(no subject)

[rivka]

If you were going to be spending several days in the hospital at the side of your sick toddler, what could someone bring you that would make things easier?

My friend Emily's husband decided to cancel his business trip, so she's at least going to have someone consistent to help, and give her breaks. But she's going to be the one spending nights at the hospital and so forth. Zoe's still very sick - they've given up on the idea that she'll be able to go home before Thursday or Friday at the earliest.

I'm going by to visit tonight. I'm planning to bring coloring books, crayons, and stickers for Zoe, and my electric kettle filled with herbal tea and cocoa packets for Emily. (I suspect that all they'll have on the unit is a coffee pot, and Emily is an observant Mormon.) I'm also going to bring by a light and frivolous novel.

Any other suggestions?

Comments

[elisem.livejournal.com]

I agree with the wet-wipes suggestion.

Clean socks and any other needfuls.

Stationery and stamps and a pen.

Maybe magazines she can read and then leave behind for others when she's done? (Sometimes a person doesn't want to take stuff home, either because they've finished it or because they don't want too much kipple that reminds them of the hospital and the waiting and stuff.)

I also agree with the suggestion of a container or bin or zippered bag or something, empty, to accomodate stuff that accumulates during this sort of stay.

A notebook to keep track of calls, of doctor/nurse/medtech visits and advice, and to make notes on things to do later. Keep the notebook small enough to be tucked into a pocket or purse, and attach a pencil on a string if possible.

[electricland.livejournal.com]

A notebook to keep track of calls, of doctor/nurse/medtech visits and advice, and to make notes on things to do later. Keep the notebook small enough to be tucked into a pocket or purse

Baby Moleskine cahiers (http://www.moleskine.com/eng/_interni/catalogo/Cat_int/catalogo_cahiers.htm) are excellent for this, if you feel like splurging. ;)