So your friend or family member just had surgery and has an ostomy now and you want to get them a present to let them know that just because their life is changing, does not mean you don’t love them anymore. But what to get them?
Here are some ideas that could be good gifts:
- Water bottle – Ostomates need to hydrate and what better way than a handy water bottle to take with them everywhere they go. I have cup with a straw that stays full of water in my fridge for easy sipping at home, as well as a water bottle that I bring when I leave the house. Convenience is key. Dehydration sucks.
- Electrolyte formula – There are tons of brands of electrolyte stuff out there. I’ve heard most often of people using Nuun tablets or ultima powder.
- Wraps from ostomysecrets – These were sent to me by a thoughtful friend soon after surgery. You’ll have to do some detective work, as you need to know a couple measurements to get them the right size.
- Hand sanitizer – Pocket or travel size is perfect, they can add it to their emergency kit.
- Curved ostomy scissors – A lot of the baseplates for bags require you to cut the hole to fit around your stoma and curved scissors make that WAY easier.
- Lotion – Sometimes your skin gets really dry as your body adjusts and heals after surgery.
- Cute little stuffed animal – Some people really feel comforted by stuffed animals.
- Ostomy Accessories
- Ointment to put on their scars (ex. Mederma)
- Lip balm in a fun flavor
- Tea – Ginger helps with nausea, Chamomile is calming, Mint helps with digestion.
After the hospital craziness dies down and your friend or family member is discharged, the support they get from other friends and family might die down. Unfortunately, just because the support dies down doesn’t mean the need is not longer there. Here are some ideas that can be helpful in the weeks following a surgery.
- Snack Basket – Get a cheap basket at your local $1 store and fill it with snacks for the family. You could give them some fruit, nuts, homemade cookies, chocolates, instant oatmeal, easy mac, individually packaged treats, or whatever else strikes you when you’re at the store. The idea is to compile some (not too unhealthy) things that caregivers and their families can grab while they’re on the go. They can keep it at the hospital so they don’t have to leave and purchase food, or keep it in their car, the utility of a snack basket is endless, as are the ideas of things you can include.
- Babysitting – Offer to watch children. If your friend or family member has kids and is in the hospital, they might be stressing about how to make sure their kids are cared for. Or maybe their spouse is trying to juggle time between taking care of the kids and being at the hospital. Regardless of the dynamic, it’s likely that the offer for babysitting will bring some relief. The first couple months of healing can be really draining so the relief might be appreciated beyond just the time they’re in the hospital.
- Freezer meals – Helping out with cooking can be a huge weight off a family’s shoulders. Preparing freezer meals can be helpful for your friend or family member, especially once they’re home from the hospital and are getting less attention from everyone else, but might not quite have the energy for cooking. You can use disposable pans, tupperware or freezer bags so that returning dishes isn’t necessary. Great options for freezer meals include soups, enchiladas, and casseroles. You could even put together portions for individual smoothie servings.
- Gift Cards – A gift card for a local restaurant that delivers can ease the burden of not having the energy to cook.
- Yardwork – Offer to help out by taking care of their yard, watering their plants, mowing their lawn, or whatever else they might need help with around the house.
- Run errands – You probably have to go grocery shopping for yourself, why not offer to pick some stuff up for your friend or family member too?
