I have a close friend who will be traveling from Iowa to Rochester, Mayo Clinic for a surgery. She will have a couple days of tests, lots of sit and wait and then surgery on 3rd day. I want to make her a box of goodies, cards, puzzle book, maybe a book, does anyone have any other ideas what I could put in the box for her and her husband, she is diabetic too, so sweets have to be limited... but want her to know I am thinking of her.... thanks for suggestions. Quilter 1234

Easy slip on slippers or no skid socks. A nice big thick towel if she will be in the hospital for a few days. Maybe a very small simple counted cross stitch like a bookmark. Something to keep her hands busy and mind off the surgery. An inspirational card.

nuts :-)

Magazines are always nice, depending on her tastes.

travel games that are easy and mindless
comic books, they're not just for kids

Card games, such as mille borne or just a deck of cards. Any hand held game or travel size game - go to a luggage store or Toy store. Does she paper piece (maybe a pincushion kit) or knit (crochet) - buy a kit from a shop or create your own.

Good wishes to her and her husband.

Puffs tissues, the hospital-issue tissues are thin and scratchy.
A container of moistened hand wipes or baby wipes 'cause sometimes for the first few days you can't get to the bathroom everytime you might want to wash your hands.
BTW, Dove sugar-free chocolates are delicious! Trust me, I usually turn my little button nose up at sugar-free confections but these are really good. Pricey, but good.
A small note pad and pencil. After anesthesia you just don't get it together for a few days and she may have occasion to want to jot down things she wants to remember or ask.
Penny

A small notebook, sticky notes, pen and/or pencil in a folder or bag. Also, an emory board, small (no odor) hand lotion, folding toothbrush, a travel tissue holder, wet wipes, and hand cleaner.
http://sewing.about.com/od/bagstotes...lopetissue.htm

hand lotion & antibacterial gel, handkerchief, coins for snack/soda machine, mouth wash, chapstick, ear plugs, sleeping mask

hand lotion & antibacterial gel, handkerchief, coins for snack/soda machine, mouth wash, chapstick, ear plugs, sleeping mask