Stuff for long hospital stay.....

[BernardandMissBianca]

DH and I always brought my MIL a nail apron, just the cheap canvas ones, from Home Depot. We loosely tied the apron to the bed rail. It was great for putting chap stick, lotion, a pen etc in the pockets.

 

[Chelley00]

DH and I always brought my MIL a nail apron, just the cheap canvas ones, from Home Depot. We loosely tied the apron to the bed rail. It was great for putting chap stick, lotion, a pen etc in the pockets.

Someone gave me a shoe holder that tied at the top to hang over the bed rail, and filled each holder pocket for me when I was in the hospital in March. They put:

crossword puzzles, word search books
packages of fun pens, notecards
chapsticks
trial size lotions (no scents)
Itunes giftcard
coloring books and crayons (that was actually a fun, mindless thing to do)
handheld games (Tetris and Battleship)
fun, novelty socks
fuzzy slipper socks
manicure kit with tweezers (this came in SOOO handy!)
toothbrush and trial size mouthwash and toothpaste
lots of mints, gum, hard candy, suckers to help with nausea and dry mouth
small compact mirror
hand sanitizer
change (great to give the kids to go get a soda from the vending machine when they came to visit)

I'm sure there was more. I just can't think of what else was in there!

Also, someone brought me a huge fuzzy blanket. It was so nice to curl up in that instead of the stupid scratchy hospital blankets.

 

[HonnyDipp]

I spent several weeeks in a hospital due to my muscle disease. I demanded my iPod and my portable DVD player. But dont forget the chargers!
Pics from home
flowers
loose paper for journal or blog
chapstick
favorite hand lotion
comfortable bathrobe
hand sanitizer
own shampoo/body soap
calling cards for long distance calls
eye drops
condiments (ketchup, mustard, salt pepper) cause the food trays never supply enough
plenty of extra blankets and pillows
comfy gowns or pjs, those hospital gowns are ok for a few days, but after a while they drive you nuts. Tank tops and sports bra's work well too
lots of scrunchies and scarfs for the hair
lots of loose change in case you have to wash her clothes
extra laundary basket for her own personal clothes, if they get mixed up with the hospitals, she may never see them again
set up with the nurse to see if she can get the daily newspaper sent to her room
a nice big personal water cup

 

[Disneyadore]

Maybe a pre paid card for her lap top?
I always take my lap top and stay in touch with my family and the world outside during my hospital stays.

 

[mamajoan]

You may think this suggestion is odd... but if your friend wears make up on a daily basis.... you may want to get her a travel mirror, and some new make up that she has been wanting to try out. If she has her nails manicured.. get her a travel manicure set that includes a buffer. Sometimes when you are in the hospital for an extended period of time ... you just feel better putting on some make up and street clothes... even a new pretty sweat suit/jogging suit might be a nice idea.

donuts for the medical staff is nice too.

Best wishes and many good thoughts to your friend.

 

[starann]

As an oncology nurse who has taken care of many AML and ALL patients, these are all really good suggestions!

My biggest tip would be to make sure nothing is scented (lotions, chap stick etc).....once the chemo starts to 'kick in' nausea may follow and scents may make her really bring out the nausea!

While it is really boring, a lot of patients feel too sick to do much once they start treatment!

Just a reminder, fresh fruits and veggies and flowers/plants are usually not allowed as they MAY carry bacteria (cooked is usually ok).


I wish your friend the best!

 

[krcit]

As an oncology nurse who has taken care of many AML and ALL patients, these are all really good suggestions!

My biggest tip would be to make sure nothing is scented (lotions, chap stick etc).....once the chemo starts to 'kick in' nausea may follow and scents may make her really bring out the nausea!

While it is really boring, a lot of patients feel too sick to do much once they start treatment!

Just a reminder, fresh fruits and veggies and flowers/plants are usually not allowed as they MAY carry bacteria (cooked is usually ok).


I wish your friend the best!

Thank you!

I had a friend who unfortunately passed away from leukemia but I remember her telling me about the lotions and then joking that she could open up her own Bath and Body Works store

If you can think of any other ideas please let me know. Thanks

 

[scbelleatheart]

As an oncology nurse who has taken care of many AML and ALL patients, these are all really good suggestions!
The best suggestion yet

My biggest tip would be to make sure nothing is scented (lotions, chap stick etc).....once the chemo starts to 'kick in' nausea may follow and scents may make her really bring out the nausea!

While it is really boring, a lot of patients feel too sick to do much once they start treatment

!

Just a reminder, fresh fruits and veggies and flowers/plants are usually not allowed as they MAY carry bacteria (cooked is usually ok).


I wish your friend the best!

The best suggestion. Let them sleep not try to entertain guests.

 

[golfgal]

If allowed, a humidifier for her room-the air in the hospitals is SO dry. If they don't allow one, place wet towels over the air register in her room or set a pot with water over the air register.