Just as G-d visited Abraham when he was sick, it is a huge mitzvah for mere mortals to visit the sick.  One of our friends had back surgery during the Christmas break.  We waited until he was feeling ready to accept visitors, and we went to visit him at his home.  By the time we saw him, he was well on his way to recovery – walking, off of most heavy narcotics, and starting to go to work for some parts of days.  We brought a bottle of wine and sat with him, eating dessert and trying to lift his spirits.  I think it worked!