Hi Sue,
Thanks for the tips ,will grab some baby wipes today. I use deodorant sticks so that should be ok. Will get some dry shampoo too,just worried about brushing it out as I am right handed and having a right sided op!
It seems daft worrying about washing/hair but us girls can’t feel our best if we are pongy or have greasy hair eh?
Got slippers and new Pjs yesterday.I got some vest type ones and some front opening ones so think I have all angles covered .Also a short sleeved dressing gown which will be great to cover up for visitors.
Might attempt the Next sale tomorrow for some more PJs LOL!
Am I right and thinking you are from Edinburgh? Me too!
What op did you have?
Hi dotchas,
I am in Edinburgh too!
The nurses are FAb and will help you all you need, I didn’t find bras a very good idea at all, Debenhams, M and S etc have nothing…can you beleieve it?
I used those tops with a softly supprting internal part, after a day or two at home I got so p’d off with bras I just hung low and proud.
Good luck next week, take care of yourslelf and your needs before all else,
Gillian
After a week and a half, still can’t go without my sports bras. Quite glad as they cost a fortune. Wish I could find something for my sore armpit though.xxxx Jilly
Hi
I had problem with sports bras as they came too high up under armpit and caught where lymph nodes removed, best bras I got where cheapo soft non wired bras from Primark. Splashed out on more expensive ones much later.
Babs
Hi All,
Thanks for all the tips ,I feel a bit better now I am organised.Just doing that made me feel a bit more positive.Plenty PJs now courtesy of Next sale and Debenhams.
All styles some just vesty tops and some front buttoning.It’ll save OH having to wash them and bring back in for me.
I have some of those tops with built in support so will look those out.Also picked up a couple of cropped top things that are soft and stretchy.
I looked at sports bras but they seemed very stiff and all did up at the back ,I thought front fasteneing might be easier?
I am still scared s***less but just want it over so I can get on with recovering.
It was quite upsetting when shopping at the Next sale and I wasn’t sure if I would be able to wear some styles of tops.I don’t want to be too optimistic about how my “cleavage/chest” will look.Not that I am a young dollybird or anything I am a size 16 and 44 years old!
Gillian,
Nice to come across someone from Edinburgh,can I ask what surgery you had and when it was?.Was it in the WGH?
Dot
x
Hi Dot,
Good luck next week. Once you get in there and things start to move its almost a relief! The excercises I was given post surgery include one that is like brushing your hair so double benefit there - lol.
Take lipsalve definitly - very dry in hospitals and I recomend a large serviette for any inaccuracy at mealtimes whilst in bed/chair. Or was that just me??
Lots of hugs
Jojoxxx
Hi Jojo,
Thanks for the hugs and the laugh at the need for a large serviette…can’t go messing my new PJs can I?
Its not always easy eating in a hospital bed is it?
My hospital bag is getting bigger all the time.LOL!
Had to tell my Dad today,he is 86 and we lost my Mum to Lung cancer 5 years ago,it was very hard but we managed to convince him all will be well after the operation.I hated telling him as he WILL worry but couldn’t explain a week in hospital any other way.
Dot
x
Jojo
I am starting to just wish I was going today as I think/hope it will be a relief.
I had a lovely day yesterday with some very good friends ,we had load of laughs about boob jobs etc,it was great and I hope it helped them to see me positive and laughing.I got so much strength from being with people who care about me.Although I did shed some tears when it was time to go as next time I see them the operation will be over.
My Dr has signed me off so I just have to keep busy for the next 2 days.He also gave me temazepam to help me sleep and there was a huge panic last night when I couldn’t find them.OH had accidently thrown them in the bin! Controlled drugs in the bin!!!
I am up and down,sometimes its the op and the pain that scares me and sometimes its the change to my body that scares me and being able to look at at it.I am worried about life after the surgery too and accepting the changes.
Love to all you ladies,you are all so inspirational.
Dot
Dot
I have just replied on your other thread.
Accept the feelings and fears you have as natural. I had all those feelings, appart from the initial fears re surgery I too was worried about my altered body image. I can say I am not only pleased with the cosmetic result of my bi-lat LD recon but I also feel emotionally attached to the new me. Does that make sense? I think it is more important to accept the ‘new part’ of you and feel at peace with it. I went through a brief mourning almost, for the old me and now I cannot imagine looking any different to what I do now. This is me now. As for pain, do not put up with it, there is no need. Just ask for pain relief. If you do not tell the nursing staff they will not know, do not think you are being a nuisance. If you are pain free you will heal quicker.
As for Temazies in the bin, it reminds me of when I threw away my dental brace as a teenager and having to rumage trough the dustbin, and then when I found it I had to put the thing back in my mouth!!! Despite washing it I still gagged at the thought everytime I put it in.
All the best for Wednesday.
Jackie x
Hi Jackie,
Thanks for the words of wisdom from someone who has been there.I am feeling quite positive just now so just am worried that I will come down with a bump after surgery.I have had an operation on my foot and used to try and cover that scar!
I hope its Ok to start another thread ,I thought if there were a few of us ,we could have a wee diary going.
I am so grateful for all the advice re things to take as it makes me feel more organised and also OH will be left with a pile of “I might need this” where he knows to find them. I dare say I will still get some mismatched PJs or old pants!
LOL! at the brace in the bin,I also once lost a gold crown down the sink as a student and had to get landlord to rescue it ,I can understand the gagging!
Hi Dot,
Just to wish you luck for tomorrow, try not to worry about the pain it won’t be as bad as you think, (mine certainly wasn’t). Ask for all the pain meds you need ; don’t be needlessly brave!
I’m off away tomorrow for a few days so I will look out for your post telling how it went when I get back.
Lots of hugs
Jojoxxx
Hi Jojo,
I was fine yesterday,never shed a tear all day,for the first time since diagnosis.But today is a different story and its only 9am!
I think I’ll go out for some retail therapy later as a distraction.I am skint but what the h*ll! I won’t be spending much over the next week and I get free food!
Mind you OH will probably live on takeaways while I am in hospital despite the freezer being full,
I am getting a PCA pump so can control my drugs,I will use it when I need it (I usually hate painkillers and drugs) but I realise I will need them to allow me to mobilise and get better.
I am just recovering from a cold so still have a cough,that worries me as coughing will HURT!
Have a lovely few days away and enjoy yourself…you deserve it!
Love
Dot
x
Hiya,
my list of things to make a hospital stay more pleasant:
- A photo of loved ones to put on your locker that you can look at if you feel down.
- Ear plugs and an eye mask if you want a decent nights sleep!
- Take your own mug if you like a brew as its not very nice having it in a plastic cup.
- Lucozade!!! Always perks me up, was a godsend in hosp and when on chemo.
- Button through pj’s, short sleeved ideally.
- A nice pillow case or bag to put your drains in while you’re wandering around. I had to use a hosp pillow case for mine and it was far from ideal!
- ‘Exercises after breast surgery’ booklet from this website. Start them as soon as you are able, to aid recovery.
- Your mobile phone, if thats where all your numbers are.
- Some loose change for when the trolley comes with the sweeties and newspapers.
- Shampoo and conditioner in one, to save time and effort.
- Deodorant body wipes for when you can’t be bothered!!
- Make up and a small mirror so you can put your slap on whilst sitting on the bed.
- Moisturising body lotion for dry skin, esp heels and elbows.
- Mags/books/mp3 player etc…
- A decent non-wired bra. I was advised against an actual sprots bra by the lovely ladies in M&S who sorted me with a really plain soft comfy bra.
- A couple of safety pins to secure your ‘softie’ into your bra when you get it.
Hope that helps,
Good luck to all,
Kelly
-x-
My hospital tips:
earplugs, yes
a dressing gown with large armholes - you do not want to struggle into a restricted space when sore
personally I just used the hospital gowns, and my own pants, in hospital,
but button-up pyjamas as soon as I was home, essential for several weeks. (No upward reach for arms into a nightie)
(decent size arm-hole for pyjamas too remember).
slippers - who has been in those lavotories?? Maybe not your favourite slippers!
Major tip: get some “cot pillows” or little soft cushions you can manoevre one-handed, these are brilliant to shove in behind your back, or head, to make yourself comfortable. probably for home rather than hospital perhaps. Also, having had an mastectomy LD reconstruction, I used one pillow to rest between my arm and my rib cage on that side, to relieve pressure on the operated area.
Another tip, in hospital you might have a nice hand-controlled bed which raises up, but it can be very hard to go from lying on pillows, to upright, to get your feet out of bed to toddle to the loo. My (ex-sailor) husband made me a rope with knots, looped round the bottom bed bar, on which I could pull myself upright without hurting all those new scars. I was told hospitals do have leather straps which serve the same function - ASK for ONE
good luck ladies, you will recover from the op - its amazing how it does happen
linka
OH yes to add to the above - a comment on bras. Like someone above I found the sports bra cut too close to my lymph node removal scar. I just stuck to a one-size larger version of my normal and preferred M&S T-shirt bra, but after a couple of weeks lying back on pillows a lot I found the seam junctions began to bore into one or two places on my back. My suggestion is to get a couple of different variations and check the seam junction thicknesses against your shoulder blades - choose different places somehow.
linka
Coming Home:
One more nugget of advice while I am on line. I was so well supported during my 10 days in hospital. such wonderful caring nurses.
I came home and blubbed and railed and screamed at hubby for about 2 hours. VERY fortunately he had been tipped off that this is a very common reaction. I did feel much better afterwards mind you, and its long past…but be prepared! go with the flow. It is about suddenly loosing all that caring support, and you probably need to blow out the emotions.
linka
Hi Dot,
sorry I missed you I think, best of luck if Im not too late
Yes I was in WGH for mastectomy and node clearance, lInka’s tip about the cushion at your chest (if you are on your side) to support your arm, is a good one.
Thinking of you all,
God how many of us are there?
Gillian (feeling chipper enough after chemo No1)
Hi Guys,
Well I am home now,actually I got home on Tuesday but have felt sicky so not up to doing much.However I have managed a bit toast and tea this morning so hopefully I am getting better.
Thanks for all the tips ,my washbag was bursting with goodies but I ended up only using shampoo,shower gel and body lotion.I had a bit of a rough time as I lost a lot of blood at surgery and ended up in the High dependency unit! The resulting iron tablets and the antibiotics made me feel ill the whole time.
The actual pain was better than expected and very well controlled.Now I am just sore on moving and stiff.
I have been bubbling regularly so OH is used to it! There is more to come I know.
The hospital gave me a couple of lovely soft front fasten bras to wear (ROYCE COMFIBRA) I actually woke up wearing one!
I am having trouble sleeping as I ALWAYS sleep on my tummy…not now! I have also developed a sharp pain in my new boob that really hurts when it moves ,not sure if I should call the hospital about it?
Thanks for all tips and good wishes
Dot
xx
Hi Dot
Well done!! Glad you’re back. Sharp pain is normal - it will ease up but I understand it does feel rather alarming. The sleeping will also get easier - make sure you keep on top of your pain relief and that will help. Call your BC nurse if you’re not sure.
Sounds like you have had an interesting time of it. I had to have second op and ended up in ITU too - very interesting place. Your nausea will get better - I can recommend soup. Remember listen to your body and rest lots.
lol Ruthus xxxx
Hi Ruthus,
Thanks,just had a call back from breast care nurse so I am getting it looked at 1pm just to be sure.The pain is stopping me coughing properly its so sharp.I am sure its nothing to worry about but better get it checked out!
HDU was horrible,I was much happier in the Breast Unit ward, the staff there were angels.
Might have soup for lunch. Its a good job hospital soup is yummy as thats all i could eat!
I have my other half running after me ,although sometimes when he is kipping on the sofa,you would think it was him who was ill!
I have no energy so cant do anything but rest ,suppose it’ll get better when I am eating better.
Love
Dot
x