Hi @wibbles just popping over to see how everyone is doing near to the end of chemo. And saw your post.
Goodness what a tough time you have had with Hospitals and surgery. And now going through all this. 
Re : sleeping after a Mastectomy. This may be helpful:
I had Right Mastectomy in February. I had 5 lymphs removed that were all cancerous.
….On waking up, I saw such a neat scar. I was so relieved. I was given a Softie as I left hospital. Which I used for ages. I wore a Cancer Research Front Bamboo fastening, post mastectomy, pocketed bra, that stretches to any cup size, or simply stays flat. I love it, it is so comfortable and great when I want to stay flat some days.
I also got a Knitted Knocker. It is so cool in hot weather. So between the KK and Softie I have been fine. Both give me protection on my right side. They are soft and gentle on the skin. Not like the harder, more nylon based prosthetics that were too hard on new scars. I have a new prosthetic from my Trust, that I will use only for certain clothes that need a better fit. Again I would wear this on cooler days..
My scar had a seroma for numerous weeks/months. That has started to reduce now. The Softies and KK have been kind to that area. Harder types were too uncomfortable, pressed too hard against the seroma/scar tissue around that area. So I avoided these.
I tend to stay with KK and Softie or I go flat.
….I had a drain for 4 /5 days. Hated this, as the bottles are huge. And you have to avoid snagging the drain tube on things. So you need a good light, deep, cotton shoulder bag, with long comfy shoulder straps that allow you to manoeuvre the bag when sitting, sleeping, moving around. I was given one by my hospital before I left. It was so useful. I used two soft rounded clothes pegs to close the top of the bag and stop the bottle falling out in bed etc.
I was also given a heart shaped cushion by my Trust. All hand sewn by volunteers . These were for under arm use to take the pressure off my scar by my arm. I still use it.
I also used my shirts to cover the drain and stop it snagging.
….Due to lymph removal, the skin on my upper arm became super sensitive.
Id bought much larger, cotton, front fastening shirts, as I was restricted in my arm movements so couldnt use any of my TShirts/dresses with tight sleeves. All of them !!! So I became a frump.
But then my arm couldnt cope with the cotton. It was like sandpaper on my upper arm.
In desperation I bought an M&S silk shirt. Not for looks but for comfort. 2 sizes bigger/baggy. It was a game changer. It stopped the skin sensitivity in no time. I still use it now around the house and at bedtimes. It washes and dries really quickly. Unlike cotton.
…..Sleeping: i couldnt side sleep. It was too painful if I pressed on the scar. But not painful if I kept pressure off the scar area and lymph area. I rarely needed painkillers as I was very pro active. But back sleeping was huge for me as I hate back sleeping due to serious lower back and neck problems.
But the following worked….
I used a Vshaped pillow. Always. I still do. It allows you to rest your arms on the top of the pillow, and effectively pins you into a back position. So you cant wriggle as easily.
Re drain. I created a nest at the side of me. Using my heart shaped pillow to rest the bottle against. I kept my right side free and placed another pillow by the side of me, next to the V pillow, to rest my arm against and to keep my arm away from the drain. So make sure, the side you have your op on, has at least 2feet of free space to keep your arm away from the scar and drain.
Its best you sleep on the side of the bed opposite to your scar, then you can use your good arm to help push you out of the bed, and slide out of bed easily. Keeping your sore area safe. My op was right side, so I would sleep on the left side if in a double bed. Mine is single.
I had an OT come and run through techniques prior to leaving hospital, as my discs can quickly slip, if I move badly, and Im in agony for weeks. So getting the movements and sleeping right were seriously crucial for me.
Strangely it all worked fine. My bed is single, so I placed a piano stool by the side of the bed to extend its width on the right. I also got a step for the left side to get me into the middle of the bed without needing to wriggle myself over.
My biggest help was having a recliner bed and being slightly elevated. You can get under the mattress wedges from disability aid shops, that do the same for normal flat mattresses. Or you can elevate yourself using a selection of firm pillows. I found sitting up slightly was really comfortable and took pressure off my spine. It stopped me wriggling.
Ive needed three V pillows, as they get squished and hard to readjust. So last week I bought a wool VPillow, from “The Woolshop”. You can buy online or over the phone. This has been great as it has zips to plump up the fibres. Ive also bought extra fibres to make the pillow firmer if needed. I bought one of their pillow cases more as a liner, as they too are zipped. Then ive placed a cheap pillowcase over that.
In the hot weather I was sweating too much and the fillings were getting damp. I didnt like not being able to wash the fibres, but the wool one I can take it out, wash and dry it. But actually, its regulated my heat better. So ive not noticed any damp areas. Sadly they are not cheap. But after 3Vshaped in 6 months, long term they work out cheaper. As they last for upto 10years.
…..im only just starting to sleep on my right side after three months.
I had been able to sleep abit on my left side for a couple of blissful weeks, just prior to chemo in May. But the PICC stopped all that. !!!
The left side sleeping, was a problem for many weeks, post op, as I couldnt cope with my right arm resting on my scar/seroma.
Hope this helps get your ideas flowing.
Others may have other ideas. Other experiences. But its good to be pre planned. It makes everything so much easier after the operation. Even if some things dont work, like cotton shirts, I still needed them in the hospital as I needed everything front fastening.
…..three months on. Im going to physiotherapy for my right arm movements as I have tightness from scar tissue from my elbow to the middle of my chest due to lymph removal. But I have far less pain. I can get items out of top cupboards better now, but I did by one of those grab canes, which helped a lot. I became old fast, but I was so glad I was sensible.
I also bought one of those disability sock aids. That was fantastic when I couldn’t reach down to put my socks on. I live on my own.
The pain from the scar was only from over stretching. Not a constant pain. By making adaptations re pillows, cushions…even now…pain/discomfort is minimal . I just need to gently stretch it bit by bit. As the removal of lymphs does tighten everything up. But its very tender in the first weeks. Sudden movements make your eyes water. So be careful.
Hope this helps. 
