i've reviewed some of the former questions regarding this, but wanted to run this by you .. my bff is having a masectomy next week and i wanted to put together a care package for her .. so far .. based on my readings, this is my list ..
magazines
fuzzy warm non-skid socks
little pillow
little stuffed animal
air freshener or candle (to alleviate hospital smell)
chapstick (non-petroleum kind)
nail file/clear polish
random snacks (fruit, nuts, etc).
small towel for bathroom
coloring book and crayons
small lotion
hand sanitizer
decaf tea
thank you notes
(she's has dvd's and is not into puzzles, etc. and doesn't chew gum or eat much candy .. so that's why those items aren't on the list)
and she's already purchased some helpful clothing .. front closing bra; shirts, etc.
so what is obvious that i'm forgetting?!
thanks so much for your help .. i want her to not want for anything.
xo - L.
thank you to all the mamas who were so helpful and so sweet on this post. my bff's surgery went well - so far 2/3 tests indicate the big C had not spread to her lymph nodes .. but honestly what a horrible ordeal .. it hurt me so much so i can't imagine how it would feel to be the person enduring it. i used almost all of your suggestions (plus i added rubber gloves and some other medical stuff for her hubbie to have) and put it all in a really cute pink overnight bag with lots of pockets. on the notepad i wrote down exactly what was in there so she would know what was in there without having to wonder or search!. can you believe that i found pink earplugs! and for all the snack goodies i put it in a separate bag. she said it was perfect and the most thoughtful thing anyone had ever done for her .. see why she's been my bff since 3rd grade?! that's 35 years of friendship for us - we're 5 days apart in birthdays! again, thank you to all of you . and i hope you and none of your friends EVER need this post! xoxo - L.
What a great friend you are! I am sending warm thoughts for a speedy recovery and for a friendship that lasts for many more decades.
are these items JUST for the hospital room? no smelly stuff! especially w/ a flame. the hospital will have PLENTY of towels. how about a maze book? or some trashy novels?
is she going to radiation or chemo? aquaphor. she is going to get DRY skin.
and I would get clog type slippers, not socks. It might be hard for her to bend over and pull them on. also, lounge wear. not pJ's but, comfy knits. I bought some great stuff at Nordstrom for a friend. target should have some too. I dont know what she'll need to wear on top, but comfy knit, or microfiber bottoms would be nice.
maybe a great comfy blanket? something softer than hospital issue. also, you can change the sheets, make the room more personal.
I just wanted to tell you that you are a wonderful friend!!
T shirts, mens non fitted. that are too big for her..she will have bandages and drains for several day +.....lotion for arms and legs....and maybe offer to drive her to the Dr for her 1st visit....most of all, she will need to have someone to listen to her..to really listen.
Ear plugs (again to block out noise - soft squishie kind that can expand in your ear...)
Warm comfee slippers she doesn't have to bend over to put on
Pair of CHEAP shower shoes (don't know if they'll let her take a shower but seriously, whatever I wear in the bathroom when I go to the hospital STAYS at the hospital - in the trash - along with whatever germs they pick up.)
Change for snack/drink machine for hubby/support person (they get hungry, too!)
I am a nurse....the one thing I would want as a patient is something to block the noise and the lights. Eye mask for me and either an ipod of some kind or a white noise machine. One of the quickest roads to recovery is lots of good sleep.
Hi Leslie,
Wat a great friend you are, to put together such a thoughtful package for your friend.
How about a really nice journal and pen? Sometimes it helps to write stuff down when feeling frustrated.
Also, some home cooked meals and and and offer to clean the house once in a while, perhaps?
Please give your friend my very best, and let her know that I will be thinking of her often, and hoping for a speedy recover.
Take care,
L.
You are an awesome BFF!!! Your ideas are wonderful. I am sure just having you there will be such a great gift for her!
What an amazing friend, she's a lucky woman to have a friend like you.
The only thing I thought of while reading your list was an issue with the candle. I would be the hospital will not allow a lit candle in the room, fire hazard and all. If you get her a candle, get one that has a strong scent that she can smell just by removing the lid. Otherwise, a room freshener that does not require a flame.
Have a blessed day!
Mattering on how easily she gets cold, you might want to give her a blanket for the hospital stay
How about making (or buying if available) a book of hugs and kisses. She can give them to whomever she needs to when she feels a little low.
I had the same procedure, so here are some of my suggestions.
Reusable ice packs. Slippers are best, having to put on or re-arrange socks causes more pain by moving. Hair brush, something to put your hair up with, rubber bands, scrunchie, etc. Dental floss. Comfortable gown that has buttons or snaps down the front. She will NOT be able to raise her arms to put anything over her head. Some type of Goo remover for all that godly icky tape residue. and .. the BEST thing. Straws. Having to sit up, even 1" to take a sip is extremely painful. The hospital may provide some of these things, but she will still need them when she goes home.
Hope this helps.
Sounds like a great list -- however, no candles, or at least check with the hospital, as I'm pretty sure they will not allow open flames (air freshener should be ok).
You're a good friend...
I was in the hospital once...for a different reason, and my BFF came in and painted my toe nails for me. It was so sweet and so nice of her and just nice to have pretty toes when I didn't feel like the rest of me was pretty at all.
Best of luck to your friend.
-M
I had a masectomy 6 years ago. I was in the hospital 7 days due to I had reconstuctive surgery as the same time. I wished I had an Ipod or portable cd player because I could not use my left arm and could only read so much. Watching TV/DVD's was also good but again for only so long. The other thing that might be nice is a sign saying welcome for visiters on one side and not up to visiters on other. I know that people wanted to visit me all the time but sometimes I was just not up to it but without anything to say that I was stuck seeing everyone. God Bless to you and your friend.
Maybe some sort of journal where she can get her thoughts out?? Maybe you write in the first page of the journal telling her that with or w/o a boob, she's a complete woman and should never think any less of herself.
Maybe you need some funnies in there somewhere. If she is a normal woman, this masectomy may be very depressing. Do they make mugs or cards that lighten up the tension that comes with masectomy?
Does she have a soft, comfortable robe? When I gave birth (I know it's not the same, but it was still a hospital stay!) I was so happy I brought a soft robe. I was really cold and it was very warm and comfy. Someone got me a really soft pillow case, kind of like a minky fabric. I never would have thought of it, but it was SO awesome! It was so relaxing and comfortable to lay my head on that pillow!
Similar to the ipod, if she has one already, a iHome, or something similar (I have seen them for like $20) to play the music. I'm not sure if it is something she can use there or not, and maybe someone that has had the surgery can say if it would help, but you might want to look at booby tubes. I think that is what they are called. You put them in the fridge and then into your bra when you are nursing. This might feel really good after the surgery and help with any swelling.
Notebook to write random thoughts or to do lists. Toiletry bag that can hang in the bathroom.
Don't know if these are in your budget, but it was all I could come up with.
