Please help me with some ideas.....

**Strawberry** · 01-19-2005, 01:59 PM

Ds#2 and dd have a friend who is having open heart surgery on January 31st. She is only 23 and this is very scarey for her. She's having three different procedures done at one time.

We would like to put together a care package for her and would like some ideas about what to put in it.

So far we've thought of:

-socks - she likes funny socks
-lip chap
-hand lotion
-a deck of cards
-a joke book - she loves to joke but I'm not sure if this is a good thing considering the pain she'll be in if she laughs

I think there were a few more ideas but I can't think of them right now.

What would you add?

**nodmicks** · 01-19-2005, 02:06 PM

I think those are wonderful ideas! Maybe also a few fashion mags, and a pic of the three of them having fun.

**homesteadmamma** · 01-19-2005, 02:07 PM

Tina, when my mom had her surgery her hands really got dry as did her lips.

So I'm suggesting:

~a small jar of vaseline
~maybe a prepaid calling card (if she has it done in Vancouver)
~peppermints (for dry mouth)
~a puzzle book

**sherrykay** · 01-19-2005, 02:28 PM

Oh that poor sweet girl, that is alot to go through at such a young age,,,,,

Teenage reading material Magazines or books she likes.

What helped me alot in the hopital as petty as it sounds is bath and body works lotions,,,they smell the whole room up and help get rid of that old icky hospital smell.

Alot of company,,,,maybe the kids can get together and make a list of who can visit her on what nights, so she always has company every night and not one night with a packed out roomfull of kids/teens.

My best wishes for this girl!

**Strawberry** · 01-19-2005, 02:54 PM

Thanks ladies! You've mentioned some great ideas.

The surgery will be in Vancouver, 10 hours away from us. I understand that she will only be in the hospital for 5 days after surgery

I'm having a hard time believing that considering the type of surgery. After the 5 days, has soon as she is able, she will be flying back here for her 6 - 8 week recuperation. All the kids are planning the movies and games they'll play helping to keep her from being too bored.

**Missy** · 01-19-2005, 03:02 PM

Can you get ahold of the movie "Patch Adams" it is a glorious movie (with Robin Williams) about the powerful medicine of laughter. He plays a childrens doctor who tries to incorporate humor into his patients medical routine. It was a happy-go-lucky movie that left me feeling good. Might do so good too. Based on a strue story. I think.

How's about slippers, hospital floors are notoriously cold on the feet.

Face and hand creams?

a journal and pretty pen?

**guest2** · 01-19-2005, 03:27 PM

If she does not have one already, a soft fleece robe would be great. Hospital gowns are not known for being snuggly warm or for keeping out the cold air when you get up to sue the bathroom. Get her a sort one so it will not get bunched up around her legs.

**pita1213** · 01-19-2005, 03:28 PM

ask if there is a book she has been wanting to read but never had the time for and get it for her. when my dad had surgery all he most ly did in his room was read, when he wasn't sleeping.

**DaisyLady** · 01-19-2005, 07:06 PM

A TEDDY BEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No one can have surgery of any kind and be expected to recover fully without a teddy bear. Even my dad who was in his sixties when he had his quintuple bypass wanted to cuddle his teddy bear afterwards.

**sunshine** · 01-19-2005, 07:27 PM

I'd check on the vaseline - I agree that she needs some sort of moiserizing agent, but oil based products are big NO NO's around oxygen and other medical equipment.

Also- tell the visitors to limit their time to about 20 minutes. . . patients get tired easily and that hinders their progress.

Sorry- I'll put my nurse hat away now.

A hair brush--- many hospitals don't have brushes, just cheap combs.

Fleece throws for the bed-- so comforting to cuddle under.

Lots of cards. . . . . for the bulletin boards or walls in the room. Banners if they'll let you hang them.

**captclearance** · 01-19-2005, 08:01 PM

When I had my surgery I had the normal cough, I used a pillow to hold up against my chest to help with the pain and presure.... Try making one made of fleece... The teddy bear one they gave me at the hospito; hurt up against my staples.....

**PrairieRose** · 01-19-2005, 11:57 PM

How about hilarious house shoes? You can find some on clearance sales here this time of year......That would be a very fun addition to the basket.

**Julia Kimber** · 01-20-2005, 12:32 AM

Originally posted by DaisyLady
A TEDDY BEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No one can have surgery of any kind and be expected to recover fully without a teddy bear. Even my dad who was in his sixties when he had his quintuple bypass wanted to cuddle his teddy bear afterwards.

My ds and dil brought me a little bear after my op. I loved it!
The hospital staff were admiring it too!

Julia