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ChihuahuaMomma · Jul 7, 2009, 10:53 PM

HI there, so this is sort of a two-part question.

I have a friend that is hospitalized 300 miles from here, work is preventing me from visiting her. She just awake from a doctor induced coma because of a hole in her heart. I want to do something special for her. I've sent a "thinking of you" card and flowers, I want something a little more personal. Any ideas?

Now, I have a friend that was hospitalized today (BAD motorcycle accident), now what can you do for a guy that will actually mean something? I'm sure cards and flowers are just blocking his view from a 9th story corner room. LOL. Anything cool that I can do for him?

passmeby · Jul 9, 2009, 02:30 PM

For the female friend, I thought maybe sending her phone cards so she can call you and her other friends and relatives when she's feeling low (to avoid those costly hospital phone rates! ). You could also plan out a road trip for when she's well enough. Is there anywhere you two have been wishing to go (within budget, of course! )? If so, you could draw up a cartoonish map showing all kinds of wacky pull-offs like roadside attractions along the way. Or, I'm sure there's been several movies that have come out on DVD since she's been sick, you could always plan a girls night in with popcorn and candy.

For the motorcycle guy, hmmmmm... You could always stop by a bike shop and buy some riding gear (not too expensive, unless you can afford it). No doubt, in the accident he damaged or lost his helmet, protective glasses, and other gear. If you went with a helmet, helmets can be airbrushed to say whatever you want... so do you guys have a "catch phrase" or an inside joke you might want to put on there?

Just some suggestions off the top of my head, if you don't like them or if they won't work for whatever reason, let me know and I can see if I can come up with something else.

My prayers go to your friends, and to you as well as you seem o be a great friend!

J_9 · Jul 9, 2009, 02:35 PM

Are any of these friends in ICU? If so, they are not allowed to have plants or flowers.

artlady · Jul 9, 2009, 02:47 PM

Sorry to hear about your friends.

I was hospitalized for nearly 3 months years ago and my all time favorite gift was books.If your friend is not a reader there is always books on tape.

Crosswords are a great diversion and are great ways to pass the time.

Your male friend may be into video games and perhaps you could borrow someone's game boy or some other hand held game system.(if he is able)

I also did a lot of drawing.

It's a little difficult to know what to suggest without knowing what their hobbies are and if they are heavily medicated and are unable to focus much.

Anything that is a diversion is great.Time seems to stand still when you are confined to bed.

Good luck and best of luck to your friends as well.

passmeby · Jul 9, 2009, 05:15 PM

Like artlady said, I wonder if there's a motorcycle game for Game Boy? That is... unless he's a bit iffy about bikes now! A scetchbook would be good.

Stamps and envelopes might be a good idea for either of them, or do they have a laptop you could bring or ship? Clothes, shoes personal items from home can be comforting... just check first with the hospital if it's OK to bring certain things.

ChihuahuaMomma · Jul 10, 2009, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by passmeby

For the female friend, I thought maybe sending her phone cards so she can call you and her other friends and relatives when she's feeling low (to avoid those costly hospital phone rates!!). You could also plan out a road trip for when she's well enough. Is there anywhere you two have been wishing to go (within budget, of course!!)? If so, you could draw up a cartoonish map showing all kinds of wacky pull-offs like roadside attractions along the way. Or, I'm sure there's been several movies that have come out on DVD since she's been sick, you could always plan a girls night in with popcorn and candy.

For the motorcycle guy, hmmmmm....You could always stop by a bike shop and buy some riding gear (not too expensive, unless you can afford it). No doubt, in the accident he damaged or lost his helmet, protective glasses, and other gear. If you went with a helmet, helmets can be airbrushed to say whatever you want.....so do you guys have a "catch phrase" or an inside joke you might want to put on there?

Just some suggestions off the top of my head, if you don't like them or if they won't work for whatever reason, let me know and I can see if I can come up with something else.

My prayers go to your friends, and to you as well as you seem o be a great friend!!

She's in a coma, she can't call anyone.

And bikes are the last thing that he wants anything to do with.

Thank you for the prayers, our buddy that wrecked his bike had his surgeries yesterday and go to come home today. So he's in bed. I babysat his kids yesterday, and I know that was a weight taken off his shoulders.

ChihuahuaMomma · Jul 10, 2009, 11:53 AM

Ugh, sorry, I just realized that my post says that she is awake now, she slipped into a coma yesterday when a lung collapsed. I'm getting really worried that we won't see her again.

passmeby · Jul 10, 2009, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by ChihuahuaMomma

HI there, so this is sorta a two-part question.

I have a friend that is hospitalized 300 miles from here, work is preventing me from visiting her. She just awake from a doctor induced coma because of a hole in her heart. I want to do something special for her. I've sent a "thinking of you" card and flowers, I want something a little more personal. Any ideas?

Now, I have a friend that was hospitalized today (BAD motorcycle accident), now what can you do for a guy that will actually mean something? I'm sure cards and flowers are just blocking his view from a 9th story corner room. LOL. Anything cool that I can do for him?

My apologies, but the way you worded it, it surely sounded like she had woke up from the coma.

As for motorcycle man, it's hard to say. Many have accidents and get right back on, some never want to touch a bike again. What are his other passions?

J_9 · Jul 10, 2009, 02:27 PM

If she is in a coma she is most likely in ICU. One of the things recommended for people in a coma is a radio with their favorite music, or books on tape. Can you get together some pictures of family and friends that she can have around her when she wakes up?

ChihuahuaMomma · Jul 11, 2009, 10:20 PM

JUST AN UPDATE:

Motorman is at home, he's doing good, up and climbing stairs. My boyfriend and I have been over for the last few days doing dishes, laundry, dog walking, making dinner, and just keeping him company. We ordered the UFC fight on PPV tonight and brought snacks and dinner. We also brought our puppy who was surprisingly gentle and slept on his lap the whole time. So, I think for him he really appreciates people helping than a card or flowers.

And for Ms. Faraway, I did send her a whole bunch of pics from high school and her last visit here, and an Aqua CD (we used to be super lame nerdies in high school). I've left her a bunch of messages on Myspace and Facebook just wishing her well and hoping that she pulls through.

Thanks J_9, I still don't know much about this. Now I know not to send her flowers!

ChihuahuaMomma · Jul 11, 2009, 10:23 PM

PASSMEBY--Please read my post that is directly above yours.

Clough · Jul 12, 2009, 04:18 AM

Hi, Momma!

One of the things that I do is direct a male barbershop chorus. We get calls from people for us to send out a quartet to do "singing telegrams". Although this happens mainly around Valentine's Day, it can be for anytime, any occasion. Most barbershop choruses don't charge very much for any of the services that they'll provide and have a very large variety of old and modern songs that they can sing.

Just a thought for something "different" for you, in case it would be possible and appropriate to do...

Thanks!

ChihuahuaMomma · Jul 12, 2009, 10:04 PM

Haha, that's a great idea! I don't know how much it would be appreciated in either of these situations. But it would be funny to do just on a random day to a friend.

Clough · Jul 13, 2009, 06:47 AM

There also might be a folk guitarist who is also a singer who would be willing to present something to someone.

I know that we have people around here who play and sing who would be willing to do something.

Just a thought...

Thanks!

jenniepepsi · Jul 13, 2009, 11:39 AM

Does she have any children? If she does, you could collect some pictures of her children (or grandchildren, I'm not sure of her age) and create a scrap book for her to keep in the hospital to have available when she wakes up/

ChihuahuaMomma · Jul 13, 2009, 10:24 PM

Nope, she has no children. She just turned 21.