Need Pink Bus on Friday

I am coming with you. I am keeping all crossed that the surgery goes well. It's not an easy surgery, but after a few days you will be fine.

I am waiting to be called for my second mastectomy, so I know what you are talking about

Good luck, Carmen

Count me in for the bus ride. Sounds like you have everything pretty much set!

Denise

Sandy,

I was in your BMX shoes one month ago. You will probably wake up with a soft bra on. Mine had little pouches with velcro on them that attached to the bottom of the bra to hold the drains. You can make your own by cutting 4-5 inches off the toes of some socks and attaching the pouches to your bra. The tubes attached to the drains are pretty long. A few years ago with another surgery I put a very long loop of dental floss around my neck and safety pinned the drains to that. 

Do you have a person who can be with you? My daughter stayed with me one night in the hospital. It's certainly not necessary, but I found it so comforting. Bring socks if you get cold feet. A friend brought me a small knitted blanket that was perfect. It was cold in there! I could spread it out down to my toes or wrap it around me like a shawl.  I would also recommend a small notebook and pen for questions you might have. Cleaning yourself after going to the bathroom is difficult after a BMX. For a few days it hurts to reach across and under. Bring a wooden spoon, wrap a bunch of toilet paper around it, and use that for a few days, tossing it in the trash when you leave the hospital.

They gave me a huge mug in the hospital for water, but it was too heavy to lift. Ask them to fill it with just a little water and ice at a time. Bring some really small pillows. You will need them. Find some little ones - about 6' - 8" inches and barely stuffed with soft filling. They help keep you comfortable and fit perfectly under each arm to keep from irritating the places where the drains are sutured in. If you can't find them and don't have time to make them, buy a bag of stuffing or cotton balls and a couple Zip Lock bags and make your own. That will work in a pinch. Bring Chapstick. Your lips will be SO dry. If you have oxygen, your nasal passages dry out quickly. I found a little petroleum jelly helped.

They will get you up out of bed a few hours after surgery. Let the bed do the work. First make sure it is lowered as close to the floor as possible. Raise the top of the bed all the way behind you at your own speed. Don't let someone else control the speed.  Swing your legs over to the side and dangle for awhile, even if you are in an awkward position. Don't let them rush you! Get your feet under you - it was helpful to keep them wide. Keeping the muscles in your chest and arms relaxed, grip the nurses forearm and let her pull you up while you push up with your thigh muscles. I found it to be uncomfortable for a few seconds but the "rush of blood" feeling across my chest faded quickly and I was able to stand just fine. Bring your shoulders down and back. It will make you feel better. Don't stay hunched over.  

I kept losing the nurses call button that also had the on/off switch for the lights. Kept falling between the bed and sides where I couldn't reach.  Bring some really big safety pins or large document clips and pin it to your pillow. A little flashlight is handy if you think of something you want to write down at night or just want a sip of water but aren't sure where it is in the dark and don't want to turn on a big light.

I was in the hospital 7 days due to an infection. I had brought a book and a magazine but never opened them. I wanted peace and quiet. No tv.  Ask them to move you to a different room if you get a noisy roommate. It worked for me! I had a roommate who blared her tv 24/7 and had visitors all the time who spoke like they were at a party. I also asked the nurse to post a sign on the door saying Please Keep Door Closed since my room was near the nurses station. I swear the night crew is oblivious to the fact that people are trying to sleep. They laugh, shout, and come into your room evey hour all night for one reason or the other. If you have a roommate it's worse. Sometimes the nurse will turn on the big overhead lights...and they aren't even there for you!

Make sure they don't take your blook pressure in either upper arm after a BMX. They can take it on your leg. Some docs will let them take it on your wrist but hold the wrist up by your heart. If you leave it down, the BP will show low and if it's too high, the BP will show as higher. Lymphedema prevention starts on day one. Make sure you've read about it and know what to avoid. When I was too sick to be vigilant, they started taking it on the same upper arm for a couple of days. That upper arm is still sore a month later and I have some cording.

What about at home? Will someone come over at least some of the time? If not, set up your recovery area. Put a small cooler by a recliner. Have someone put juices (I craved orange juice) bottled water and your favorite snacks in the cooler with some ice every day. You may not be strong enough to open the tops of some soda bottles or medicine bottles so keep one of those jar openers handy. Earphones were a nice touch so I could listen to calm music. I never bothered with the tv during the day, but some people find watching happy movies or game shows helpful. One day I sat outside - it was wonderful to be in the fresh air.

For showers, I pinned my drains to a 2' long lenth of flat elastic around my neck, wrapped Saran wrap all around my bare chest, soaped everything else and used a hand held shower head to rinse off. Lean way over the sink or tub to wash your hair...but realize your doc may not want you to raise your arms that high. My husband did it for me at home. In the hospital they had a no-rinse shower cap. They warmed it up, put it on my head, and massaged. The shampoo does a good job and doesn't have to be rinsed out. Your head will be wet for awhile, which made me cold, but it was worth it for clean hair. If your hospital has them, ask for a couple to take home. I think they also have no-rinse shampoo at drugstores.     

Good luck! I'm wishing for a uncomplicated recovery period. Please let us know how you are doing.

xxoo,

Sandra

coco2008 said:

Your post brought up things I

Your post brought up things I hadn't planned on.  Thanks.  I will be doing a bit more preparation.

I'll bring extra Starbucks coffee and blueberry muffins  Will be thinking of you, as I had the same in May 2012.  You'll do fine.  Those tubes are the real pain.  Lots of hugs for you.  Linda

Wishing you easy and painless recovery and peace of mind. I haven't had mastectomy yet; had a couple of other surgeries involving staples and drains; it's not that bad with the right painkillers and a lot of patience. I came to realize that dirty house and takeout pizza are not the end of the world. Don't be a hero, ask and accept help from anyone willing to help.

Virtual hugs,

Alexandra

coco2008 said:

Stef, I'm going out tomorrow

Stef, I'm going out tomorrow to pick up last minute items and will definitely stop at the drugstore.  Thanks.

Alexandra, I agree.  I discovered during chemo that a dirty floor did not cause the earth to spin off its axis.  Tried to teach the dogs to do it, but training has not progressed that well in this area.

Starting to get nervous and edgy and this makes me goofy.  My sense of humor gets a bit strange. (maybe more than a bit.)  I have to get into surgery before they put me in a room with soft walls.

Bless you all,

Sandy

Sandy,

You sound like me.  Humor is my tool of choice for dealing with stuff (nearly all stuff) and sometimes it gets goofy, weird etc.  My best fried and I both have serious health issues and we kid about that neither of us can die because we haven't learned the words to Wind beneath My Wings.  We also threaten ulogies (wild made up stories) that would make us roll over in our graves so that keeps us going.  Once when I was having my ears examined and the doctor was looking at my left ear with the scope I raised my hand to the other ear and waved at it.  He almost dropped the scope he was laughing so hard (for those that don't readily get it I was pretending my head was hollow and he could see from one ear to the other)  But then everyone probably gets it.    I liked the training the dogs to wash the floor.  Perhaps if you sprinkled wet dog food all over they would like it clean.   It's much easier than teaching them to use a broom or mop.  LOL

 Use whatever helps you get through this.  I think most people get it when you are this nervous.

Stef