Good question! Be there when he wakes up each time. My wife was and was the most comforting thing imaginable. Make him walk. He will not want to but he must. At least three times a day te first day. Even if it is just walking in place next to the bed. Do not break ANY rules with regard to him having any liquids or food! Some people consider that a favor but it is very dangerous. Make him walk some more. Walking wakes the intestines, which kind of go into shock due to surgery and anesthesia. The sooner his intestines kick in the sooner he feels better and goes home.
Give him gum to chew but not swallow. It also sends signals to the intestines to say to wake up.
Books are no good because the pain meds make reading not possible. Be sure he keeps the pain manageable but not completely gone. If he constantly rides that morphine button it prevents the intestines from waking up so it is balance.
That's my advice but I'm sure someone will come up with teddy bear or something else. What meant more to me than anything was that my wife was there every day. I didn't want her to stay the nights so she went to a local hotel but she was there every day.
Tell him good luck from us and ask him to stop by if he has any questions for those who have had the surgery and are here to share our experiences.
Mike
Age 54
10/31/06 dx CIS (TisG3) non-invasive (at 47)
9/19/08 TURB/TUIP dx Invasive T2G3
10/8/08 RC neobladder(at 49)
2/15/13 T4G3N3M1 distant metastases(at 53)
9/2013 finished chemo -cancer free again
1/2014 ct scan results....distant mets
2/2014 ct result...spread to liver, kidneys, and lymph...