What can I do for my best friend's mom -- bored and restless in hospital w/ life-threatening blood disease?

My best friend's mom is in the hospital and probably will be for a while. I'm trying to think of a gift package I can send with some things to kep her mind busy. (She hates TV. and she sits in silence most of the day.) I've thought about word search books, small craft projects, magazines and books. Any other ideas to cheer her up and occupy her time? THANKS!

Answers:
How about taking LOTS of pictures of people and places in her life? Then have them developed, the old fashioned way, and give them to her along with an empty picture album.
She can then arrange them and write names, places, dates, etc. under the pics. When she is done she should enjoy looking through her album often and sharing it with visitors.

Well, books and magazines are always a good idea(as they can take a lot of time, and most are really fun to get into(fellow book worm here)

Puzzles are a good way to kill time, and as well: sing to her, talk to her about music:)
one thing i am sure she will value while she is in the hospital and when she is out is a JOURNAL, i advise you to make sure one of the things you provide for her is a beautiful journal. the best looking one you can find, maybe in the color that you've seen her wear the most, something nice and uplifting. with this journal she will be able to chronicle probably the worst time in her life, detailing how she feels from day to day. the days where the tears came and they just wouldnt stop, the tiresome days, the struggle as well as the glorious day when she leaves. this gift she will absolutely love.
I think those are great ideas, what about movies ?
When I am at home sick I tend to read a lot, so maybe some books by her favorite authors. Magazines are also great, shorter articles. I really like National Geographic and Discover, magazines that allow you to educate yourself and be entertained. I also cross stitch and knit and that kills a lot of time.

I don't particularly care for TV either, but I love movies so try bringing some DVDs, most hospitals have DVD players patients can use.
Lots of people seem to enjoy knitting these days..you know, with that cool material with the little frayed metallic pieces coming out of it? They make really cute scarf accessories. Anyway, lots of women are doing this at kids' sports practices (ie just sitting there waiting for their child, they can still watch their kid and visit with friends at the same time too LOL!) and they end up with neat gifts for friends.

I had a friend take it up last year and she just taught herself how to do it, it seems pretty easy and I think you could do it sitting in a hospital bed. I'm sure someone at a knitting or other sewing shop could help you with a "getting started" kit.
You must know her age.
Get her "music" from the past.
Her high school era, her marriage era, and especially any of her favorites, up to the present.
She'll need a player, with ear phones. A good one.

Best if you can mix them on a CD, without all the crap included on regular CDs, or the same artist. I used to do this myself, from old tapes.
Surely there are some by which she could even sleep.
You could check with a Karaoke DJ, or a supplier. They have it all.

You're right about TV. CRAP!
Wonderful question.

How about a journal.something where she can put down her thoughts as she goes through this experience. It is a very therapeutic practice for sick people and can be a cherished memory for families if (God forbid) things don't work out for her.

Most hospitals have radios in the room, but the choices of stations are pretty limited. You might want to give/loan her an AM/FM radio (with headphones if she has a roommate), ideally with a CD/audiocassette player. Then not only can she listen to the radio, but she can have family bring her in tapes/CDs. Spread the word that she has it, then encourage friends and families to tape a daily message telling her about their day and send the tape when it is full.of course starting another to keep up the practice. This will help her feel still a part of her family and friends and not so isolated. If she's religious, her church could provide tapes of the sermons each week.

Stationary is another idea, so she can write to friends and families. If she is patriotic, maybe you could get her one, two, whatever, military pen pals in Iraq or Afghanistan. They love getting letters. If she got into it, she could finish the crafts you are buying and send to them as gifts. There are other types of pen pal services out there if you don't think she would like to correspond with the military.

An idea for crafts is to make Christmas ornaments. It's not terribly expensive, but it is a thoughtful gift. Then she can send one to everyone she cares about.including her pen pals.

Good luck to you. I hope everything works out for your friend's mom.
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