Gift ideas please

[carolyorkie2010]

As readers of my posts will know, my Brother is in intensive care having broken his back and is paralysed from the chest down. I would like to send him a gift but can't think of anything appropriate and wonder if you lovely peeps could make some suggestions. Flowers are no longer allowed in hospitals, so that idea is out. He doesn't read books or do puzzles; music I'm not sure about. Thanks in advance for any ideas.

[ilove2patch]

What about a basket of fruit? Not very original but it's hart to come up with much.

[rose2008-2008]

Nice treats to eat that he maybe likes?. Or nice fruit?.

I was going to say an ipod type of thing if he is into music but i do not know how much they are Carol. i think you can preload them with favourite songs.

Or nice washbag or mens toiletery  items?.

Carol big hugs to you, this must be hard for you all in your family. My thoughts are with you.  

[stroppy*cow]

Does the hospital have those individual TV screens and bedside phones - if he enjoys tv a card for the tv might be a good idea, or credit for the phone might help him.

Is his mobile phone on contract - if it is pay as you go a credit voucher might help him to keep in touch with freinds or family.

A small radio with headphones - the available channels on the hospital system aren't always to everyone's taste.

If he doesn't read, how about audio books?

If you could collect a load of menus for the local takeaways that will deliver to the hospital that always help as the food is not always great - not a "present" as such, but something useful.

If he is any sort of a letter writer, writing paper, envelopes, stamps and a nice pen.

Nice biscuits or some sweets - it is often nice to have something that can be shared with the nurses.

[carolyorkie2010]

Forgot to mention that he is diabetic as well, but there should be some nice chocolates or biscuits for diabetics?  At present though, he is having difficulty breathing, so I really am stuck. Thanks for the ideas so far. Would need to post the gift as he is in Addenbrooke's and lives in Clacton - on- Sea.

[captainbovine]

don't bother spending your money on diabetic chocs etc, they're not worth the money and are just as bad as sugary ones. He can have small amounts of ordinary stuff.

Stroppy ideas are really good, especially the cards for the tv and the headphones and radio.

How is he doing? he really is going through the wringer isn't he, bless. xx

[carolyorkie2010]

Yes, CB, he really is going through it. They took the tube out of his mouth yesterday and thats why he is having trouble breathing. Going to be a long, slow process, but we have to be thankful that he is still with us. Thanks for the advice about the diabetic chocs. Also thanks to the other peeps for the suggestions, much appreciated.

[tintinthegingertomcat]

When my brother was in hospital some years ago having smashed his pelvis the most welcome thing that I took him, and he shared it with others on the ward, was salt. As they didnt allow salt sachets with the food as provided for by the hospital this was a gift most welcome. I think I also took in ketchup and other stuff. Not an ideal gift, but my brother was over the moon 🙂

[captainbovine]

there ya go then, it's the most basic of things that make the best presents!

mind you, when he's feeling a bit better, the best present you could give him would be a visit from you.

[stroppy*cow]

It might be worth contacting the hospital chaplain at Addenbrooks - I have always found the hospital chaplaincy team a  very helpful group of folks. Without pushing the religious aspect, they often have volunteers who can pop in every few days and just check if there is anything that he needs fetching - they would nip and buy me tissues, or a carton of fruit juice when I was unable to escape to the shop myself. I am sure that if you sent them a cheque they would see to cards for the phone or TV for him. The tea and coffee in hossie is often pretty yukky, so if a volunteer could take him a really nice cup of coffee, or tea that might be appreciated.

You could chat to the nurses on the ward and see whether they could keep him supplied with ice if you sent him a wide necked thermos flask - great to suck on ice cubes, and also the water is easier to drink if it is actually cold. The staff at our hossie all laugh at my thermos flask, but will happily re-fill it with ice cubes for me.

If you could find some citrus-y scented face and hand wipes they are good for freshening up - I use baby wipes, but your brother might not appreciate that.

Skin can get very dry, so a neutral moisturising lotion like E45 can be useful.

He's probably missing freinds and family, so if you can print out pictures of those he is close to, laminate them and send them with some blu-tack and some 3m "magic tape" so they can be put where he can see them. I suggest the "magic tape" because it is less tacky and can be removed fairly easily.

[fluffypenquin]

He's probably missing freinds and family, so if you can print out pictures of those he is close to, laminate them and send them with some blu-tack and some 3m "magic tape" so they can be put where he can see them. I suggest the "magic tape" because it is less tacky and can be removed fairly easily.

I think that is a brilliant suggestion.  I have been trying to think of something to suggest and I know that you said he does not read books, but perhaps if you could find him a book of something that he is really interested in, he may give it a go.  For me the perfect gift would be an ereader but everyone is so very different.  Could you perhaps borrow a portable DVD player and find some DVD's that he would enjoy watching - anything to help pass the time - he must have such a lot going on his head - that perhaps he needs something to try and put the horrid things that are happening just that little bit further back in his mind.

[carolyorkie2010]

Yes, the photo's sounds a good idea; I've got a laminator, so no problem there. I agree, CB, the best present would be for me to visit him when things are abit more settled. Thanks everyone, for your suggestions, much appreciated. xx

[carolyorkie2010]

I've sent my Brother a toiletries gift set and sent him some photo's; poor lad, he isn't any better, still in ICU; he is now waiting for a Tracheotomy. 

[barefoot.biker]

😞 Aw not easy.

Poor man I have no suggestions

[fishpieface]

Oh dear Carolyorkie, what an awful thing to happen, poor man.  However did he

do that? (Sorry, that was a bit nosey.)

Is there any magazines he likes?  Maybe a subscription to a favourite.  On a practical

note, maybe new PJ's or a nice dressing gown, though he probably won't wear them

just yet but would be nice and comfy for when he's a bit better.

He must be really going through it right now, both physically and emotionally, as must

the rest of your family.  I do feel for you and hope and pray for strength for you all and

that he is soon making improvements along that long road to recovery.

Hugs,

Fishy

[carolyorkie2010]

Thanks, Fishy, for your kind words and good wishes. He slipped on a wet, marble floor in a restaurant abroad. He's finally gone for the Tracheostomy this morning, so hopefully they will be able to clear his chest eventually.Going to be a very long road for him, just hope he can get his head round knowing he will never walk again. xx