Comfort Quest side sleeping pillow

jennifer101
jennifer101 Member Posts: 26
in Breast Cancer #1
Has anybody used the Comfort Quest side sleeping pilow? I am going to have dbl mastectomy with reconstruciton and would like to order one. Just not sure of how to get correct size. where do you measure the distance between breasts?

Comments

  • rkyobo
    rkyobo Member Posts: 2
    #2
    pillows for post mastectomy
    Hi there Jennifer! I am having prophylactic bilateral mastectomy Dec 11th, and I have ordered a wedge pillow on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H3M3VE/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00 Most people say it's very difficult to lie on your side when recovering from mastectomy. Since I have sleep apnea and use a side-sleeping pillow, I would need a wedge pillow to keep me more upright to avoid the apnea happening and awakening me all night long. I also have ordered a wedge for under my knees that supposedly keeps you from slipping down the pillow. We'll see, I guess. I'll try using the wedges before the surgery to see how they work.
  • Gabe N Abby Mom
    Gabe N Abby Mom Member Posts: 2,413
    #3
    After my BMX(no
    After my BMX(no reconstruction) I used a wedge pillow and several smaller pillows to support my arms. I would not have been able to sleep on my side. Even with all those pillows in the bed, my husband still helped me get up. That was especially true for the first week or so. Others here have slept in recliners.

    You didn't ask, but some additional advice...your range of motion will be limited so you will want shirts/tops/pj's that button/zip up the front. I also recommend that anything (high or low) that you have to reach for should be moved to mid level.

    When showering I tied a shoestring around my neck and pinned the drains to that. I needed help with drain care for about a week, after that I was able to manage on my own.

    Follow the docs instructions regarding exercise carefully, not doing them can cause problems. Doing them will help you get your range of motion back more quickly. I was told not to lift more than 2 lbs at first, then graduated to 10 lbs, etc. I was also told not to do anything involving repetitive motion (vacuuming, window cleaning) for 6 months.

    If people offer to help let them, and have suggestions ready...vacuum, bring a meal, run an errand, mow the lawn, shovel the snow, pick up the kids, etc...I've found the people offering truly want to help, but don't know what to do.

    I hope all this helps. Please come back and let us know how you do.

    Hugs,

    Linda
  • jennifer101
    jennifer101 Member Posts: 26
    #4
    rkyobo said:

    pillows for post mastectomy
    Hi there Jennifer! I am having prophylactic bilateral mastectomy Dec 11th, and I have ordered a wedge pillow on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H3M3VE/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00 Most people say it's very difficult to lie on your side when recovering from mastectomy. Since I have sleep apnea and use a side-sleeping pillow, I would need a wedge pillow to keep me more upright to avoid the apnea happening and awakening me all night long. I also have ordered a wedge for under my knees that supposedly keeps you from slipping down the pillow. We'll see, I guess. I'll try using the wedges before the surgery to see how they work.

    Pillow
    Hi:
    Thank you for your response. I too have been looking at wedge pillows and was not sure how high to get. You chose the 10" height. Was that what was recommended by your surgeon? I am a side and stomach sleeper so lying on my back is going to be painful. I too will get the wedge for the knees.
    Aloha,
    Jen
  • salls41
    salls41 Member Posts: 340
    #5
    Linda gave you great advice
    I also slept with a lot of pillows around me and on one of those sit up in bed things that looks like the back of a chair.. not sure what they are called. That helped me sooo much. Our hospital here, hands out aprons sort of like a carpenters nail apron but it is made out of a mesh and has two pockets, tie it around your waist and drop the drain balls in the pockets..can be worn in the shower.. it is a life saver.. you could easily mske one or I would be happy to mail you mine.. just PM me with your address.
    Sandy
  • cinnamonsmile
    cinnamonsmile Member Posts: 1,187 Member
    #6
    I slept in a recliner for
    I slept in a recliner for quite a few days after my BMX. I didn't have reconstruction, but did have A LOT of pain. Maybe that would be a good idea, too. Take your pain meds regularly. It is much easier to control pain before it gets out of control.
  • Deb4436
    Deb4436 Member Posts: 1
    #7
    Comfort Quest
    I had a bilateral mastectomy over six months ago and did use the Side Sleeper Pillow. It was wonderful! I highly recommend it. I could not figure out what the wedge pillow could do for me other than keep me on an angle on my back. The Side Sleeper Pillow helped me with the pain and allowed me to be more mobile in bed. I highly recommend you try it.
  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    #8
    A friend who helped out with a program called "Reach for Recovery" gave me a little pillow to use for the empty area that was my breast. I used it for years,

    It was just a small little pillow.

    Doris

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