new and future flat sister, with questions
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Green Vibrance, it's a powder packed full of tons of nutrients. It's not that bad.... *ducks from Bobogirl* I put it into shakes and can't taste it at all. Guess I am now Green V traitor!
I'm confused, they don't have anything at the hospital? That's where I got my camisoles, they wrote me a prescription type thing and I went down to the shop and got them. They were similar to this https://www.tlcdirect.org/Post-Surgery-Mastectomy-...
To me, they were similar to cuddleduds.. not sure if you are familiar with them. They were soft, but I found though that the velcro front was stiff and sometimes not very comfortable.
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That is what I bought for myself. My hospital didn't have anything either.0 -
hahaha... I am laughing at Zils scolding you naughty girls lol.
JSJ, I am glad you are still on track to finish by Christmas... I'm sorry you have had difficulties, but I am happy to see you are in good spirits.
Chloesmom, they gave me these big ole safety pins after surgery and for me personally, I found the higher up the drains were positioned the more comfortable it felt.. I didn't like the "pulling" feeling, so I just safety pinned those suckers near their incision site. I never really used the pockets of my cami. As far as wrapping, as you have probably noticed, each BS has their own way of doing things, so you should talk to them first. Some of us could shower, others couldn't. Some of us were wrapped, others weren't... etc.
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I bought 2 (facilitating laundry) of the velcro front opening cami from TLC that Glennie recommended - they were perfect - comfortable and easy to slip in and out of. The attached drain pouches were easy to use as well. Later, I actually wore these camis with the soft poofy prostheses that they came with - wore under soft mens' button-down shirts and zip-up fleeces. I felt cozy. I used the same pouches on a drain belt in the shower. I did not have any compression suggested but would not have wanted it - my chest was hyper sensitive at first. Glennie's Home Depot belt suggestion sounds smart. I used a ribbon looped around my neck. Just don't attach your drains to your pants and then pull them down in a spacey moment! My first bra was a zip up the front cotton sports bra from TLC as well, worn with the poofies that came with the camis.
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Welcome Daisy. Those were great cami's, weren't they? I thought they were well worth the $$ spent.
I did not use the Home Depot nail pouch personally, but bought one for a male friend who has BC. I figured the cami's would be too girly for him. He had 3 drains,, and the belt had 3 pockets, so it was perfect. He wore button down shirt over it and it hid the belt. worked well.
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Glennie, I really do have fond memories of the camis - sad but true. And those poofs - wore those for couple months because of my seroma...
My hospital/surgeon provided exactly 2 safety pins post surgery (I only had 2 drains)...
Chloesmom, key to remember a pillow to cushion the seat belt on the trip home.
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Got my seat belt pillow already packed! Appreciate all the tips!
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Chloesmom, Oh - slip-on shoes made life much simpler... also ones comfy for walking. I walked a lot in the hospital hallways. It made me feel more normal and in control, I think. Make sure that your surgeon authorizes tylenol in case you want a lighter pain medicine. (I had a tough time trying to get Tylenol from the nurses.) Your surgery is Friday? I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. It was not as difficult as I imagined. I hope that you experience the same!
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I didn't get any camis because they would have counted for one of my 2 bras that insurance would pay for every 8 months. DD gave me fleece pj's which were absolutely wonderful. Soft and warm (surgery was Jan/Feb). The PJ's were button front and I wore a webbing belt with the drains pinned to that. I managed to figure out that attaching them to PJ bottoms was a bad idea. My BS told me not to wear a bra and regular camis weren't comfortable. I'm going to put on those fleece pj's soon and go to bed. I have a mx store near and it carries the post surgery cami selection. You could drop by and try them on and decide.
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Got the slip on shoes in my bag. Think I will toss in an old sippy cup from when the kids were little in case the water cups are too big. It would be just like me to pour it in my chest!
Have been so busy at work tying up loose ends that I don't have tie to think about this stuff. Then 3 AM and I'm wide awake and it's all I can think about. The hardest part isn't the surgery (I've had many) but giving up my clients and taking a medical leave from work. The only time I've been off work for more than 2 weeks was 30 years ago when I had my daughter. On the other hand I have been rather consumed with work as not eating well as I need to, socializing, exercising. ... One friend said getting BC was the worst and best thing that happened to her. She got her life in balance and now celebrates every day. I hope I can stay aspositive.
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Chloesmom, you can definitely do this.
It sucks that the BSs do not provide camis in the hospital. I can't believe they are trying to save money that way. It would be nice to get the camis ordered before sx, if possible -- the post-sx ones. Once you're all healed up you're going to want something different. If I were you, I'd wait until then to figure out what you'd like. I wouldn't plan that far ahead.
We have a store here -- they work with insurance -- that orders the sx camis for you. You go there and shop -- they have catalogs too -- and then pick them up after sx. Do you have anything like that?
Piece of advice: Get out of the hospital as soon as possible. Are you staying overnight? I thought I'd stay in, make sure pain was managed and all was well, but that turned out not to be a good idea. You won't really get rest in the hospital. Get onto oral pain meds (off of IV meds) asap, and then get discharged when you can. You'll feel so comfy at home.
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Bobogirl makes a great point - I almost checked out the night of surgery when the nurses wouldn't give me plain Tylenol without doctor's order. I did get sprung early the next day after 1 night (scheduled to stay 2 nights). It was so comforting to be home! If you don't need the IV drugs and can walk without assistance, they will let you go. I had to see the surgeon's assistant and PT first. PT was befuddling for me because she described all the exercises to do but told me that I couldn't do them yet... The handout was worthwhile. They set up VNA as well. If you have someone to bring you food at home, that's much nicer as well! Best.
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Daisylover (hey neighbor!) and Bobogirl have good advice.. I agree with them and get the heck out of the hospital as soon as you can... much more comfortable to heal at home in my opinion.
Oh, and let us know how you are doing, we will be wondering how you got on!!
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Nurses cannot give you anything w/o a doctor's order. Not Tylenol. Not Tums. Not nothing. Just FYI.0 -
I stayed overnight but only because my surgery was very late. I think I got to a room at 8pm. Left the next morning after breakfast. Agree that home is best.
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My mastectomy was outpatient. My surgeon left it up to me if I wanted to stay after the surgery. She put it like this ... "well, what would you rather do...be in the hospital and have the nurse call me if there's a problem, or go home and call me yourself". I was the first surgery of the day, and was home by 1:30 in the afternoon!
Like everyone has said, the surgery isn't as bad as we work it up to be in our heads. Not sure if anyone mentioned it, but if you'd had many surgeries I am sure you're aware what the anesthesia does to our gastro system. Make sure to keep it all moving!
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Warm prune juice mixed with apple juice. Stool softeners.0 -
in the bag chloesmom.
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In the bag for Chloesmom & GmaFoley.0 -
I the bag for chloesmom, hoping she feels up to posting in a few days and sending her (((hugs))) gentle of course.
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Chloesmom has already posted on "I look for flat chested women a rant" & the Dec 2014 threads, she's doing really well! Woo Hoo!
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Hooray, Chloe's mom! You are a rock star!
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I reply to myself. Freaking out a little bit because I am in the countdown. Calm exterior. I'm scrubbing myself with the before-surgery soap, and I've had the call with my sx time, and I have post-traumatic stress disorder, so it just throws me into hyper-overdrive. Last yoga today. I was just starting to feel better, and now I'm scared of how bad I'm going to feel -- again, for the sixth time -- after this sx. They want four weeks of no gym, and last time I couldn't even go to yoga and sit while others practiced, because my legs were so swollen and misshapen that I could not bend my legs into lotus pose. Sorry for the rant. Trying to focus on the fact that this is the last one (if there are no disasters), but I fear pain.
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This is the LAST one, Bobo!! Make that your mantra. You are holding D, right? It sucks that just as you are feeling better and ready to do yoga and gym, you get slapped back again. But this is the last time. You'll be back at yoga by my birthday! **snicker* now you wonder when that is,,,,, **distraction**0 -
I second holding. You can still do yoga breathes and maybe sit on a block. My bc yoga has all kinds of adaptations. Yes concentrate on this being your last one.
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Hugs and good wishes for uneventful sx and recovery.
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Z, I'm obviously not going to hold D in advance of the sx! Hard to know what to do really. Thanks Wren.
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When is the sx, Bobo? I'm sure we can distract you if you let us. We are all chanting "Last Time, Last Time!" for you. Or maybe you can switch between last time and snippy and proud. That should make you smile once and awhile.
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As long as you have D for post op!!!Last time! Last time! Last time!
Snippy and proud!!
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Sx at 8:50. Call time 7:45! I thought it was going to be 6:45. I am glad (tentatively) that there is only an hour between arrival and surgery... hoping it goes smoothly. All chants accepted.
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