Hospital Flowers
By lilaclady
@lilaclady (28207)
Australia
June 13, 2008 7:09pm CST
I went to visit a friend in hospital yesterday but when I first heard she was in there I sent her an arrangement of flowers, so when I got to the hospital, she thanked me for the flowers but said they don't really allow them in the wards as they take up oxygen, so while she had to talk to the doctor I went for a walk around the hospital and there at the main entrance is the hospital gift shop with all these very expensive flower arrangements for people to buy to take to their friends and loved ones that aren't really allowed to have them in the wards...why would they sell these things if patients are allowed to have them...the crazy things that go on in this world....
7 people like this
36 responses
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
14 Jun 08
Lilac..I never heard of flowers taking away oxygen?? I always thought they helped give??
Ok..How about drawing her a pic of flowers and letting her know the real ones are at your house and you are enjoying them for her..LOL
2 people like this
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
14 Jun 08
Yes apparantly flowers do take a little oxygen as even some plants in pots, I read where the plants in pots that are of, that actually give something out is, the Peace Lily, English Ivy and there was one other that I can't think of...
2 people like this
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
14 Jun 08
hahahah maybe you have something there....
2 people like this
@Trace86 (5030)
• United States
14 Jun 08
That is silly! There is plenty of oxygen to go around. I believe that the only place flowers aren't allowed is in intensive care because of germs. Is it possible that they had a strong odor that rubbed her the wrong way in her sickened state and she was just trying to be polite?
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
14 Jun 08
no she said they prefered not to have flowers in the wards..and that is ok with me but why sell then in the foyer...or why don't they sell the very good looking life like fake ones...a mystery to me
2 people like this
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
14 Jun 08
There is certain wards where it is not allowed for fear of germs, allergies, what not. But there are other place where they do allow them. When my kids were born I got plenty of flowers even from the hospital, lol.
2 people like this
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
14 Jun 08
hmmm it is strange, I know my mother didn't like us having flowers in our bedrooms when we were kids she said they took the oxygen...who knows...
2 people like this
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
15 Jun 08
That is what I have always wandered also. I was just talking with my husband the other day about this matter. It does not make any sense to me either why the gift shops would sell them if the patients cannot have them in their rooms. I guess you are supposed to buy them and give them to them as they are wheeled out the door of the hospital. that is crazy though because alot of people do not make it that far.
@ladyljs (1303)
• United States
14 Jun 08
WOW! As a florist for over 25 years, I can surely tell you that a cut flower does not TAKE UP OXYGEN!!!
A live plant/flower produces oxygen and breathes in carbon dioxide...what we exhale. That is why people say talking to your plants helps...it is actually the exhaling of carbon dioxide that increases their growth.
PLANTS CREATE OXYGEN!!!
Ok, now you are armed with some information, you might even want to go to a website, like webmd ,in hand and give it to the nurses!
Hope this helps...and please give me a plus if it does!
@Desierra1004 (1213)
• Malaysia
14 Jun 08
LOL....Ladyljs, I do agree with you, that's a fact and the hospital staff got his facts wrong. It's just excuses I am sure..heehhe.
Cheers,
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
• United States
23 Jun 08
Maybe she had other reasons for not
wanting the flowers displayed.
@elemental69 (1561)
• Ireland
14 Jun 08
Hi lilac, I have to say thats the first I have ever heard that. My local hospital encourage flowers to be brought to patients to cheer them up and bring a bit of colour into the wards. Of course for obvious reasons they dont allow them in I.C.U. or in quarantine units. :-)
@bfarrier1 (2082)
• United States
14 Jun 08
This seems really silly why if the people can't have flowers why would they sell them.I also thought that flowers were a good source of oxygen,guess I don't know everything LOL.Have a great night.
1 person likes this
@asawanialvin0611 (1877)
• Philippines
14 Jun 08
It is not allowed?Really.I do not know that.I just learned it is not only allowed in the ICU, not in the wards
@raclie (1732)
• Singapore
23 Jun 08
well...
i think it is just silly...
they should not sell the flowers if they do not allow...
anyway...
i think cut flowers will not take up oxygen, but just beautify the place and cheer the sick person up.
if the person if feeling happy, than they will be well sooner.
i hope your friend is getting better soon
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
14 Jun 08
oh yeah... i agree with you... if the hospital not allowed flowers to be inside the ward, then why do they sell them??? anyway, i hardly give flowers if my friends are sick in the hospital... i prefer to give them fruits or foods... take care and have a nice day...
@sylvia13 (1850)
• Nelson Bay, Australia
14 Jun 08
Yes, I agree, that is a bit mean and almost deceitful! You go into the shop with the best intentions, but then the hospital does not let the patients accept the flowers! That shop should concentrate on selling other things, not flowers, or at least warn people!
@metschica25 (5399)
• United States
14 Jun 08
I have heard that with flowers and plants that you might have a hard time breathing , but I always thought it was a myth. I have never been to a hospital where I have not seen a person with any flowers. Maybe , look around where you friend is at and if you see some . Just ask her about it . Maybe she gave them to someone , you just never know. Hope your friend feels better soon .
@sudalunts (5523)
• United States
14 Jun 08
Who knows, mayber they are reselling the flowers that the patients receive in their gift shop. Recycling. LOL
@kaustubh123_sawant (166)
• India
14 Jun 08
Hospital Flowers..........a gr8 idea 2 cherish and support a person recovering from illness.......its fragrance gives one more reason about d beauty of life........good 1 !
