Alone in hospital over shabbos:( how to cope

Dev80

Today at 7:16 am

Hugs. I spent many shabboses in the hospital alone. I am in Israel so it's easier in terms of food and not being mechalel shabbos, but also feels super lonely when you see everyone else with their visitors.
Lots of books, lots of sleep, some treats (I like candy so I make sure to have). But yeah I usually switch on my phone the minute shabbos is over since it is lonely.
I'm sorry you are going through this ❤️

singleagain

Today at 7:39 am

I forget if it's bikur cholim or someone else who has a shabboss in a box with electric tea lights, challah, grape juice etc.

I would also have someone bring you books and games . Maybe a pack of cards... If I was home I'd snap pics of my Friday night and beyond book .. they have a whole section on Shabbat in the hospital.

readreread

Today at 8:05 am

singleagain wrote:

I forget if it's bikur cholim or someone else who has a shabboss in a box with electric tea lights, challah, grape juice etc.

Chesed 24/7 has one! No challah though.

I'm sorry OP. Been there. I read a lot of books, but that's all I've got. Wishing you refuah shleima.

bbhem5

Today at 9:40 am

I spent many Shabbosim alone in the hospital. I have a medically fragile child with special needs so my husband really was needed at home.
I wasn’t eating but, if you can, please make sure you have everything you might enjoy as other posters said.
I’m always a big reader so I was very happy with all my books and magazines.
I’d cover the tray table (or nightstand) with a white cloth (usually a hospital pillow case, though a lot of Bikur Cholims send a white disposable tablecloth to cut) to be Shabbosdik. I’d also light the Bikur Cholim Shabbos licht to look and feel Shabbosdik (even though my Rav paskekened not to make a brocha- despite the packaging that says to- so maybe check with your own Rav).

Let your nurses know about Shabbos. Ask them to leave any lights as you wish, check on you often, etc. My night nurse would usually do her charting on her computer right outside my room so she was close by and could hear if I needed something, or even if my iv was beeping. Also, they’d check on me every time my monitor beeped even though it was often fine.

If your hospital treats a lot of frum patients they will probably know already.

When I was able to get out of bed I would tape the bathroom light switch since the cleaning staff would often turn it off regardless and then I’d be stuck until someone came in.

Most of my treatment was in a hospital without Bikur Cholim. They had few frum patients, but enough that the staff was kind of familiar- and always very respectful.

Refuah sheleima!

May you have a comfortable, restful Shabbos and may it be the last you need to spend in the hospital.

notshanarishona

Today at 10:18 am

Bring a lot of food, reading material (have a friend pick up a new book or magazines). See if someone can come before Shabbos and set everything up for you. Last time plugged in a cholent pot and hot plate and no one noticed or made an issue. You can pm me if you want to vent. I am in the hospital a lot.

dena613 ↓

Today at 10:34 am

Borrow lots of varied reading material (fiction, non fiction, novels, short stories, history, hashkafah...)
Magazines
Sefer Tehillim
Siddur

Good food!
Does your bikur cholim have a shabbosdik plastic disposable tablecloth, electric tea lights, etc.? (ask your rav about lighting them. You may be told too turn off and on a real light.)
You may be able to get a mini fridge for your room that will keep all shabbos food fresh and easily accessible.

Review halachos of what you can and can't do in your situation.

↑ dena613

Today at 10:37 am

4geesmom wrote:

I got myself some nice beanie special for shabbos. And did my makeup so at least when I looked in the mirror I felt shabbosdig.

Yes! And if you can't get out of bed, or arent allowed to shower, at least use those body wipes and the weird shampoo shower cap that the hospital could provide.

Kiwi13

Today at 10:49 am

Refuah shelayma! I’ve been there and it’s really hard, especially on Shabbos. One thing that helped me feel more Shabbosy and less alone was singing zemiros (or, if there was someone else sharing the room, whispering the words and thinking the tune in my head). Reading also helped. I liked having Jewish magazines with me, some books, a siddur/tehillim… occasionally, depending on circumstances, I befriended other patients. I also slept a lot.

I hope you have a Refuah shelayma and get to go home healthy and strong very soon.

Good Shabbos 💕

animeme

Today at 11:31 am

It may sound little, but ask for an extra pillowcase and use it as a tablecloth for your tray table. The electric tea lights in the Shabbos box can stay on your side table, and having that cloth just ups things a little. It can be moved when it's needed for something medical, but when you eat, read, etc, it's there. If you can have someone bring a flower or flowers, that's lovely. Even without a vase, you can use a rinsed out drink bottle.

And don't feel anything negative about sleeping as much as possible.