My 17 year old niece is having spinal fusion surgery next month for her scoliosis. I plan to send her a care package or 2 to have for her recovery. Do you have any ideas for what would be good to include?
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I had that surgery in 2000!! PM me if you have more questions!
I'd say reading material and maybe an amazon gift card for renting movies. I was pretty prone for a while after. I was able to have a laproscopic spinal fusion and still remember vividly going for a walk to the mail box (half a block) a week post op being a huge effing deal. And being wiped afterwards. I was in the hospital for a week after the surgery and had lots of DVD's for that time.
Maybe dry shampoo? I remember feeling like a hot mess and when visitors came it was... embarrassing. Pee bag hanging to that side, lung juice bag hanging to the other... I couldn't get out of the hopital bed to shower so any sort of product to spruce up without getting up....
Hospital chair for the shower at home was priceless for several weeks. Don't know if they have that lined up already...
I'll come back to post more if I think of any other ideas
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@knittylady: Thank you for the ideas! I will ask my SIL about the hospital chair. I like the dry shampoo idea. I was thinking lip gloss too and maybe nail polish though I am guessing she won't be able to paint her nails for awhile.
I may PM you about the recovery it sounds awful. -
Idk about hospital stays but I have a 17 year old sister and if it were her I'd send:
-cute/weird socks
-Kindle/Amazon/iTunes gift card for books and movies and music (maybe magazines if she's not a big book reader?)
-candy/snacks
-a funny/cute pillow or bed tray
-crossword book or something similar
-cookies!
-giftcard to her favorite restaurant for take-out.
-nice lotion and soap for sponge bathsMy sister isn't a big girly girl but if she were I may send her some makeup/nail polish to play with, because I know a bunch of her friends are into watching makeup and nail art tutorials on YouTube.
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I'm a pediatric nurse on a spine ortho floor. I have a lot of empathy for our spinal fusion patients. recovery is incredibly hard work but they improve so much during their stay. I love watching and supporting their progress. Each day is a little better.
Gift suggestions:
Lip balm!
Facial cleansing wipes
Deodorant
Maybe throw in some menstrual pads if that's not too weird - the shock to the system makes a lot of girls start their cycle and the hospital only usually has those giant uncomfortable pads
Dry shampoo
Slipper socks/socks with non slip sole
Loose fitting soft robe
Chewing gum (supposed to help GI function return)
Pillows that aren't too fluffy
drink concentrate drops like mio etc - (noncaffeinated)or other clear juice/drink she likes
Easy to get on PJ pants for going home/at home
I loved someone else's suggestion for a shower chair at home.Let me know if you have any specific questions I will do my best to answer. Been awhile since I logged on, was just lurking today and had to comment on this one.
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@newlypregnantlady: @Fronkinzankinsbride: thank you!!!
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@autumnleaves: additionally if at any point she'd like to someone who is on the other side of the surgery I'd be very happy to talk. In my day they had a bulletin board up at the hospital with letters from previous patients and it was helpful. People have been shocked at how physically normal my life has been since. Bikram yoga, hiking, two natural labors etc
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I would get one of those really cool lapdesks from Pottery Barn Teen.
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