Karen Neuberger used to have great knit pajamas (one of Oprah's favorite things, and I still love mine!)

Maybe some cotton caps to wear at night. She won't be used to how cold her head will get. I have some of these. The one that comes down around your neck stays on best for sleeping although they are a bit weird to get used to at first.

http://www.wittmanntextiles.com/sleepcapandh.html

How about a CD of soft music for encouraging sleep and relaxation...

How about a variety of magazines? She may not be up to reading books but it's always fun to flip through magazines. Maybe some nice body wash/soaps and gourmet versions of her favorite snack foods.

I got my mom a super soft gown and robe set for Mother's Day that she is still raving about. It's by Miss Elaine, and I got the set at Macy's. I don't know what kind of help she will have after she comes home, but meal delivery is always a wonderful gift. I always find lozenges/hard candies helpful for dry mouth when on pain medication. I am sending positive thoughts up for her!

Maybe some light comedy movies to watch or a gift to Netflix or Hulu so she can watch what she chooses.
I'll add prayers for her that all goes well. A friend of mine just had such a surgery which is why I suggest light comedy since she was a bit stressed about it all.

Slippers (varition on the socks, but a sole might give more traction and be more stabe if she's a bit unsteady).

A throw or lap blanket if she doesn't have a nice one.

If you know the name of her doctor, you might call the office and ask the nurse(s) for some suggestions of what she might like, need or have to make the wait and her recovery easier.

Wishing you both the best.

Things to make being sedentary more comfortable. A wedge pillow to put her legs over; one of those reading pillows. Maybe some 3 lb. dumbbells for lifting; rubber stretching cords for keeping her leg muscles stretched; a fun hat to wear over her scar; real ginger ale...

I love Eileen West nightgowns. Having a new one alone would make me happy! Recently I started using cerave lotion, it's the best lotion I've ever used.

The Eileen West stuff looks really nice. I'd want something like this, though, (in soft jersey) over a nightgown since nightgowns get all twisted.

http://www.eileenwest.com/collections/eileen-west/products/peached-jersey-pajama-e5715919

Thank you, thank you all! Great ideas...I'm writing them all down as I read. Off to shop to find these things. She lives in another state, so I'll ship the wedge pillow and pj's. The smaller items can be sent with DH when he picks the kids up to stay with us .

Thanks for all the well wishes,too.

I like those Tibb. Thanks again.

Garnet Hill carries Eileen Fisher pajamas in the softest, most wonderful cotton I have ever felt. They are all I can wear now. When I put them on at night the feeling of comfort is indescribable. Sounds ridiculous, but others I know have said the same thing.

I've always known I live on another planet, and nightwear is no different. I hate pj's because to me they get all twisted and I sleep most comfortably in lawn cloth type of chemises, which EF carries in abundance and they are beautiful.

I like the pj's by Hue. They are soft cotton and you can buy separates, not as a set. Fun colors and patterns as well as some more sedate, so if she is young she might like those. Many tops are almost like t-shirts.

Good idea to call the doc's office and get some idea of the recovery period expectations. She might need some periods of quiet, with little light for a few days. So maybe audio books?

Wishing you all the best.

Great! More ideas. Again...thank you all for the ideas and help.

Thx Pal for the cotton cap link. My sister is having the same surgery in a week or two and those would be good for her.

@anitamo - Sending good thoughts your way for your DIL. This is not stuff for sissies.

{{{hugs}}} Anitamo, my daughter had brain surgery last March so your post really hit home for me. It is a very emotional time and I hope all goes well. When it comes to surgery, the medical field has come a very long way and the surgeons do some really amazing things now a days.

Surprisingly, other than some good audio books, I don't have many suggestions for a basket, but something I would like to suggest is that if she doesn't have anything set up yet, please tell her she should get a binder that can hold everything related to her care in one spot. The one we did for my daughter has a directory with the contact information for all her doctors, the pharmacy as well as the hospital, a calendar to help her keep track of appointments, a section for copies of her doctor's progress notes, another for all her medications as well as the information sheets from the pharmacy, hospital directives like the discharge summary, a pouch to hold all the X-ray cd's (and make sure she gets a copy of them each time she has X-rays done, and a section for any billing or insurance notices she received.

My daughter took that binder to every meeting and even her hospital stay. After returning home, she had a reaction to a pain medication, having the medical sheet for her medicines as well as the doctors information in one spot was extremely helpful. Even after the surgery she said having the insurance and medical billing information in one spot has helped her to validate charges and make sure nothing has been overlooked. She is always going to need her records and depending on where you are, medical offices can charge a per page charge when a patient requests copies of their records. If the office or hospital she goes to doesn't have an EMR (Electronic medical record) site available for her to print her own, she should ask for a copy of the doctors notes after each visit to keep in her book as well. We still refer to notes that are 2-3 years old for my husband, they do come in handy.

Sorry, for the lengthy reply, but I thought it would be helpful. I hope she will be ok, please keep us posted . -- Lukki

I absolutely love Ralph Lauren pajamas... I have a ridiculous number of them! I admit, I generally wear just the bottoms (with a tank in the summer and a long sleeve tshirt or turtleneck in the winter) but that is more my preference than any defect in their tops!

I also second meals or a meal service. I also pick up Rita's italian ice for post surgeries-- it's very soothing on throats that have had a tube in them!

But really-- taking her kids and keeping them safe, happy and loved is a huge gift! I am sure it will be hard for them knowing what she is going through.

All good thoughts for your SIL and her family!

Rococogurl, can I echo my post for your sister as well. I sure hope all goes well, she will also be in my prayer.

How about some girly stuff for when the “I’m sick of being
laid up and feel ugly" days set in. The following ideas may take a little my work to
pull off but how nice would it be to get a home leg waxing and pedicure and
then put on a beautifully made cotton nightgown with or with out a matching cotton
robe? I FINALLY (after years of looking) found a brand of beautifully made
cotton sleepwear at a reasonable price, even after the rate of exchange. The
brand is… Powell Craft, very nice quality with hand applied details. Some of
the designs are too fufu for me but others are just right. They have long and short gowns, PJ's and robes.

You could Google to see if there is a U.S seller but if not
cheek out the women’s Powell Craft brand on Dollyrose.co.uk. When I was on
vacation I was in a shop called the Romantic English Woman that also had Powell
Brand tot and little girls cotton gowns and was considering buying a tot size
for a baby gift. The next day they were all sold out. Bummer!

For an idea of the Powell Craft style look here...

Rococogirl ... good wishes for your sister. Is it on her pineal gland?

Lukkiirish. ..great advice. Glad your daughter is well.

More pj's to look at now.

Just a thought, when my niece had a brain tumor removed, I made up a basket of hand lotion, face tint, nail polish and remover, earrings, a pretty top to wear, cosmetics, perfume and put it all wrapped in a pretty Coach bag. Now I know that's extravagant but, she's pretty special, and I wanted to do it. You could do a variation of it. Most people give gifts related to being ill or recovering but, honestly, my niece put on crop yoga pants and tanks, never wore the bed clothes gifts. I like to the gift to reflect a time when she won't be recovering. I do the same for a baby's birth, I bring a gift to the Mom ala the above without the bag and then give the baby a separate gift.

@lukk & anitamo - Thanks. She needs prayers. Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer in 6 sites in the brain. Just finished 3 weeks of radiation. Biggest tumor needs surgery in addition. They are promising nothing. She says her head is very sore -- logical. She is plenty tough but no one is tough after brain involvement. This is third recurrence. Some days, I don't know what to say except "it sucks." Shame is she's so talented and funny. She makes gorgeous jewelry with semi-precious stones. I've only told Allison and a few friends but it's getting to a point where it just wells up. YKWIM.

omigosh, I am so sorry to hear all your loved ones (and their families -you) are going through. Hoping for strength and peace and the best possible outcomes for everyone

Rococogurl, I'm so sorry. Prayers for your sister.

Yayagal...that's exactly the sentiment I want to send my DIL. Thanks for the added ideas.

anitamo and rococogurl - I have nothing to add in the suggestions but do want to add my hugs and best wishes to both your DIL and sister and your families. I hope all goes well.

Rococo, my heart is breaking for you and your loved ones. I am so sorry. Please keep us posted, sometimes even if there is not much to be done but prayer, it still helps to know people are in your corner. (((hugs)))

Rococo, sending my best for your sister too.

Yaya, when my grandmother was in the hospital with her final illness, taking nail polish and manicure items and doing her nails for her was something she loved. They generally won't allow polish on fingernails or toenails during surgery, but afterwards should be fine if there are no circulation issues.

Rococo, I understand completely your feelings. I've been there and it's beyond terror and hope. So cliche to say "live in the moment" but staying busy does help. Also try to reinforce in your mind that at this minute she is in a safe place and, since I'm not the one who is going through this I can be strong and prayerful. That's all you can do. Sharing is so good as we all can be in her corner in spirit. God bless you.

Lascatex, just recently I went to visit my sister's dear friend on the day before she knew her tumor was fatal. I brought candy bars and a manicure set lol. She was thrilled, I sat on the bed and did her nails and also tweezed her eyebrows for her. To me, it was an honor. She died a week later.

Please excuse the hijack anitamo. Those who have been through this know. You "handle" it until something pushes a button, which anitamo's post evidently did for me, especially Pal's link to the soft caps as I was talking about that with my sister the other day.

I so appreciate the support, ladies. I'm super private as I believe it's impolite really to burden others. Everyone has problems, tragedies and crises in the course of a lifetime -- no one needs anyone else's. I believe in sharing the happy stuff -- I put up 2 favorite recipes on a new thread mtn started. Both really delicious.

I've always had a very high stress tolerance and have an ability to thread my way through chaos. But losing younger siblings is a killer even when you're not close. My next younger brother passed suddenly 4 years ago. Now my sister is sliding away. It's like standing on a large island that's your life/family history and watch huge chunks fall off. I don't mind it changing me. I always have been lucky and I'm blessed in so many ways in this life. But my sister has had much to overcome and not a great deal of happiness. The idea that she must go so early and with so much pain and disability seems really cruel.

Enough. Thank you all for your good thoughts and prayers. Big hugs to you. I so appreciate the empathy and support. It really helps.

I'm glad you can post here Rococogurl and find any bit of comfort to help you. Life can be cruel sometimes, but your sister is lucky to have you. So sorry about your brother too. I have eight siblings and I know in my heart how hard it will be to face losing any of them. Hugs.

Yaya -- exactly.

Rococo -- everyone neeeds an outlet sometimes. I lost both of my parents, and aunt in the same six months that a friend had a number of deaths among family and friends. It was overwhelming, and I was more afraid of the surgery my (also younger) sister was about to have than usual. I can't imagine if I had lost her too.

Just find a gift in each and every day - even the tough ones.

I know I'm not alone and you all are so dear to offer support. It's a stage of life. Sigh. We are about to spend time with the grands for the next week and I know that will make me feel better as they are hilarious and very loving. Of course, when a 7 y.o. beats you at checkers...

This is a full length very soft hoodie robe, I love it, so great to curl up in. I bought one for all the women in my immediate family. It's by Dreams and company. They also have the hoodie robe in French Terry.

Long hoodie robe

They also have a full length French Terry gown that's very comfortable.

Gown

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