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beth1225 Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1731 |
Jul 21, 2007 04:18 pm
beth1225 wrote:
Yup laxatives a must if on percosets and the like! -drink plenty of fluids -if you have drains get a pad to record the date, time of day and amount emptied -be sure to take pain meds. studies have proven that a patient who has less pain recovers better. don't try to be a hero and not take them. -I hung my drains over a plastic hanger and put it over the shower head. -take advantage of visiting nurse service if it is available and the insurance pays for it. VERY IMPORTANT: ask questions of the docs and nurses, no matter how insignificant you may think it is. Next! |
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rubytuesday… Joined: May 2006 Posts: 2187 |
Jul 21, 2007 05:37 pm
rubytuesday wrote:
-Hand held shower....couldn't live without mine after surgery!! -Take eye drops and chapstick to the hospital for after surgery. -Black zip-front hoodie was my best friend and covered a multitude. -Get copies of your pathology report and any other tests, etc. I ALWAYS get copies of EVERYTHING....makes researching MUCH easier! |
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nosurrender… Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 4715 |
Jul 21, 2007 05:41 pm
nosurrender wrote:
For those who might be afraid of the pain... I did my bilateral on just Tylenol. It is doable. Take your meds on time to prevent pain- it is easier than trying to stop it. |
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chemosabi Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 7044 |
Jul 22, 2007 03:16 am
chemosabi wrote:
Before my surgery, I was an emotional wreck. After surgery, I remember waking up from the anesthesia and thinking "its gone." What a relief, knowing the cancer had been removed and I could them move foward to a treatment plan. Alot of good suggestions here already. Mine is to make sure you use your incentive spirometry and take deeps breaths often. Dont want to chance getting pneumonia as a post op complication. Also - move those legs and toes. Keep the blood circulating. Nicki |
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Boo46 Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 710 |
Jul 22, 2007 10:13 am
Boo46 wrote:
A friend bought me a softie camisol with the drain pockets. I used it constantly after surgery. It was so comfortable. Sue |
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Anonymous Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 1432 |
Jul 22, 2007 06:40 pm
Anonymous wrote:
Get some: Large elastic waistband sweat pants/pajamas Large mens shirts that button down the front or zip/velcro When allowed by doctor be sure to complete recommended arm exercises. Have someone come over and help you complete them. My sister is an Occupational Therapist....she helped me with arm exercises so that I could regain my range of motion. |
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marshakb Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1763 |
Jul 23, 2007 04:23 am
marshakb wrote:
The best advice I got was from LauraGTO: fanny pack for the drains was great! I didn't have that much pain from the mastectomy so tylenol did it for me too. Port surgery was more painful and I did take the loratabs for that. I guess putting something in, instead of taking something off, was more painful since we still have feeling in that area! Watch out for the constipation tho! Marsha |
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lvtwoqlt Joined: May 2007 Posts: 2431 |
Jul 25, 2007 12:43 pm
lvtwoqlt wrote:
When filling medicine at the drug store, ask for non-child proof caps. I was by myself every evening and with the bi-lat I could not open the child-proof caps easily for several days. Fortunatly my mom had caps to fit my bottles and saved a trip back to the drug store. Sheila |
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beth1225 Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1731 |
Jul 26, 2007 08:23 am
beth1225 wrote:
Thought of a couple other things: -get alcohol wipes to help with "stripping" the drains of clots. Ask the nurse at the hospital to show and your caregiver how to do it. Alcohol wipes help make it easier to move aling the tubing. -get disposable gloves, Walmart sells a brand that runs about $3.50 for 50 and are latex free. ***!!!Ask for the Q-ball anesthetic pump. It stays in for a few days and delivers constant pain relief to the surgery site. This is over and above the PCA Morphine. Usually comes out in 3-4 days. |
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lvtwoqlt Joined: May 2007 Posts: 2431 |
Jul 26, 2007 11:42 am
lvtwoqlt wrote:
I agree with the soft camisole with the inside pockets in the breast area, the BC nurse gave me 2 at the hospital as well as 'sally bags', 6x6 inch soft knit pocket/bag with a long satin ribbon to hang around your neck to carry the jp drains when you don't want to wear the cami. Sheila |
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Methusala Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 242 |
Jul 26, 2007 08:35 pm Methusala wrote: It never occurred to me until today that my drains fit nicely in my pockets. I wear loose clothing anyway, so they fit nicely lol |
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sandyk Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 364 |
Jul 31, 2007 02:17 pm
sandyk wrote:
1. A lanyard worn around the neck comes in handy in the shower--you can pin the drains to it. 2. Start taking a stool softener a couple of days before surgery. 3. Have gauze and first aid tape on-hand so you can change the dressings where the drains enter your body (or have someone help you). If you shower, they get soaked, but after a few days they are dirty even if you don't shower. 4. If you have long hair, something to put it up with. |
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LauraR Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 66 |
Aug 1, 2007 06:55 am
LauraR wrote:
1. I had trouble bending down to pick things. Since I lived by myself, I ended up putting things at waist level which really helped. For example, I got my sister to put the dog food on a chair and I had the dog's bowls on a stool. I put the trash can on a chair. I put a chair next to the refrigerator so I could sit down and get things out easier. I put a chair in front of the dryer so I wouldn't have to bend down so far to get clothes. . 2. I also bought a gopher pick up tool. You've seen them on TV. It's kinda of like a long pole with grippers that allows you to pick up things off of the floor without bending over. It helped a lot. |
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3coolkidsmo… Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 51 |
Aug 2, 2007 09:35 pm 3coolkidsmom-2007Jan05 wrote: My favorite post op tip came from my nurse. She said to wear Duster-type gowns inside out and put the drains in the pockets. Dusters, or lightweight robes are readily available at all department stores and Wallmart. |
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geebung Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 1016 |
Aug 6, 2007 10:27 pm geebung wrote: If you live in a cool climate or have surgery in autumn/winter, a warm shawl is great to keep you warm and you don't have to worry about putting your sore arm/s through sleeves. I knitted my "comfort shawl" between my lumpectomy and mastectomy and it was soothing therapy while I was making it and warm and comforting to wear it. |
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1965sally Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 74 |
May 3, 2008 12:39 am
1965sally wrote:
Button up blouses/shirts are a must. I had trouble figuring out what undergarment to wear because I had a reduction on one breast and mastectomy of the other. The remaining (smaller) breast needs some light support. I couldn't imagine how small I would be so I didn't buy a front-close bra, but soon as I can go out I think I will. I've got some overhead sports bras nice and soft, but hard to get over the head of course. One I managed to get on, the elastic at the bottom was too tight so I just cut it in 3 places instead of taking it off! Men's "lounge pants" or pajama bottoms are good because they have pockets (for a drain or a tissue or a telephone) - why don't they give women pockets??? This day and age, I swear.... Dx 12/20/2007, DCIS, 6cm+, Stage 0, Grade 3, 0/1 nodes, ER+/PR+ |
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MsSherry Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 162 |
May 3, 2008 07:15 am
MsSherry wrote:
My tips: *Fanny pack for drains *Those foam bead filled pillows in the shape of a neckroll to place under the arm (I used 2 for my bilateral) for when you are resting in the recloner. The beads form around the drain tubes and give you something to rest your arms on. *A notebook next to your meds to jot down when you took them PLUS have people sign it if they come and visit (have them add their address too) and it will make it easier to write Thank Yous too. Dx 4/25/2008, DCIS, 2cm, Stage 0, 0/0 nodes |
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MsSherry Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 162 |
May 3, 2008 07:18 am
MsSherry wrote:
I had the Q ball and honestly never felt it did anything. I never knew it was empty until my husband asked and I checked on day 4. I have the option for having it again (I have to pay each time out of pocket $350) for my implants and I don't think I will. It may be a YMMV thing. Dx 4/25/2008, DCIS, 2cm, Stage 0, 0/0 nodes |
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lini57 Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 3831 |
May 3, 2008 08:09 am, edited May 3, 2008 08:28 AM
by lini57
lini57 wrote:
Sherry- Do you mean to say that you had a lot of pain or not with the OnQ ball? I had the OnQ with both my bilat. and expander surgeries and never needed any pain meds. I did not have one with implant surgery and also, didn't need pain meds. I do think though that had I not had it with the first two surgeries I may have had some pain other than just discomfort. Not sure, though. But I definitely would not pay the $350 for expander to implant exchange. That surg. was a piece of cake. Not sure if any one has mentioned already as I haven't read back, but I also purchased to surgical camisoles. They had removable pockets for holding drains. I basically wore these 24/7 for the first few months after bilateral. They also had pockets and came with pillow-like breast forms that I wore for months until I got my prosthesis and later my reconstruction. I highly advise these as they also offered protection and coverage without irritation to the scars. Edited to add ~ Don't forget to take a picture of your breasts. I forgot and wish I had. It would have been to nice to have a clear vision of what they looked like. Especially now that I'm shopping nipple colors. I'm always steppin' in and out of crap!
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Roxi Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 126 |
May 3, 2008 11:14 am
Roxi wrote:
I'm two weeks right breast unilateral masc with left reduction. I slept in the recliner for 13 days and tried the bed last night. I used my daughters bed rest and lots of pillows and I must admit, I slept pretty good. I have been living in zip-up hoodies to go out in and dusters at home with loose fitting yoga pants (quite attractive..Ha). Luckily my plastic surgeon took pictures of my breast. It's amazing how many of my friends want to see them... Dx 3/21/2008, IDC, 1cm, Stage IIb, Grade 3, 2/15 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2+ |
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LorenaB Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 544 |
May 3, 2008 11:21 am
LorenaB wrote:
Question: I don't have a recliner. Will I be ok with lots of pillows or should I try to rent a recliner or a hospital bed? Thanks! Dx 12/20/2007, IDC, 1cm, Stage II, Grade 3, 1/11 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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otter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 1897 |
May 3, 2008 01:04 pm
otter wrote:
Wow, where did this thread come from? Thanks for resurrecting it. otter Dx 1/14/2008, IDC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 2, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2- |
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MsSherry Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 162 |
May 3, 2008 03:38 pm
MsSherry wrote:
I had the Q ball and I felt it did nothing for me. I never even felt when it ran out. I was in as much pain on day 1 as I was on day 3 or 4 when it was empty. I begged for my IV pain medicine ever 4 hours. Dx 4/25/2008, DCIS, 2cm, Stage 0, 0/0 nodes |
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MsSherry Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 162 |
May 3, 2008 03:43 pm
MsSherry wrote:
Oh and I have not had the expander. I had a bilateral skin and nipple sparing mastectomy (was supposed to go straight to alloderm and implants but had complications). So I am just all skin now and May 29 I am due to get the alloderm and implants. I am guessing this will not be painfree since basically my muscle is going to be stretched all at once vs slow with the expander. Dx 4/25/2008, DCIS, 2cm, Stage 0, 0/0 nodes |
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swimangel72… Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 418 |
May 3, 2008 04:29 pm
swimangel72 wrote:
MsSherry - I had the Q ball too for my Diep (it was located in my abdominal area) and still I had to cry out for my IV pain meds every 4 hours......to the point where I told the nurses to have it ready for me at 3.5 hours - to wake me up if necessary because if they didn't, I'd be like a raving lunatic. Still we all have different pain thresholds, and I was suffering from an abdominal staph infection. Anyway - Sherry - I hope your surgery on May 29th is much less painful - and I bet it will be. I don't think they have to stretch your muscle as much when you use Alloderm, but keep us posted as the time drawers nearer. 3/3/08 Right-side mastectomy with immediate Diep
Dx 2/5/2008, IDC, <1cm, Stage I, Grade 1, 0/7 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+ |
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otter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 1897 |
May 3, 2008 06:37 pm
otter wrote:
LorenaB, nothing beats a recliner. Maybe you can find one at a rental center and rent it for a couple of weeks. It really helps to be able to sleep partially upright, and keep yourself on your back. Pillows might be OK, but I don't think they would have done the trick for me. I didn't have recon, but swimangel and others would probably attest that you can't really stretch your chest and abdomen for awhile after surgery. Being able to tuck them up a bit may be more comfortable. otter Dx 1/14/2008, IDC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 2, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2- |
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Roxi Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 126 |
May 4, 2008 09:38 am
Roxi wrote:
LorenaB,
Dx 3/21/2008, IDC, 1cm, Stage IIb, Grade 3, 2/15 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2+ |
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1965sally Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 74 |
May 16, 2008 08:31 pm
1965sally wrote:
I've been sleeping on my couch with lots of pillows, yes about 30 degrees is good, and it works fine for me, because I just didn't have any space for a recliner. When I dozed in one at my parents' house I found I didn't have the arm movement or strength to move the lever up or down, so that is something to consider too. And my surgeon reminded me if I did use a recliner to keep track of the drains before you close up the recliner - make sure the tubes don't get caught down in the machinery! owwww. I have had to strengthen my abdominals to get up from lying down, since I couldn't push up with my arms. If anyone is having abdominal surgery at the same time as both sides of your chest, you really need to think about having a recliner or hospital bed that can raise and lower you - for the first couple of weeks probably til you can use your ams and elbows to support you. Otherwise I don't know how you would get out of bed! third surgery's the charm???
Dx 12/20/2007, DCIS, 6cm+, Stage 0, Grade 3, 0/1 nodes, ER+/PR+ |
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lvtwoqlt Joined: May 2007 Posts: 2431 |
May 21, 2008 02:22 pm
lvtwoqlt wrote:
I didn't have room at my house for a recliner last year with my bilat mast with expanders. I used my husbands large overstuffed chair and ottoman with plenty of pillows to cushion and allow me to recline comfortably. When I graduated to sleeping in the bed, I still used plenty of pillows both under my head and knees as well as at each side to support my arms. Sheila We are like tea bags, we don't know how strong we are until we were thrown into hot water. Eleanore Roosevelt
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lewing Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 213 |
May 23, 2008 07:52 am
lewing wrote:
I also managed without a recliner, but I think a lot depends on the nature of your surgery. I had a single mast and node dissection, no reconstruction. For the first week or so I slept in my regular bed propped up with pillows (including a pillow under my knees and another to support my surgery arm). I slept great, but getting into and out of bed was a challenge for the first few days. It really worked those core muscles, and even though I was in good shape, I definitely felt the burn. It felt like I'd finished a long session with a really sadistic pilates instructor. If I'd had a bilateral, I don't know if I could have done it. If I'd had a TRAM, forget it. Linda Dx 1/15/2008, IDC, 1cm, Stage IIa, Grade 1, 1/14 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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