Delectations

After a prolonged hospital stay, I have discovered which things will make one comfortable in same, and they were not those recommended to me. Not lovely negligees and nighties to boost one’s morale as the doctors gaze into one’s tragic eyes, or perfume, or a favorite picture for gracious living, a bottle of booze; those were the accoutrements I had been told were desirable, and which in a minor way, I provided for myself as I went into the hospital in Zürich. Ha! What did prove useful were the things my son provided for me when he came after the operation, when I had at least a month in bed ahead of me. An open-top suitcase by one’s bedside to keep things in. Filing folders and manila envelopes to keep papers sorted and separated before it becomes a hopeless task; you never remember whom you thanked for his card and who should be thanked. Hardbacked notebooks and writing pads in bed for writing. Strong rubber bands to hold papers together (also paper clips) and also for keeping the paperbacked books together which invariably slip off their pile. Rubber bands also hold together one’s hair, loose Kleenex and the like. One of the large inflatable rubber rings on which to sit or lie to change position—hospitals may not have one immediately handy when you want it. Plain lemony eau de cologne. Disposable wash towels because one has constantly filthy hands, and if you can’t get up yourself to wash, it’s easier on the nurses. A light woolen throw so you can regulate your temperature since there are always too few or too many covers on hospital beds. Baby cream and powder, deodorant and room spray come in immensely handy, much more so than beauty creams. A box of absolutely dry Zwieback or plain, unsalted crackers for those moments one feels queasy. Lots of stamped postcards and envelopes correctly stamped for the amount of writing paper they will hold—which is important for airmail. Lots of ballpoint pens which get lost on the floor and swept away. Also good is a walking stick so that you can push your window open or closed, without having to get the nurse. Several boxes of really good candy for impromptu gifts are also essential, as is a subcription to a daily newspaper.

As for spiritual comforts, cheerful reading, because one can make one’s depressions. Among cheerful reading are elderly mysteries of the genteel English school, with only the nicest people in them. Also, quite essential, are the Bible and a prayerbook.

NH

About the Author

Nika Hazelton

Featured Tags

After a prolonged hospital stay, I have discovered which things will make one comfortable in same, and they were not those recommended to me. Not lovely negligees and nighties to boost one’s morale as the doctors gaze into one’s tragic eyes, or perfume, or a favorite picture for gracious living, a bottle of booze; those were the accoutrements I had been told were desirable, and which in a minor way, I provided for myself as I went into the hospital in Zürich. Ha! What did prove useful were the things my son provided for me when he came after the operation, when I had at least a month in bed ahead of me. An open-top suitcase by one’s bedside to keep things in. Filing folders and manila envelopes to keep papers sorted and separated before it becomes a hopeless task; you never remember whom you thanked for his card and who should be thanked. Hardbacked notebooks and writing pads in bed for writing. Strong rubber bands to hold papers together (also paper clips) and also for keeping the paperbacked books together which invariably slip off their pile. Rubber bands also hold together one’s hair, loose Kleenex and the like. One of the large inflatable rubber rings on which to sit or lie to change position—hospitals may not have one immediately handy when you want it. Plain lemony eau de cologne. Disposable wash towels because one has constantly filthy hands, and if you can’t get up yourself to wash, it’s easier on the nurses. A light woolen throw so you can regulate your temperature since there are always too few or too many covers on hospital beds. Baby cream and powder, deodorant and room spray come in immensely handy, much more so than beauty creams. A box of absolutely dry Zwieback or plain, unsalted crackers for those moments one feels queasy. Lots of stamped postcards and envelopes correctly stamped for the amount of writing paper they will hold—which is important for airmail. Lots of ballpoint pens which get lost on the floor and swept away. Also good is a walking stick so that you can push your window open or closed, without having to get the nurse. Several boxes of really good candy for impromptu gifts are also essential, as is a subcription to a daily newspaper.

As for spiritual comforts, cheerful reading, because one can make one’s depressions. Among cheerful reading are elderly mysteries of the genteel English school, with only the nicest people in them. Also, quite essential, are the Bible and a prayerbook.