While engaged (to my now wonderful husband), he found out that he had prostrate cancer and had to have surgery.  Needless to say, he was very depressed about the situation.  To help speed his recovery and to let him know that my love for him was still there, I prepared a large jar of mini candies (kisses, mints, bit-o-honeys, lifesavers, etc,) and included lots of  little love notes (forever yours, god loves you - so do I, my heart belongs to you, etc.) all mixed in the jar.  Every day, he was all excited to pick out a love note and he got the nurses involved by sharing the candy with them.