My mom was in for surgery (gall-bladder, after the pancreatitis calmed down) and her roommate gave her a big bear to sleep with. It was wonderfully comforting (in lieu of the pet cat, etc.) and did help with coughing and soothing some pain. Mom went home and bought herself a nice big bear that she named "Nancy" after that roommate. And in her will she actually left the bear to a friend's cat (the cat would visit when her mistress was travelling, and would curl up on the bear).

While a bear might not sit well with Kendall they have large stuffed EVERYTHINGs these days--we have a couple of orcas. Find him a stuffed blue whale for during the night he needs something pillow-like to put a little extra pressure over a sore spot. Or just give him a nice pillow.

SRS