mastectomy/Reconstruction Advice

Puffin2014 said:

pillows

Right now Walmart has large heart shaped pillows for sale in their Valentine's gifts section, $11 each. I bought 2 for a friend that is having a bilateral mastectomy this week. I've read on Discussion Forums that heart shaped pillows work well post op for supporting arms while sitting in a chair: put top of heart under armpit and pointy bottom rests on hip or chair. These pillows at Walmart are very soft and comfy, come in pink, red, black, brown and have saying on them like Princess, Love, Sweeter Than chocolate.

I used a ribbon tied around my neck that I could hook the drains to.   That way I didn't have to worry if my nightshirt or other clothing would get tugged or caught, etc.   When I showered I'd leave it on and then just change to a dry ribbon after and let that one dry out for reuse.   It worked great.    For outings I used a fanny pack with the bag in front and tucked my drains into it.

Slept in a zero gravity chair.  I couldn't get comfortable until I decided to try that.  Loved it - slept in it until I was able to get in my bed and lie back comfortably.  I was lucky my chair had a side table and drink holder - worked out great

cinnamonsmile said:

I loved my mastectomy

I loved my mastectomy camisoles for my drains to hold in. I wish i would have gotten the ones that velcro or zip up in the front. I had four drains, so I had to get two camisoles to get four drain pockets that would attach to the camisole with velcro (there is room to attach them horizontally in whatever place you want).

I realized that I had more than normal pain after my BMX with node removal. I learned not to let the nurses pin the drains to my hospital gown to low, and not to let the tubing sway with the gown or it would hurt. Just something to watch out for.

I slept in the recliner for days afterwards when I got home. I stacked up pillows behind me and on each side when I finally slept in bed. The side pillows helped stop me from rollling side to side or on my belly (I am an all over the bed sleeper).

I was lucky to have a friend borrow me a shower chair at first for my first showers. I used my house coat rob to tie the tubing around my waist so the drain bulbs wouldn't fall. They do make shower camisole like things to hold the tubes/bulbs for showering. I needed help washing at first and drying off. But like i said, i had an extremely unusual pain issue post surgery.

When "milking" the tubing to get the junk out to the bulb to empty, make sure that the fingers are holding the drain in place near the insertion where they are stitched in. pulling it is painful and could rip the stitching!

I wish your friend the best!

---  i pulled my drains on more than 1 occasion while milking my drains ==  OUCH!  not fun, painful - yes.

Vicki Sam