ok you pros, tell me how on earth this is done? Lumpectomy yesterday, sentinel node removal, pain leaving it hard to utilise right arm, dressings on both breast and underarm which I am NOT allowed to get wet. I smell of hospital and antiseptic, and shower every day and not enjoying the experience of feeling unclean. How does one achieve this, just stand in a shower and direct away From one arm ? Forget it and deal with nothing for a few days ?? Flannel kind of swatted around a bit? Enlighten me someone please …X
Hi, I washed using a flannel and the sink for the first couple of days avoiding the dressings then after that either sat in a shallow bath and used the flannel or showered very, very carefully. X
Charys I did exactly the same as On A Diversion & I have to admit I didn’t smell as sweet as a daisy for a few days but at the end of the day it is only a few days. Try living with a peg on your nose & standing several feet away from anybody!!! Anita xx
I echo the other 2 ladies. Although certain dressing are supposed to be shower proof you can’t be a 100% certain. I just had all over washes at the sink and greasy hair! X
Charys I showered with the help of hubby, he taped a carrier bag over my dressings and hosed me down! It was a quick flannel under affected armpit but never felt properly clean, would tell people to keep to the left of me as mine was right side!! It gave us a good laugh ? My dressings were off by day 5 as they were driving me nuts!!
This takes me make to December when I came out of hospital with dressings and a drain following my masectomy and reconstruction. I used to have shallow baths and washed my top half with a flannel. I also used to wipe under my arm with baby wipes whenever I felt sweaty. Because I had lymph nodes removed, I was unable to wear deodorant to begin with. I have since found that Aloe Vera gelly is a very effective deodorant! I’ve been using it for months now and it’s got be through the non- showering days of chemotherapy (when I’ve just not felt up to it). Obviously it hasnt had the test of a full day at work - or a hot summers day!! But it’s been such a relief to find something gentle in my poor armpits!
Sending you all loads of good luck with your recovery after your operations and any next steps
Xxx
I forgot about baby wipes! Years ago I had a phone call from my mother in law. Would I be able to take some baby wipes round to my brother in law (nearer to us than anyone else) as he was flat out in bed with a bad back and couldn’t shower or bath. He needed to wash his front bottom! Slightly panicked as worried he might need help ? as she indicated, due to my disabled son, I was used to these issues. I just dumped them, made him some lunch and a drink and left quickly!!
Also quite a way into my wound issues I was fed up of sink washing but was told not to shower. Tried cling film. Didn’t work. Luckily tried it just before a dressing get change. To be fair these were allevyn dressings by then
Oh yes I used baby wipes the first day after op and then if I felt pongy during the day after washing. My underarm is still healing so it is a good idea to take wipes with me where I go, hadn’t thought of that before and will also give ‘Hello Vera’ a go, thanks for the tip xx
Wahha…glad you stopped me before I tried cling film…it had also occurred to me as a possibility earlier lol got the baby wipes ladies…flipping excellent!!! See this is the sort of stuff the nurses don’t tell you, practical differences.
Thank you both very much. I think I’m just to have slightly hairy pits for a few weeks until chemo unless it really bothers me as the scar is still uncomfortable. My husband remembered the nurse had said it was ok to shave as long as you use a new blade (eg disposable razor) every time and avoid any wounds. So good to use deodorant (stick) again. It’s the small things!!!
