My mom was rushed to the hospital Saturday night due to abdominal pain. She has diverticulitis, colitis and is having surgery to remove her gall bladder tomorrow. This is a pretty big deal. My mom is the type to never complain even in intense pain and I don't remember the last time she went to the doctor. My parents help us out a ton and are a huge support for my family. I want to do something nice for them but I've already made the mistake of brining her favorite food when she wasn't allowed to eat due to testing they wanted done. I'm not sure if it would be safe to send dinner tomorrow? Or maybe just have my girls make her a card/send balloons? My girls are busy bodies so I don't plan on visiting post surgery unless I can go alone so these items would need to be delievered by either a service or my brother. What would you do?
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Sorry to hear about this. I would probably send flowers and a card. Cleaning the house sounds really nice but it could be more stressful upon return (e.g. something is accidentally moved).
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I think cleaning your parents home would be the most useful for when she first comes home. Maybe make some a day or two worth of food for your dad and whatever is on the approved list for your mom. This way he can focus more on helping her out when she first comes home.
Sorry she's having surgery; hope surgery & recovery go well for her!
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I would send flowers and grandkids made cards, clean the house, and stock the kitchen with basics like milk, fruit, granola bars, a couple frozen casseroles, soup, yogurt.
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@winter_wonder: @Mrs. Lemon-Lime: @MrsSRS: thanks all! She said if she's managing the pain well she can go home tomorrow so I'm not exactly sure how much I will actually have time for but I'll do my best!!
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@Mrs. Sunshine: I hope all goes well with your mom. I would see what is on the approved food list, and send a nice meal.
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My brother was hospitalized last year and my mom was staying overnight with him (long story, he's disabled). I asked her if I could send my housecleaner over and she said no. So, I went over to her house and did a few loads of laundry, cleaned up the kitchen (they left in an ambulance), made sure that there were snacks at the hospital for her and my dad, etc.
The most challenging part was actually when they came home, do you know what the recovery is going to be like?
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I'm sorry for your mom. How about a gift card to a prepared food service, so that she can order what she likes when she is home and recovering?
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@looch: I'm not sure. I know it's a closed surgery, so small incision and that she can't lift more than 10 lbs. if she is managing pain well she can go home today. If not she has to stay another night
@catlady: I like that idea -
If you go the food path, definitely get an approved food list. I had to stay away from fatty foods post gall bladder surgery. And I know diverticulitis has it's own list of no-go foods.
I'm sure something from the kiddos would lift her spirits and add some joy to her recovery.
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The food route is hard. I would see if you can get an approved food list from doctors. I know from my family experiences small seeds (e.g. strawberries), chips, popcorn, etc are no good for diverticulitis. As far as colitis, that can get trickier because different people have different triggers and sometimes things vary by day, unfortunately. Still worth a try to be helpful, even if it's just buying some basic groceries.
And cleaning her house, who wouldn't love that?!
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With diverticulitis she may not be able to eat solid food for a while. I'm not sure if it affects her like that but my husband couldn't - he lived on pureed food for a while. I would stay away from making food and maybe offer to grocery shop. Ask her what she would like you to get for her. Or ask for a list that the doctor will give her of approved foods.
Be there for her, if you can. Just be at the house in case she needs something.
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I would help with cleaning and food after she's home and has had a chance to settle. Having her bathroom cleaned next week might help more yanno? If anything I would make sure your dad has easy to eat foods for himself that he can fix and then figure out mom food after she's home. I'm sure the card from the girls and flowers on her bedside table will be plenty for now. If you want to do something right this second it might be nice to come home to clean sheets in a nicely made bed and maybe some magazines or books to read.
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I'd send a card and flowers/balloons and maybe a cute video from the kids
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Thanks y'all. She's doing well. The girls made her cards and I spent a little time with her when she got done.
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