NWR: "Gift" Ideas

Re: NWR: "Gift" Ideas

• lizandmark2014 member

  

  September 2013

  I would get cross word puzzle books, sudoku and or word search books. Maybe a newspaper or his favorite magazine.

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• daveANDkristen member

  

  September 2013

  This may be above budget, but I can imagine a laptop or tablet would be wonderful if I was holed up in the hospital for a long period of time. DVDs, books, maybe a journal in case he wants to write. Flowers still might be appreciated or maybe a plant. Sorry about your BIL, I hope he will be ok.

  
  

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• doeydo member

  

  September 2013

  To pass the time: books, puzzles, brain teaser books, handheld games (they have things to play Sudoku and stuff like that that are electric, not sure what the price would be), magazines (for sports or whatever he likes), journal, deck of cards, DVDs, portable DVD player if there is none in the room, CDs and CD player or iPod (or iTunes gift card if he already has one) or Mp3 player.

  Food related: junk food (chocolate, candy, chips, etc.) because hospital food typically sucks, soda (you already got him some), bring him some good home-cooked food.

  Clothes: pajamas, robes, and slippers can be quite useful when having a long hospital stay.

  For his room: pictures of him with his family, a get well card that everyone signed, flowers are nice and not necessarily girly, ear plugs (hospitals can be noisy at night with machines beeping, people coughing etc.).

  
  

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• KeptInStitches member

  

  September 2013

  Portable DVD player would be awesome - I know family members of mine who have had extended hospital stays have really enjoyed that.

  

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• hockeywithadiamond member

  

  September 2013

  I second the tablet/portable DVD player.  I've spent a fair amount of time in the hospital as a patient and it blows. A personalized blanket might be nice...like get a photo of the family and have it put on a throw blanket...Chemo can make you feel like you're freezing from the inside out.  

  
  

  Pictures, I liked coloring books, extension cord might be handy if he doesn't already have one...charging your phone is priceless, an iTunes gift card so he can get more games/music/movies, kindle/amazon gift card to get some reading done.  

  
  

  If he's doing chemo a nice soft/fleece hat could be nice also as we get into winter.

   

   

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• ElcaB member

  

  October 2013

  What is he into? If this happened to my brother, I'd get a bunch of OSU stuff (he's a huge fan), like posters to hang on the wall, an OSU blanket, and apparel (hat & scarf for when he gets cold). Hospital rooms are so drab; it'd be nice to spruce it up. 

  
  

  I agree with PPs, a portable DVD player would be amazing. 

  

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• southernbelle0915 mod

  

  October 2013

  Guys like flowers...you could get him a plant for his room if you don't want to do flowers. If you want typical guy stuff though, what about a DVD player or a Netflix subscription? If he has a DVD player in his room already, what about some DVDs? Or a TV series he really likes so he can watch the whole thing. You can check these out for free from your public library also. If you're going to visit a few times a week, maybe you have a constantly rotating supply of movies, audio books and books from the library. Could you hook up your phone to the TV and stream a football game? Bring a tailgate to his room and watch his favorite team?

  
  

  My mom and dad both had cancer and while they were in the hospital, they just wanted simple stuff - like homemade food (sometimes their appetite wasn't up for it though) and a colorful blanket from home. 

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• AM26561 member

  

  October 2013 edited October 2013

  I work with these patients, so just some special information: if he is receiving chemo and/or a bone marrow/stem cell transplant, he will likely not be allowed to have fresh flowers, plants, fruits or vegetables...  (So, maybe balloons that say "get well" instead of a fresh bouquet with card.)  I'd also check with hospital staff or other family to verify what foods he can have.  Many of these patients require a low-bacteria diet, so certain foods are off limits (such as unpasteurized dairy goods, certain cheeses like moldy cheese, again, raw fruits/veg, raw nuts, etc.).

  
  

  Things that help "pass the time" are great.  Movies, books, puzzle books, puzzles themselves, games (cards, board games, etc.).  I really like the idea of a PP of a tablet/e-reader (based on your budget).  

  
  

  I've seen some patients go crazy over nice slippers they can walk around in (it's helpful if they have "grippy" bottoms to prevent slips/falls), or a nice robe or sweatshirt.  Something that is nicer than just regular pjs for when he actually cares to look presentable when walking about.  Hats/beanies are good too.

  
  

  Something for his daughter/family could be nice as well.  He's bearing the brunt of it all, but they're going through a lot too trying to be supportive.  You could get her something to occupy her time as well for when she visits him during long stretches.

  
  

  Then again, so many of these patients are just grateful to receive visitors and spend that time together.  

  
  

  Best of luck!

  
  

  EDIT: extra word

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