Best things to take a friend in hospital.

[Muchtoomuchtodo]

A friend has had unplanned surgery and will
be in hospital for at least a week.

I’m fortunate enough to not have been in this position. What would be good to take in when we visit this weekend. It’s for a mid 40’s, usually fit and active, likes gardening and walking, single male.

Take some decent food. Salad pots, fresh fruit pots, general nice things to eat. Hospital food is awful.

I came on to say food too. I took in poached pears, casseroles, sandwiches & soups. Lidl has delicious poke bowls that are eaten cold. My local hospital has a very busy M&S branch!

Sorry, I should have said. He’s ended up with a (hopefully) temporary stoma so not sure about food. I can definitely ask if there’s anything that he particularly fancies though

A pair of slippers is a must. And if you wanted to stretch to more, pjs & toiletries

Has he got a charger for his mobile?

And books and magazines.

Jelly, custard, yoghurt that doesn't need to be in the fridge. My throat was sore after my op and a lot of the hospital food was scratchy. I lived on these! Anything that is tasty and can be kept in the bedside locker.
I would have loved someone to have brought me a puzzle book. I had books but not the concentration to actually read properly.

An ice lolly. You can usually buy them in the hospital shop. They are popular with patients who can't take solids.

a nice, large water bottle or cup, ear plugs

All good suggestions. Thanks so much.

i’ll be sure to take pens for the puzzle book, spoons that can be lost for the custards, rice puddings etc and a selection of magazines.

We’re sorting a laundry rota to make sure he’s got plenty of comfy clothes and pj’s and luckily he grabbed a phone charger when he was taken in

I’d ask op, I really would

Those tiny squeezy bottles of squash if he is allowed to drink squash. Fruit if he is allowed. Good books that don't require much thinking.

My mum in law did me a little keeping fresh bag. Harder with a male but some tissues, hand wipes, dry shampoo that sort of thing might go down well.

Extra long charger can he helpful.

Underwear and socks where one of the things I didn't have or fresh clothes. I dressed from the op straight back into street clothes I came in with 😬 Also bathing things. Simple bits like body wash, toothbrush, toothpaste, moisturiser, deodorant. You get sweaty and nasty on a ward.

Practical items are things to pass the time depending on their ability in illness.

I would probably ask.... And books and magazines and nice toiletries definitely a good idea. Even a nice dressing gown if your finances run to it? Hope your friend feels better soon.

Has he got headphones with him?

Puzzle books
adult colouring books and coloured pencils

This would be utterly wasted on me

hence why best to ask

Wipes, godsend for when your feeling sweaty but not up to a full shower but also to to wipe down surfaces around your bed.

A cheap pair of sunglasses or a sleep mask! I found my eyes got really sensitive with the lights being on for so long each day.

Also, I'd recommend sliders or flip flops rather than slippers because they can be worn in the shower and easily rinsed if the bathroom is in need of cleaning...

Burts bees lipgloss/chapstick (or other colour free one). The air con can make your lips and skin very dry.

Chewing gum is good to get stoma working and marshmallows slow it down if it's working too well. He'll likely be on low fibre so things like plain crackers, rich tea biscuits to snack on. Check if he's got enough loose clothing as he'll be very swollen and sore. Slipper socks.

Phone charger and headphones, if he has a tablet that would be useful to get to him, so he can watch things on catch-up.
A book of puzzles if he’s that sort of person? Or even a mindful colouring book! Or some magazines/books.
Some mints or humbugs, chocolate eclairs maybe (would need to check against a stoma! Or maybe just chewing gum?)
Baby wipes and deodorant, a simple toiletries bag with bits like that. A comb!

I really wanted mints or boiled fruit sweets when I was in hospital.

A rechargeable little fan. Hospital wards can be really hot.