What would you take someone in intensive care?

[cottonwoolbrain]

DD's friend is in intensive care and is finally allowed visitors after 2 weeks in hospital.

She's apparently rigged up to monitors and has tubes and cables all over the place. she's on morphine. She can't eat so no food. Toiletries are out. She's got netflix and audio books though she can only focus for about 10 minutes if that. No flowers allowed

DD is very worried about her (understandably) and wants to take her something but has no idea what. She's also nervous about going into an intensive care unit but is desperate to let her friend know she's supported. She and her friends have set up a visiting rota to make sure that someone goes in every day it's allowed.

She's 18. What on earth can DD take her except friendship and gossip.

And what should DD know about visiting intensive care?

I'm posting here for traffic. Any advice and ideas would be really appreciated please.

I'm guessing friendship and gossip will be by far the best things to bring.

If she wants to bring something physical, maybe hand cream or lip balm?

Her presence will be the most important though.

A nice blanket, something pretty from primark.
I work in a hospital and the bedding is horrible so she may appreciate a pretty something on her bed that reminds her of her friends ( I know my mum did when she was in recently)

I would say a fluffy blanket or a jelly cat?

Definitely a lip balm selection, maybe mints. Second the soft blanket, even if its a mini one. Something to feel comfort from.

I would take a beautiful card that she can have out and look at. Am sitting here post op and had loads of flowers but couldn't really enjoy them when I was too unwell and they had all died by the time I could! I have a couple of very beautiful cards next to me, with very thoughtful words and really appreciate them (one is so lovely I will frame it afterwards).

My advice would be for her to make sure she is going to be comfortable seeing her friend so ill, all the tubes etc. and just to be very calm and reassuring. Just holding a hand or sitting quietly was all that I could tolerate.

A favourite magazine? Fashion if she's into that, or celeb or music or films...

Just being there will mean a lot to her friend. I think just a small soft toy or blanket for comfort and to remind her friend that people are thinking about her. It will be a shock when she first visits intensive care. Maybe prepare her with what to expect before she goes.

Does she have any nice photos of her with all her friends...maybe print it out and frame it for her

Stuffed toy that is football-shaped and quite form. Friends gave a parrot plush toy for my husband when he was in hospital (not intensive care, but lots of wires). It was (and still is) a great neck pillow for getting comfy for naps etc.

A nice, warm blanket, and a couple of lip balms would be lovely, and useful, I would have thought.

Dry shampoo/ or hair conditioner, is she's any good at braiding- hair gets so tangled when you can't move, and having your hair done neatly and in an easy style you'd have no idea how appreciated it can be!

Depending on budget maybe some PJs. Magazine, lip balm, eye mask, fluffy socks, a little teddy.
I remember when my stepdad was in ICU he couldn’t manage visitors for very long, so DD mustn’t feel bad if it’s only a brief visit.

Could they get together and out together a little photo book of memories for their friend? They could even add qr codes for short videos or related songs/tik toks etc.

Be careful about lip balm if she's on O2, you need to avoid all products containing Vaseline or any petroleum based ingredients.

I've been in ICU and it's the calmest quietest place ever. Never heard a single person get stressed.
Concentration is short. Magazine or nice slippers as she'll hopefully be on the move soon. A good sense of humour involving bodily functions. And a teddy. But just seeing a new face. Be prepared to listen as the friend will have a lot to download.

A little video compilation of well wishes from friends would be thoughtful

How about an old fashioned photo album with what the memories are?
Your DD can sit and show her but it means the nurses can also talk to her about them.

I'd take lip balm and maybe hand cream I've been in intense care my hands were dry as bone, your Dd just needs to as you said friendship and gossip.

Say to her to keep it brief 20-30 minutes will be long enough for them both imo, Your Dd can go back another day.

Lip balm - the air is very dry and if she’s NBM then her lips will be extra dry, even more so if she is on oxygen or intubated.

Blanket - just a little cute fun patterned fleece blanket, from Asda or Primark or similar - the nurses will lay it over the top of her hospital bedding for something comforting to look at and remind her of her friends.

A teeny tiny fake plant in a little pot would be a cute alternative to flowers and won’t take up too much space, but it will make her smile.

Oh this is lovely yes this.

Lip balm, face and hand cream? Help her apply it all if it's safe to do so. Pick unscented stuff. She'll likely have dry skin in the heat of the hospital.

I would take a little jelly cat soft toy, presumably her family will have already bought more practical gifts.

These are all lovely ideas.
If you have the means it would be kind to give some food to her parents assuming they don't have much time to look after themselves

Could she do her nails for her? When my MIL was in intensive care the lovely nurses did her nail and it made her feel a little bit more human! She could buy her a lovely nail varnish and nail care kit do her nails for her then leave them as a gift!

This is a lovely idea.
I also agree that a cuddly animal or blanket would be nice. We all feel small and vulnerable when very unwell but she is really young anyway. Intensive care is a frightening experience, so something that makes her feel comforted in the way you might comfort a younger child is a good idea.