What can I do for my friend

[Doing my best]

A very close friend of mine had a baby boy nearly 4 weeks ago (same day as my DS was born), and he has been quite sick. He got a haematoma due to the birth, and last week it burst and got infected. He has been transferred to the childrens hospital and has had 2 lots of surgery, and will now be in hospital for another 2 or 3 weeks.

What can I do for my friend? I live in Brisbane and they live on NSW Central Coast (so 900ks away). Obviously I can't visit. But I want her to know I am thinking of her. I know she has already been inundated with flowers and presents (both at the birth and again now).

I want something for her as she will be going nuts at the hospital for that long (she is quite an outdoorsy person normally)..

Thanks
Heather

P.S. I now won't be whinging about having to get up 3 or 4 times a night, looking after a newborn and and toddler all while I have a shockingly annoying cold. Things are always much worse off for someone else.

[christy]

You could order a fruit box or something nice because hospital food isn't nice at all. Or buy some funky nice magazines like Frankie or something and put together a package. You could hire a cleaner for her for 2-3 weeks.

We've been in and our of hospital this year and those are things I would have liked. As well as an ear. Phone her as much as you can, and don't expect her to retain much about what you are going through

[mamasmurf]

Other than letting her know you`re there for her, some practical help like cleaning or gardening might be good if she`s not too proud to accept.There`s nothing worse than worrying about things like that when you`ve already got big stress in your life. Also food is good, I know the old casserole seems a bit of a cliche but it`s easy to forget to eat when you`re back and forth to hospital and knowing the limited choices of food available, maybe you could order her some her favourite take out food.See how you go, it`s good that she has a friend like you.I wish her and bub well.

[Chocaholic]

You are a fantastic friend. She is a very lucky lady.

I agree with the other ladies suggestions. Send her some books, magazines etc in the post. The surprise when she receives them might give her a real boost.

Maybe get a pendant for a necklace or something and get that delivered. Something special like a baby etc, whatever you think is appropriate.

Another option is to write her a letter. Handwritten and mention everything that makes her special to you. That would really give me a boost if I got something like that.

Otherwise, talk to her DP about what he thinks your friend might need.

Hope her DS recovers quickly!

[Mum2SweetCs]

what a great friend you are =). I hope her DS gets well soon.

What about a maid service to clean her house? Nothing like having a nice clean house and cooked dinner after a hospital visit.

[aussienic]

I think ph calls are the best.. Just to let her talk to someone about whatever.. Either bub or something mindless to just escape for a while

When my Ds was in Hospital I had virtually no visitors and only one ph call. It was so depressing. My son was only in for 16 days and that was enough so I can't imagine how she is feeling after a month with more weeks to come..

Magazines are a good idea.