To ask what's the best thing anyone's brought you in hospital?

[brotherhoodofspam]

Sorry it's not really an AIBU but I'm looking for some inspiration. I'm traveling across the country this morning to visit my Mum who had quite major orthopaedic surgery yesterday - going to be in hospital for quite a few days, and am trying to think what would be nice to bring her. So far have home made cards from DCs, and card from DH and I, planning to get her favourite magazine, maybe some nice hand cream, she's not feeling like eating so wondered about some cherries or similar to pick at but not sure if you're allowed to take food in these days. So I was wondering if the good people of Mumsnet could tell me what was the best thing someone's ever brought you when in hospital.

Does she need a charger for her phone?
Would she use a tablet with games or a kindle. A tablet could also get netflicks if she has access to wifi.

Big Mac after DS was born.He was born at 1 am, and there was none of the famed tea and toast available. Next morning there was ONLY tea and toast available and I was starving. DH god bless him bought me a Big Mac.

I inhaled it.

Earplugs, eyemask, her own mug or flask, pillow, a couple good books, biscuits and fruit, knickers, a nice new nightie and slippers, nice face cream/hand cream and dry shampoo

The nice single serve kids fruit from Asda or tesco - the pineapple lollies are particularly refreshing. Blistex do a cream lipbaln in a tube which is great for horrible dry lips post surgery. Also a fleecy blanket from primark as hospital bed covers are rubbish.

Oh and tea bags- the tea from the big pot was vile so I asked for water and milk in a cup and made my own. Much better.

Crisps and fruit.
Toothpaste.

A case of fizzy water. I really miss my late MIL.

Big mac, KFC, my fave chocolate, lucozade etc. If she likes a particular brand of chocolates get her a box?

I'm often in for a week at a time if I have transplant rejection or more surgery, so I like to take a colouring book and pencils, kindle loaded with books and my phone and tablet with an extra data bolt on. I also knit, crochet and cross stitch, so I take a small project with me (although last time I was working on a blanket and had that with me, lol!).

Lip balm. Get proper Vaseline or Chapstick, not the flavoured/tinted ones. Moisturisers and toiletries. Nice snacks xxx

My mother in law brought me lovely soft freshly washed pillowcases. They were so lovely to sleep on after the hard scratchy hospital ones!

My best friend brought me a giant chocolate cake. Now that was good and got me lots of brownie points with the nurses!!

A lavender bag, I was on a lot of painkillers and they weren't doing anything for my backache. Some lipbalm and ice cubes.

Small cartons of juice that they had frozen, plus some cold ones. It was so hot in there, and that was lovely.

My folks brought me an egg custard tart after I'd had my appendix out and was cleared to eat. The hospital food was truly awful. I practically inhaled the tart.

My wonderful MIL brought me a goodie bag of posh snacks after having DS

I had packed my own in my hospital bag, but they were naff in comparison. There were posh little cheesy crackers, posh nuts, large bags of chocks, and a couple of bottles of posh soft drinks. It was divine!

Have a look at travel toiletries.

When my friend was in hospital I made her up a gift bag with everything inside wrapped individually in tissue paper. Off the top of my head I put in

Hand cream
Lip balm
Facial wipes
Moisturiser
Body spray
Deodorant wipes
Magazines
Biscuits

I even went through my bathroom and popped in some little perfume samples etc that I hadn't used

Elderflower cordial to disguise the drinking water.
Nice scented soap and a soft hand towel.

Morphine.

Homemade cake.
Bottled water.
Hand sanitizer.
Homemade sandwiches. Snacky food, pork pies etc.
Fresh flowers.
Orange juice.

A Nintendo 3DS fully charged with games. It sounds a tad childish but is one hell of a boredom killer and there's lots of adult games. I get no phone signal in hosp so couldn't do anything on my smartphone even load a game!

Adult colouring book with fineliner pens.

I was in for 3 weeks last year, DH bought me frozen bottles of water each day (it's so hard to get anything properly COLD!), fruit- I wanted Grapes and melon cubes once I was eating, eyemask, music device and headphones to block out all the beeping drips/snoring/other idiots overnight. Good face wipes- bliss!! Your own blanket and pillow make you feel much more comfy and cosy.

An eye mask (not a silky one they slip off against the pillows), hand cream and berries. It was so lovely to have strawberries.

Also simple face wipes - they are cheap but do a nice job of making you feel fresh and an adult colouring book.
Audio books helped me no end when I couldn't hold a book. If she has a smart phone then Audible is a great way to access them.

My dbil spent time in hospital. As I arrived in always went and got him a hot cup of tea from the Costa on site. He said afterwards he always loved it because he always got cold tea or at best lukewarm ( he is blind and they were always putting tea and food down when he was dozing and never told him) stop me now I'm going to rant!

Grapes. When you've been on hospital food for a few days it can start to bung you up. Grapes are clean and easy to eat.

Kindle
Fresh clothes every day especially knickers
Practical stuff at home eg water the plants, feed cats etc
Boiled sweets or chewing gum
Bed socks
Puzzle books
Post - so she doesn't go home to a pile of bills