What kind of gift should I send to someone who is recovering from brain surgery?

Maybe just sending a card would be fine, maybe even better, to start. It lets the person know that you care and are thinking of them. If you don’t really know what a person with Parkinson’s and who is recovering from two brain surgeries wants or needs, a card is probably best. Once your friend is home and there’s some idea of what her level of functioning is, if it was improved maybe, by the procedure, then maybe you can send a gift. Others may have a different opinion.

Honestly, I’ve only been in the hospital twice and I hate to have to drag stuff home with me. It’s really hard to stuff flowers, balloons, stuffed animals etc, into a car and get them home without spilling, bursting or wrecking. A card will be much appreciated and then send something when she gets home.

Something soothing and vaguely stimulating. Maybe a miniature decorative fountain or a not-annoying set of wind chimes.

I like @zophu‘s suggestio of soothing wind chimes. I was going to suggest flowers. You could wait until she got home and have them sent there, because @chyna has a good point too. Just getting one’s ass home form the hospital is enough to deal with. You could send a card there first, if you wanted to just connect, then flowers or whatever else you decide on afterward.

Make a donation to support Parkinson’s Disease research in their name. Send them a great novel to read with your card and notice of your donation.

@Dr_Lawrence, dude, I really like you but, I think you’re wrong on this one. Make a donation in the person’s name? That’s something for some other time. Unless the person has requested it, it can make people feel like they’re already dead, if you send a charitable donation to an organization in their name. And the book? Not necessarily the best gift for someone with Parkinson’s who may not have the level of functioning to hold and read a book. @SheWasAll_ don’t send a book unless this person has requested one. I’m with @chyna don’t send a lot of crap to someone in a hospital room, they won’t be able to use it, like a decorative fountain, I really doubt they will let her set that up in the room.

She could always send something to the house. Who said she has to send it to the hospital room? :)

Do you know of anything she likes or enjoys? If not ask your friend. I’m sure there are a number of possibilities. Have you checked out The Vermont Teddy Bear Company? I absolutely adore their bears, and there are so many wonderful ones for almost anything. You can personalize them as well!
If not, find out her favorite kind of flowers and send those and a card. The thought in itself will definitely be appreciated.

a collage of pictures from her and you life…just scan edit and place If you have a picture program

A really nice warm and cheery sweater or robe. Hospital rooms are always cold.
Find out from the doctor if a head scarf of some type would be allowed. Heres a link of ideas for head coverings. link
Sometimes a few things to just make it homey would be appreciated. Hospitals are always a depressing place, so anything that will make it feel like home, or warm or make her feel prettier, will make her feel better.
Personally I would appreciate several novels, maybe some pictures, cell phone, some cupcakes, some perfume (get rid of hospital smell), some nice silky underwear, my nails getting done, maybe some blush and lipstick, puzzle books and a ipod loaded with my favorite music.
Maybe a lap top and some rented videos to go with it.
Anything to help pass the time between visits.

I hate to keep harping on this but… do you know your friend’s mother’s level of functioning? Can you ask your friend; you mentioned that she is your best friend so it seems that you would certainly ask her what her mother might like. You mentioned that she has had Parkinsons for 15 years. My uncle had Parkinsons. It’s a terrible, terrible, degenerative, disabling disease and can do a lot of damage in 15 years. To send to someone a book, or a device or whatever, that they no longer have the motor skills to use… well what would be the point? While it may be the thought that counts, that kind of thing can put an additional burden, though maybe a very small one, but still an additional burden on the family because they will most likely be polite, but that kind of thing can sometimes only make the family feel that people really don’t understand the nature of the illness or what they, both the Parkinson’s patient and the family, are going through. I think the person to ask is your best friend, she is in the best position to tell you what her mother would like. And until then, send a card.

Send her a card saying your thinking of her, and miss her. And a box of her favorite candy, or a movie you know she loves but doesnt have.

A hat.

I second @chels Teddy Bear idea. Something cute and cuddly is always welcome. A nice hat, as @Ben_Dover suggested might be welcome if she had to lose all her hair for the procedure. And a nice card as well, of course.

I suppose I should have mentioned that she’s not in the hospital (somehow, these procedures are essentially outpatient?? She’s already home today after part 2 and was sent home one day after the first procedure).
@lillycoyote She’s always been what I believe is high functioning for someone who’s had Parkinson’s for 15 years. Up until the the surgery she still cooked every meal, every day. She’s always been a very active and very feisty woman, so something like pain and tremors weren’t going to keep her down.
I know a card showing I’m thinking of her is nice, but I’ve never been the card giving type. I like something more personal. So I agree with @chels and the teddy bear idea. But I’m still looking for more suggestions! Keep ‘em coming guy! I appreciate it!

Do you know what kind of music she likes? You could always send her a mix-cd! :)