Thirding this. A hand-held device or even a cellphone or an iPod with games (I like Harriet the Spry’s suggestion for an iTunes gift certificate) is great for taking one’s mind off pain because you have to concentrate harder on the game than you would on a book or movie. I’ve used my iPod’s games to great effect when suffering through an abscessed tooth and menstrual cramps (simultaneously) – it really does help.
Seems like someone should come up with a decent liquid bacon… there might be a market for it.