# Hospital visit **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 29, 2010, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hospital-visit/544977 "2010-06-29T20:17:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![canadiankorean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/2bfe46/32.png) [@canadiankorean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/canadiankorean)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2010, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hospital-visit/544977/1 "2010-06-29T20:17:43Z")
A friend had a seizure today but is ok. The hospital wants to keep her overnight to monitor her. We’re going to visit. What kind of gift is good to take if any at all? I’m thinking flowers and get well card are not really well suited for this situation right? She’s well and just staying overnight as precaution. Any ideas? I’m terrible at hospital etiquette. ---
**Author:** ![gwendee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@gwendee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gwendee)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2010, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hospital-visit/544977/2 "2010-06-29T20:27:29Z")
I’m not sure what to suggest. If there aren’t restrictions on her diet or fluid intake perhaps something to drink (like a cold iced tea or her favorite coffee drink, not like a margarita). I know it doesn’t sound like much, but honestly your visit is the gift. Flowers or a plant need to be dealt with, particularly if she’s only staying overnight. Or…if your visiting early enough take her some earplugs (available at most drug and discount stores). Most people who’ve had to stay over are amazed to find out how noisy hospitals are. best wishes to your friend. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2010, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hospital-visit/544977/3 "2010-06-29T20:28:35Z")
The only thought I have about flowers is how will she get them home when she’s discharged the next day. If that’s not an issue, it would be a nice gesture. A funny card might be welcome. Your visit might be all she needs. Gifts are nice, but the patient is left to deal with transporting them, which might make them not so nice, yanno? I don’t think I’ve ever taken flowers or a gift - maybe I’m just thoughtless? ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2010, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hospital-visit/544977/4 "2010-06-29T20:33:52Z")
Flowers or candy are always nice. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2010, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hospital-visit/544977/5 "2010-06-29T20:47:19Z")
Something to help pass the time might be good - a magazine, a book of crossword puzzles, maybe even a little game thingie. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2010, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hospital-visit/544977/6 "2010-06-29T20:48:40Z")
Hospitals are lonely and frightening. Just going to visit is a huge gift. Anything to help her pass the time after you leave will be a blessing. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2010, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hospital-visit/544977/7 "2010-06-29T20:54:28Z")
I’d opt for a few magazines or bring in takeout. I’d say either of those would work really well with a sleep mask. As someone who has been in the hospital due to a seizure, I can tell you that it’s a pain in the ass to try to sleep when someone is coming in constantly to monitor you because they have to keep flipping on the lights. Also, the food isn’t always great and it gets boring really quickly, especially if you’re alone. Alternatively, if you’re really close to this person, you could consider a massage gift card. If she convulses (instead of having absence seizures), her muscles have probably taken a beating and she might be extremely, extremely sore. ---
**Author:** ![canadiankorean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/2bfe46/32.png) [@canadiankorean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/canadiankorean)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2010, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hospital-visit/544977/8 "2010-06-29T20:57:47Z")
Thanks for the suggestions everyone! I’m off to visit her. I think I’ll opt for a magazine. ---
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2010, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hospital-visit/544977/9 "2010-06-29T21:03:15Z")
> [@canadiankorean](#): > > Thanks for the suggestions everyone! > > I’m off to visit her. I think I’ll opt for a magazine. Good idea. I wouldn’t bring a gift of any size (e.g. flowers) for an overnight stay. Too big a pain to deal with when she’s discharged (unless she just decides to leave it for the next patient). If she’s on an unrestricted diet, bring in some pizza or other food that she likes. Your presence (not presents) is probably the best thing you can do for her. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2010, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hospital-visit/544977/10 "2010-06-29T22:52:41Z")
When I was in the hospital for the better part of a week in 2007 it was visitors I wanted most, followed by reading material. Of course, I have hayfever so flowers might have been a problem, and I wasn’t allowed to eat or drink so candy would have been… not a good idea. (When the fluid restriction was lifted my husband did start bringing me tea, though). For an overnight, either take-out food (if permitted - ask first) or something to read would be my suggestion. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2010, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hospital-visit/544977/11 "2010-06-30T00:07:30Z")
Magazines, absolutely. Anything larger / more valuable is a pain in the behind. A card with a personal, well-thought out message is a nice addition. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2010, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hospital-visit/544977/12 "2010-06-30T00:14:39Z")
Is this the first time your friend has had a seizure? When I was there for the first time, I wasn’t allowed anything to eat or drink for the first twenty-four hours (only ice-chips). I would save the candy or whatever for later. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2010, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hospital-visit/544977/13 "2010-06-30T08:57:03Z")
Really, the best thing is to bring lots of chocolate and coffee and drop it off at the nurses station 😃