wasn't streaming very well so I'm going to download a couple of episodes 🙂

@Hskatkat thanks for the tip about bus out - I have downloaded it!

Hi there Bio, I hope you are doing alright today.
Does the hospital have any grounds or a garden, that you're able to walk in? Or maybe there is a day room with a nice view? A bit of a change of scene might lift your spirits.
Kindest thoughts to you Bio.

Hi @AdaColeman
I did get outside for a little bit today which was nice. Not the best weather here though!
I've started another jigsaw so just spending some time doing that but feeling pretty fed up.

Bless you. Sending unmumsnetty hugs. Do you know when you will be able to home home OP?

Ooo just thought of something that you might like, if you haven't watched already op...have you seen Ted Lasso? It's lovely. Really relaxing tv. Think you can stream it on Apple or Prime.

@BiodegradableCutlery if you want feel good TV the Stick Man short is on Amazon Prime and is quite lovely. It's a Julia Donaldson book for kids, but I absolutely loved it too, and it's a quick watch.

Also second that about Ted Lasso - feel good TV!

Idea for pampering without needing any products - looking up lymphatic drainage massage. It's low key the best thing I did for my looks in 2024 - reduces so much inflammation and unpuffed my face. 😂

I also started writing a wishlist for 2025 today. I like to jot down in my notes app things I can look forward to each month. December's was 1.) drink hot chocolate with marshmallows & cream 2.) make an orange peel garland 3.) do Santa handprint art with my kids. I try keep them all low pressure & free, so having fun picking out ones for January.

Thanks @nocarbs I have no idea about the plan moving forwards which is stressful - it's not a good time of year to be admitted for that reason....
Ah I've not seen it but don't have prime or apple unfortunately!

@BiodegradableCutlery Prime can be quite good ( not tried apple) seems to have a lot on, I think netflix is poor recently but it just depends on what you like to watch

Hello. Just checking in. Not started my Christmas jigsaw yet (500 pieces, best size for a gentle distraction as not intimidating) as today I still needed the table. Probably start it tomorrow. I do find jigsaws soothing.