Taking care of your little patient!
Writer’s Choice: Get Well Night for Boyfriend after appendectomy!
Let’s just say I have had a hectic week. My boyfriend and I spent the weekend in Cape Cod visiting friends. After a fun Saturday night, he spent the majority of Sunday keeled over in the fetal position. Thinking it was just a hangover, he refused to admit there was a problem until I forced him to go to the Lawrence General ER at 10pm! A CT scan showed that it was appendicitis and he had hours until they expected it to burst. At about 12:30 am we took an ambulance to Lahey Clinic in Burlington. Arriving at around 1:30am, we sat in the ER until his procedure 7:30am procedure. After seeing him in the recovery room, I was driven back to Lawrence General to get my car which I had left overnight. Returning to Lahey after a quick shower at home, I stayed with him for the rest of the day and stayed the night with him. He was sent home the next day, and since then I have been taking care of him and let me just tell you one thing…men are the worst patients!
Apparel: loose, comfortable clothing. (The surgery leaves your stomach sore to the touch so the less pressure on the abdomen the better!)A long robe would also work (Emphasis on the long as we do not want to see any surprises!)
Beverage: water or cranberry juice It is important to keep up a steady flow of liquids because after surgery your body goes into a shock. The procedure involves blowing up your stomach so the surgeon can get a precise angle on the appendix.Cranberry juice is a good source of pushing out the gases that are filled up in your stomach. It is important to remember that post surgery narcotics have a side effect on constipation, which is another reason why liquids are so important!
Company: Just you and your patient If your boyfriend is anything like mine, the last thing he wants is company while he is moaning and groaning!
Decor: get your couch ready with blankets and plenty of pillows!
Entree: Chicken soup (the warmth feels good in your belly!), Cheerios (the more bland the better as your patient does not want to have any excess stomach pressure), brand muffin (the fiber helps fight the constipation!) [While these foods do not seem appetizing to the average reader, this is exactly what a post-appendectomy patient desires since he/she is still getting back his appetite]
Favors: New pair of XXL pajama bottoms, a couple dvds, a new book to read, and any other things that you know make your little patient smile!
Games: Nothing too exciting! Remember that your patient has the attention span and energy span of a dog at the moment. Instead of eat, sleep, and play, your patient wants to EAT, SLEEP, and WATCH TV. A couple suggestions:
The Taking of Pelham 123 [a thriller, good to take your mind off of pain]
The Ugly Truth [a comedy, good for winding down]
I’ll be there for you…
Dinner Party: F-R-I-E-N-D-S
Apparel: dress as a specific friend
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Monica: proper
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Rachel:trendy
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Phoebe: wacky
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Ross:geeky
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Joey: sloppy
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Chandler: business attire
Beverage:Bailey’s & Coffee (top with whipped cream)
Company: 6
Décor: Simply stay in your apt ( The hostess must be Monica) and have everything tidy and in the correct place.
Entrée: roast turkey (as long as nobody tries to wear it home!)(remember?)
Favors: coffee bag from Andover’s Ultimate Perk (for all those coffee shop scenes at their coffee shop, Ultimate Perk!)
Games: FRIENDS Trivia game-after that, make up a game of YOUR friends trivia!
- Date Night: North Andover
- These places are all right next to each other!
- Save on the gas!
Apparel: jeans and a sweater/shirt
Beverage: start the night off with drinks at The Loft
Company: one couple-4 couples
Décor: no decorating-that’s the beauty of going out!
Entrée: Check out the Haddock Florentine at Joe Fish
Favors: Get a purple cow ice cream at Mad Maggie’s
Games: End the night off with drinks and karaoke at Beijing!
We found out is that each one of us is a brain, and an athlete, and a basket case, a princess, and a criminal. Does that answer your question?
Theme Party: 80′s
Apparel: Everything 80′s (Wear jelly bracelets,fishnet gloves, punk wigs, baggy sweatshirts, leg warmers, etc)
Beverage: Pretty In Pink Sangria (For all you Molly Ringwald fans!)
Company: 20-25 friends
Décor: Decorate room with posters of popular 80′s bands and movies
Entrée: Breakfast food (showing homage to “The Breakfast Club”)
Favors: give each guest a pair of sunglasses in honor of Corey Hartt’s “I wear my sunglasses at night”
Games: Let’s Get Physical dance contest
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!
Writer’s Choice: Ultimate Girls Night [In] Party
Apparel: Casual but a priority to have at least one item of pink clothing
Beverage: White Strawberry Sangria, Cosmos and Frozen Raspberry Daiquiris (view)
Company: 5-6 girlfriends
Décor: pink and white balloons, ribbon, and candles
Entrée: If there is one thing girls like to do together, it is eat. So make sure there are plenty of options around the room. Have a couple chips-n-dip, a couple bowls of candy, and finger foods-ie. chicken fingers and a deli plate. For dessert, transform your kitchen into a “Make Your Own Sundae” station.
Favors: Gift bag of the Female Five Essentials: tampon, chocolate bar, gum, hand cream, and lip gloss!
Games:
1) Movie [Must be a chick flick]: Ya-Ya Sisterhood, How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days, or When Harry Met Sally. Perhaps play them all throughout the night!
2) Beauty Time: Unselfish Manis & Pedis (Rule: you may not touch your own nails!) & Homemade Facials
3) 7 Minutes in Heaven (Not what you are thinking!….This game involves each girl getting 7 minutes to take the spotlight and vent! This is something that most girls do not get to do normally and the act of doing it is absolutely liberating!)
Let me see that ring!
Special Occasion: Engagement Party
Apparel: cocktail attire
Beverage: Martini with little rings at the bottom
Company: Think of the party as a way to see who you want to invite to the wedding. The number of guests can be large or small, just remember that whoever you invite must also be invited to the wedding. It is bad etiquette to leave an engagement party guest off the wedding guest list.
Décor: Silver and Black (Keep it classic)
Entrée: h’orderves and wine
Favors: mini wedding brownie pops (view)
Games: Engaged Couple Trivia Contest
the couple could ask guests questions to share information about their relationship. Questions such as how the couple met, where they went on their first date, when their birthdays are, and what their favorite movies, music, or foods are. This game keeps everyone involved and helps introduce the couple to all the guests.
Dinner Party: Halloween Dinner
Apparel: Casual and warm. There must be a draft in the house with the door constantly being opened and closed
Beverage: Hot Cider-Cranberry Punch
Company: 4-6 people
Décor: Pumpkin spice candles scattered throughout the table (Can find at Yankee Candle)
Entrée: pumpkin ravioli (recipe)
Favors: small pumpkin spice candle
Games: Costume Tracker (Take turns answering the door for trick-or-treaters. Each person picks a certain costume which the believe will be the most popular. Keep a running tally of the chosen costumes. Winner gets to bring home a 6 pack of cider beers)
