Post mastectomy supplies: What would you add to the list?

I'm not sure the anxiety ever goes away! Prayers and good thoughts are with you both

Oh yeah, the coming weekend is no cancer, no diet, no kids, and no dogs. Just us.

I'm with you @bcwarrior. I never had a pink shirt before my cancer in '21 and I sstill don't. I did not receive flowers, but friends sent books to read, cards throughout my treatment. I kept family and friends updated with all that went on. All my decision!
Enjoy your weekend, leave all the cancer reminders for later.

My daughter sent me a soft velvety mastectomy pillow from Amazon ( 19.00) it is a lovely aqua color and it was the most comfortable for sleeping semi reclined on my back for the first few weeks. It also has insider pockets for drains… never used that feature ( I kept them close to my body) and an outer pocket where I kept my pain reliever, glasses and iPhone so they were always handy, especially when I woke in the night. She will need an easy to reach water source… I used a low beside table and a 16 oz aluminum water bottle with sip top. Also a phone charger in easy reach.

I purchased a hand held shower attachment… and a waterproof cape .. sat on a shower chair and my spouse was able to wash my hair. Another good alternative is setting up shampoo appointments with local trusted hairdresser as needed.

Walking several times daily is extremely beneficial. I misunderstood what that meant and walked a mile in my local park on day 2! It felt great but I was exhausted the next day. My check in nurse was impressed but suggested walking around the house several times a day for the first week or up to a quarter mile if outside.

Placing typically used items in kitchen and bathroom at counter/sink level for the recovery period is essential. After surgery returning to self sufficiency as quickly as possible is typically desired. No one wants to have to constantly ask for help… but we appreciate it being there for the emotional support and the less routine or big ticket needs ( like help with the drain maintenance at first). I appreciated help with that and early meal preparations.

Driving: even driving over a manhole cover under the passenger side can be excruciating at first. I used a car pillow for seat belt comfort but also supported my chest manually for bumps and cracked in the road. Took a few weeks.

Have extra strength Tylenol and Advil types of OTC pain relievers on hand. I only took narcotic Rx night one ( same day unilateral surgery) and moved on to the extra strength Tylenol … then onto 600 mg Advil on day 4 ( when bleeding would not be an issue). I have a pretty high tolerance for pain but I was never really uncomfortable with my regimen. I heal better with less meds.

I also purchased soft quilted face cloths … marketed for infant care… which were very useful as washcloths and as mini towels to pat dry the wound area when showering.

I Will keep your wife ( name or pseudonym?) and you in my thoughts as you enter this next phase of your journey. 🌸

I Anjalima, sent you a response but may have landed in a reply to someone else’s post. Please find it if you want a few if my suggestions. Good luck with your pre surgical list!

I am gpigford's wife. I appreciate all the advice everyone has shared even the things that were rough to hear. We have agreed no cancer talk this weekend. Of course I am anxious about surgery on the 16th. Just 1 week away. But I think this weekend needs to be about life and love. He did give me the charm and family cards the other day after my final pre-op visit. I lost my sister to Inflammatory Breast Cancer 19 years ago so and the pink ribbon has always meant something special to me because of what it meant to her during her 2 BC occurances. So I love it. I have done a lot of preparations myself but my husband is the logical thinker in our partnership so it is very much his character to reach out to find what I might need and make sure I have it. I have been reading and processing many posts on different threads, just wasn't ready to post myself. Again I am thankful for this group and the raw honesty all of you have shared. It is nice to know the many thoughts running through both of our heads is just the normal course of dealing with this disease. I have been praying for all of you and would welcome prayers from anyone who wishes. I believe positive vibes is the best way to go into the next phase. I am sure that the waiting for pathology and OncoDX results will be hard as the next phase of treatment final plans depend on those results. Thank you all again .

@npigford, Hi nice to meet you even though it's on this not-so-fun forum. I'm crying because that's what a lot of us do in grateful moments. At least that's when I cry most often. I never really cried thru any appointments or treatments, and I'm feeling grateful for you sharing all of your findings. I thought your surgery was today. I woke up many times last night and prayed for you and your family. I've prayed a dozen times for all of you today. I have a prayer list saved on my PC and added Mr. Pigford and his wife Nancy. I believe if you say the person's name it gives additional healing power. So, many prayers will always be there from me to God's heart for you and your family. I think we married 2 different types of men. My husband is more reactive than proactive. He still to this day wants to do everything for me, I have to remind him I need the exercise. IMO the 10 years of estrogen blockers Arimidex and the Neulsata shots are what made it so difficult for me to walk easily. Disclaimer: all the things I listed on how to prepare are not normal. I had complications (did you see my photos). I have many BC friends that never experienced what I did both times. Adding that to my specific prayers for you! It's none of my business which surgery you choose but please spend a great amount of time researching now while you have the time. YouTube/Snopes and Google I found it helps is just too late for me. Psalm 118:24
The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.
P.S. Sorry I was so tough on your husband I truly just wanted to get him out of the nightmare.

Look BC I did a reaction!! Are you proud of me? LOL, kidding of course. we really do appreciate this forum and all the different people that are on here.

I'm glad @npigford is finely joining in. Now I can Mayoconnect stalk (like Facebook staking) her and she will never know its me because this is all anonymous. LOL, sorry I know it is not really part of the tread I just wanted to add a little laugh with it.

@gpigford Works both ways and you did make me smile. I'm proud of your strength and faith. Keep it going, young man! John 15:11
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.