Advice and Prayers

PennyLane26 · February 2014

My cousin is having a schedule c-section next week. Her baby boy has hypo plastic left heart syndrome. Her baby will be med-flighted to children's for surgeries with her husband while she recovers at her hospital. A nightmare IMHO.

They live across the country. What is something nice/helpful that I could send them? I know they will be spending the first month(s) at the hospital.

TJ1979 · February 2014

I'm so sorry, sending lots of T&P their way.
When you are stuck in the hospital for a long time, what I have found the most helpful is either a gift basket with things like snacks (crackers, granola bars, fruit) and things to occupy you like books and magazines. Or gift cards to local restaurants. Either fast food or take and go or whatever. Hospital food gets really old really quickly.
Best wishes to your family.

kmc84 · February 2014

Ditto TJ!

This made me tear up; how scary for them

it's of T&P's headed their way!

Maybe a nice journal to write in (if you think it's something she would enjoy) to document their baby's journey and recovery.

CarrieB. · February 2014

Sending lots of T&Ps their way. Maybe some restaurant gift cards for take out?

KISSIES · February 2014

They are in my T&Ps that awful. So hard to be away from your baby. I definitely agree with the food ideas. When my boys were in the nicu and I was recovering from csection we lived on take out on the way to and from hospital!

kzawisl · February 2014

My friend's son was born with HLHS too. She has a blog, PM me if you want the link. Her son has had all three surgeries and will be playing tee ball this spring! :-) as for what to send, will she be pumping so he can get her milk? If so: a nice nursing cover, pump supplies, breast pads, etc. magazines, Chapstick, pony tail holders, snacks, gift cards. Does she have other children at home? Maybe hire a local agency to clean her house? A journal to write down important info etc (trust me, she will be bombarded with info, and will probably be to exhausted to remember it all).

mdiblasi10 · February 2014

I will keep your cousin, her LO and your family in my thoughts.

PennyLane26 · February 2014

Thanks for all of the kind words!

I love the idea of a nice journal/notebook. Probably will send that along with a Visa gift card for takeout, etc. Does that sound appropriate?

kmc84 · February 2014

Sounds good to me!
If they are not familiar with the area of the children's hospital, you could hop on the computer and compile a list of nearby restaurants (print menus) and note which ones will deliver. It will be nice not to have to put too much energy into finding a meal

Please give us an update on them when you can!

kbeach82 · February 2014

Ditto TJ's suggestions and I would also suggest a nice journal. I had a co-worker that had a daughter born with a similar condition (she is now doing really well!). His wife wrote journal entries and created a beautiful blog chronicling their little girl's journey. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.