Ideas for a long hospital admission

[longadmission]

I am about to be admitted to hospital for a few weeks, not sure on the exact length of time yet. I have a few puzzle books, and have loaded up my kindle. There's decent wifi so can watch netflix/disney/prime. Can anyone recommend anything to keep me occupied, preferably things I can order form amazon for family to bring in. Always open to more puzzle book or programme/movie recommendations. I'm normally very active so this will be a nightmare for me!

Audible, it saved my sanity in hospital. Headphones. Find out if the hospital offers any complementary therapies, I used to have a medically appropriate massage every other day. Pyjama trousers with your nightie or top, I used to wear just nighties, never again

Make a list of podcasts to listen to?

Adult colouring books whilst listening to a podcast or audio book. The audiobooks can be borrowed free from Borrow Box or equivalent at the library. BB has ebooks also, and is FREE. I'm sure you know about podcasts, there are threads here recommending some good ones. Like this one

www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5197119-whats-the-best-podcast-youve-listened-to

That's my contribution for now, but if you haven't already, I'd make sure to bring a blackout eye mask and a soft blanket. Trust me..... Hope you will be OK and best of luck with treatment.

Depending on what your in for you might not feel up to to much. I'd maybe start a series and watch it at x time so you have something to look forward too a puzzle book I like word searches . And listen to audible. Do you craft or maybe take up crochet my dd taught herself on you tube. Make sure you have the things you like to snack on and drink . I hope all goes well

last time I was in for weeks I tried to get myself into a "routine " of sorts.it Helped me cope

Sorry it’s probably not what you want to hear but I would sooooo love to go to hospital for a few weeks or months and just have some down time!!
I have about a billion series I’ve never watched that everyone else has. I could read books! And nap! It would be delicious

Be careful what you wish for.

Thanks everyone! Hadn't thought of podcasts and audible, I'll definitely be listening to those, will order some colouring books too. I can't crochet but might get a kit. Pretty much in to put on weight as I've not been able to keep weight on so mentally I'll be getting bored very quickly! I'm not good at resting.

A notebook and pen and magazines. Hope all works out well for you op x

Audiobooks, series from Netflix etc downloaded in case the Wi-Fi isn’t as good as suggested, colouring books, puzzle books, craft kits, jigsaw puzzles ( buy a board so you can close it), magazines,

also, I’ve spent a long time in hospital and you get very dehydrated so decent lip balm and hand cream and moisturiser is very helpful. Plus stuff to get your hair off your face. I had DH bring me clean Pjs every few days and fresh fruit and nicer food than the hospital had ( if you can eat)
good luck

Consider the headphones you take as might not be comfortable if you are lying down or fall asleep, headband ones might be good.

You might get too hot too cold so variable PJs, socks, lightweight blanket etc.

Listening to podcasts … there are some great ones depending what you like.

I personally like reading so would take a few books, but if not maybe adult colouring etc?

Good luck x

Some kind of meditation app to help you de stress and get to sleep? Some have exercise videos built in which could be useful to stretch out in bed. Is there anything you have always wanted to learn? Like a new language or how to code??

Things that were useful for me:
Proper mug for tea - the teacups were tiny!
Warm top blanket - the ward was freezing
Nights are noisy - take ear plugs
Snacks you can/will eat.
A good book.
Prime video - I watched 3 series of the good doctor 🤣
Headphones for TV, and useful to block out noise
Dry shampoo for when you can't get in shower
Crocs for the ward
Adult colouring book & pens

It's a Fair Cop podcast.
A blue tooth sleep mask.
Spotify has lots of good pod casts.
Murdle is a good quiz book.
Spelling Bee and spelling beat on your phone/tablet.

Also, just to say that I hope that it's nothing too bad and that you make a good recovery. X

Try not to think about needing to plan for the whole stay right now. plan for the first couple of days - if you will have people visiting they can bring things in (and take things away) from time to time so you don’t have a huge pile of stuff. I hope the stay goes well.

Believe me it’s only ‘fun’ for the first 2/3 days and probably not even that long if you are sharing a room / bay / bathroom . I’d take an iPad / puzzle books / kindle / something crafty .

I currently love doing jigsaws on my iPad, have got an app downloaded and often just do one whilst listening to a podcast of having a bit of music on and find it really relaxing.
Also do the daily wordle online but lots of other versions of this - my son loves searchable. Good luck

Will second the ear plugs and add an eye mask. It can be very noisy at night times and also lights flashing on and off so they are invaluable for getting some good sleep.

Cross stitch kits. They'll keep your mind busy! And you can use them in greetings cards or as little gifts

I hope it all goes well and you have a swift recovery.

@longadmission are there any languages you want to learn, or on-line courses you could do?

Have you ever stayed in hospital, even for a few nights? It's utterly utterly exhausting. It's noisy, over stimulating, you can't sleep when you need to, you cant get any quiet time, you can't see your family when you want to, you can't eat what you want to.

I got the NYT games app, and for a few quid a month it has a huge archive of great games that runs smoothly.

My dh also gave me his Nintendo switch and I played hours of animal crossing.

If you have an iPad/tablet you can get kindle app too.

I hope all goes well, and to the other poster wishing for a hospital stay to catch up on box sets? Come on now, have a think.

Thank you all for all the suggestions! @OldTinHat I've got a cross stitch kit in my amazon basket. @RausageSoul I'd forgotten about my switch so thank you, and a good shout about the NYT games app. @Ohnobackagain I want to get back into Spanish so will do that thank you!
|I'm making a list of things like blanket, lip balm, eye mask thanks to you all. Completely agree with everyone saying it's not a great place to be. I was in 2 weeks ago for a week and it was exhausting. I'm very lucky the ward is only single rooms but it's still loud and being woken up for obs etc...

Assuming you will be able to use your hands, this might be a good opportunity to start a knitting or crochet project and hopefully you’ll have produced something by the end of your stay.

My dh has been in neurology ward for 2 weeks so far and I'm staying nearby so I'm in from 10-7 most days

It's a really long day! And my lips are cracked and dry as anything from just visiting.

Are you able to wander about? We have been on walks / pushed him to the roof top gardens, visited the various cafes, the art space, the shop lots of times!

We've watched films and series, read books and next week I'm going to take cards and board games in as he should be able to play them now.

There is a painting class on Wednesdays here so maybe there will be be stuff happening at your hospital too.

Audible books would be good.