Topic: Shopping/packing/to-do list for surgery + recovery....

Feb 6, 2008 07:11 PM otter wrote:

Panchoandlefty--

I just got home from the hospital a couple of hours ago (SNB + left-side mastectomy w/o recon).  I, too, had seen lots of helpful suggestions on this board.  Here's my experience (so far), FWIW:

Some hospitals provide camis and/or surgery bras to their patients. Mine provided 1 safety pin and a measuring cup, plus some opened packages of sterile gauze bandage material they'd used on me.

My onco surgeon's secretary told me to bring a sports bra to wear home.  There is NO WAY I could wear a sports bra, or any other bra, right now.  The site is sore and a bit swollen, and my skin is very sensitive from tape (see below).  A soft flannel shirt is just right.

I took books, magazines, everything except my ipod; but I didn't use any of them.  My dh did a lot of reading while he waited for me during & after surgery, but I was too woozy-headed and just wanted to nap.

My meds were simple:  I had 3 meds I was taking regularly, and they gave me those while in the hospital.  In addition, they gave me Percoset for pain, Cholase for constipation, and Prilosec.  At discharge, they gave me a prescription for the Percoset and Cholase.  Since Percoset is an opiate, I doubt they'd have given it to me ahead of time.  My dh filled the script as we drove home.

My biggest problem right now is skin damage from the bandaging tape.  My skin is thin and sensitive to adhesives, so I have big red blotches everywhere the pressure bandage was taped.  On my chest I have a nickel-sized erosion that feels like a burn, where my skin ws actually pulled off with the tape.  Another bandage placed over that erosion produced more soreness from tape.  I've decided to go tapeless, where possible; and use only the softest cloth tape if taping is necessary.

The nurses made sure I knew how to empty and measure the drain fluid, "recharge" the drains, and strip the tubing.  They had me show them I could do it before I left.  No big deal so far.

The drains themselves are a problem, of course.  This morning I noticed a firm cord running across my chest from my shoulder almost to my sternum.  It hurt like heck.  When I asked the docs what it was, they said it was one of my drains.  They said normally that drain is not so visible because there's more fat over it.  On me, it looks like a tendon that wasn't there before.

Oh, and the small, soft pillow was essential for the drive home.  It kept the shoulder harness off my chest.

otter 

Feb 6, 2008 08:49 PM, edited Feb 6, 2008 08:50 PM by sandilee

Oh, yes- the hair!  I wasn't allowed to shower until my drain was out, so my mom drove me to a local hairdresser for a wash and blow dry - not too expensive.  The following week I drove myself, even after my drain was out.  It felt great!

I took and used eyedrops for my dry eyes.

I also arranged all my post surgery robes, pj's, button down shirts and hoodies on a rack in one easy to reach place so I could dress myself easily the first couple of weeks without rummaging through my closet.

 Have neosporin on hand for any latex burns from drains or surgical tape.

  Also, I used adult "baby wipes" to give myself sponge baths for the first couple of days when I couldn't shower. It was easier than dealing with soap and water when one side was very sore.

You might want a little blanket and a pillow for the ride home if it's cold where you are.

Feb 11, 2008 11:16 AM otter wrote:

(bumping thread up for Carly)

otter 

Feb 12, 2008 02:06 AM Noni wrote:

I had a bilateral mastectomy and DIEP flap on 1/21.  I had a hard time due to infection so I spent two weeks in the hospital.   I came home Superbowl Sunday.

Here are my suggestions:

I have been using the rubber band type tourniquet to help me shower.  I pin the drains to it and hang it around my neck.   It's worked perfect so far.

I brought several books and magazines to the hospital with me and all were useless.  I didn't read a thing thanks to all the meds I was on.  The TV could barely hold my attention.    

There was an incredible amount of swelling after surgery and I found that despite having what I consider a huge chunk of my body removed, even my fattest of fat clothes didn't fit.  That was a depressing first couple of days.

I have a tear in one of my breasts that the PS is still a bit concerned about.  It's putting out a lot of fluid and the dressing I got from the pharmacy just wasn't cutting it.  I finally decided to try a thin maxi-pad in my bra and it works like a charm.  

I was sent home with two different antibiotics and pain meds.   My doctor suggested I take stool softener  which I found to be a bad idea since the antibiotics were doing a number on my bowels.  Something to keep in mind.

A visiting nurse suggested I wet my fingers to help strip my drains but I found that using lotion works much better.   Stripping my drains has become the favorite part of my day.   I love seeing clean tubes!

Hope that helps! 

Feb 12, 2008 05:07 PM, edited Feb 12, 2008 05:08 PM by LorenaB

I was told that I had to wear a bra all the time for the first two days after surgery (including while sleeping) and then while awake for 1-2 weeks after that.  I'm very large-breasted (DDD cup) but I think these were the general instructions for everyone getting a lumpectomy.  I have another surgery coming up next week (to remove more nodes plus a bit of breast tissue since the margins weren't clean) and I just went out and bought a really comfortable cotton bra without underwires (normally a must for me).  I look dreadful in it ("two watermelons in a hammock" is how a friend describes it) but it will be perfect for sleeping and hanging around the house.  Also, I was able to pull a shirt over my head post-surgery without much difficulty - I just had to do it slowly and carefully.

Is there a nurse at your surgeon's office who you could call to ask about this?

Feb 15, 2008 05:16 PM, edited Feb 15, 2008 05:17 PM by pdm

I also was told to keep a bra on ..they never said how long but one night I decided to take it off after my husband helped me bathe ..(couldn't stand it anymore) The next morning I Felt so sore . After putting the bra back on it relieved the preasure off  the breast  . The support of the bra really does help ..My husband and mother inlaw went to walmart and got 2 bras that hook in the front..that plus the one I got from the hospital was just right ..I never wear walmart bras but believe it or not they worked perfectly. Just enough support  with no underwire.. inexpensive enough  not to worry about not wearing them again once healed.

Feb 21, 2008 07:07 PM otter wrote:

bump (for newcomers)

Feb 26, 2008 02:35 PM lvtwoqlt wrote:

Bumping for Lisa

Sheila

Mar 6, 2008 10:47 AM lvtwoqlt wrote:

bump for lily

Sheila

Mar 6, 2008 11:02 AM lvtwoqlt wrote:

Ottawagirl. bumping is just to get the conversation back on the active conversation list and bringing it back to the top of the page. I do it if I see someone with questions about a procedure that has been discussed to get the information without everyone reposting what had been posted before.

Sheila

Mar 6, 2008 11:28 AM crazydaisy wrote:

thanks for the bumping.......checking the list too!

Mar 12, 2008 02:24 PM AndreaM4567 wrote:

Thank you thank you thank you to everyone who took the time to make this list!

I think you have saved us getting ready to go in for surgery a whole lot of pain and trouble.

Mar 12, 2008 04:17 PM AndreaM4567 wrote:

Thank you so much Shiela, I have made a list of things to talk to my ps about. And then I have my to-do/to-buy list too.

Well fortunately/unfortunately I have severe spastic IBS so I will not be needing any medications for constipation. I will have to stop the one I am on to control the IBS and that's it. It's just so feminine! LOL!

And on the note of the Lazy Boy thing. I don't have one but I wanted to pass on something I am going to try this weekend. We have a Rent-A-Center here locally, I am going to go see if I can rent a Lazy Boy for a little while. Just an idea for those like me who do not have Lazy Boys and may need one to sleep in. Crossing my fingers they have them there. 

Mar 12, 2008 05:53 PM Nanstoys wrote:

I got my sports bras a JC Penny on line MF128-6330Q is the item number. They are $26.00.  Mostly cotton and they zip up the front.  They were are real life saver.  I wore mine for a week after the lumpectomy and it really minimized the pain.  Much better then not wearing one. Am hoping to use them during radiation also.

Mar 12, 2008 07:52 PM Steph_Rose wrote:

i cannot imagine not having a recliner to sleep in.....especially because i had tram-flap also.....so i am cut hip to hip

i tried to get in bed 2 days ago and it pulled at my abdominal sutures badly...thn, i could't get up with out my hubby practically lifting me

make sure you have lots of robes or button front pj's