Will I Need Help After Bilateral Mastectomy?

Hi,
These are things that help.
Button up pj's pull on pants, button or zip on shirts slip on shoes.
Wedge pillows or alot of pillows to prop yourself up.
You can't reach or lift arms overhead for awhile. No driving at first. Some say after drains are out, one to two weeks. Some hoodies have inner pockets to hold drains.
Put plates cups at low level with in easy reach.
Make your food ahead of time if you can. Freeze some.
Get some wet wipe cloths. Showering isnt usually allowed at first.
Ask your cancer team any questions and ask them what you need.
Thinking of you and sending hugs.
They want you to move around some each day.
Once healed I had physical therapy to keep range of motion with shoulders. They should tell you about that.

I got a list from the surgeon. Everything said by @dolphina3 is so helpful. I would even go as far as recommending paper plates initially. I had to sleep sitting up. If that’s your case, you need to prepare a spot. A chair or couch—bed was not recommended until drains were removed. Clean your house very well before because, no house work. You cannot lift your arms above your head even for a while after the drains are removed. Showering wasn’t allowed for I think 48 hours but I was able to wash my lower body. I concocted a garbage bag to cover the surgical area but had holes for my arms. They will tell you how to care for the incisions—pretty much just letting the water run once you can bathe and the surgi-strips will come off by themselves. I was even told what body wash to use. I put a temporary seat in the shower for safety and to ensure that I didn’t go too far with my arms. When I was able to wash my hair I kept my elbows at shoulder height and was lucky enough to have a handheld but I did have a friend who washed it in the kitchen sink for me at first. She could also blow dry it. I know it may not seem so critical but your hair and nails will make you feel better. I wasn’t in a lot of pain but I did have medication and did have to get up even through the night to walk around. You might have compression socks initially. My husband “walked” me but eventually he would be still asleep when the timer went off so I made sure I held on to things. You might need help emptying the drains and they weren’t as bad as I expected but you do have to log the amount of wound fluid. I wore my light robe and put the drains in the pockets. Whatever food you prepare ahead of time, think about how you will be able to heat it—having your daughter for 3 days will be helpful, I felt a little more independent by then. (Take out is nice too…)
You will have to sleep with a bra for quite a while and you will want to. You come home with one but the nurse showed me ones to get online. The first week is clumsiest. After that, just be careful and mindful. There will be exercises.
Once you are cleared to be out and about, it’s really strange because you can’t pull open doors at stores, you can push but not pull. I found myself waiting for someone to come out so I could go in and don’t be shy about asking someone to hold the door.
It was springtime for me and I could go in the water up to my waist and no hot tub—none of that was an issue!
Do well. This part is for a few weeks. Wishing you well through this journey.

I needed help the first day or two showering and emptying my drains. If you daughter who works can help you it’s those things at first that would be great. If you set yourself up to be able to get food and dishes that you can reach at waste level that would be great. I moved plates and cups down so I didn’t have to reach up and was able to fend for myself although my husband did help. If you have a friend that could help the first couple weeks that would be great. I learned how to empty my own drains which they show you in the hospital and it is fairly easy and they come out pretty quickly which then makes it easier. You have to measure the fluid that you have coming out so they can determine when to take them out. So you need a little notebook or paper to record and show your doctor. Get a bra at soma that can hold the drains and or a sweatshirt with inside pockets to put them in. Also get a shower holder for them. They are cheap and on Amazon. Also I found having a mastectomy pillow so nice. I could sit with it across my front and it held my phone in a front pocket. I think you will be ok as long as you have what you need at your fingertips. I had no pain at all since they gave me a long lasting nerve block. Best wishes. If you have further questions I am happy to answer them. Hope this helps.

Thank you everyone for the suggestions. I think everything will be ok and will get through it. My granddaughter may still be able to come she is waiting to see what the Orthopaedic doctor tells her about the baby in 2 weeks.

@srobinet
Lots of helpful advices are already posted so I won’t bother you with more. I just want to wish you a speedy recovery and hope you will feel a sense of relief like me when I woke up after the surgery (despite the pain since I didn’t have nerve blocking). It’s a nice feeling knowing you’ve won’t have to worry about cancer anymore or at least for a long time. And yes, no more bras! Hugs.

@dolphina3 Hello

So sorry about your daughter’s fall and collarbone break. I feel very badly that she is experiencing the difficulty of the collarbone break (and you a facing the bilateral major breast surgery.

I can imagine anticipating the surgery and recovery is stressful.

Have you considered requesting that your MD refer you to VISITING NURSE program in your area? The visiting nurses will visit you at home and check drains, pain medication , any arm swelling, and your healing , comfort and recovery and manage any issues.

Your MD should be able to schedule at home, post discharge Occupational Therapy or Physical Therapy in order to plan arm exercises and monitor your progress and range of motion and mobility as we as placement of water, medication near your bed, etc. They will be able to appropriately guide you on Walking and Movement which are important for your health and recovery .

Have you considered any hospital Stress Management sessions with a MD, PhD or MSW in order that you able to comfortably cope with any stress.

If you are interested, You Tube offers FREE Stress Guided Imagery videos with music that are calming and soothing.

Best wishes for your recovery. .

Susan

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@smith777 Thank you for your suggestions. It was my great granddaughter 18 months who broke her collarbone. I'm hoping that her mom can still come and bring her along. If not I will manage. My daughter will help on her days off and at night and my sister on the weekend if needed.

Hi, the only thing I can suggest is to go from room to room, closets and cabinets and take out items you will need and place them at a safe reach level. Tops/shirts that button or zip make it easier. You will have restrictions on lifting . No lifting pets, granddaughter or a gallon of milk. Sending best wishes to you for a safe and successful surgery. May your surgeon and medical care team be skilled and compassionate. You may have a flood of different emotions. Be kind and gentle with yourself. Do not overdo. Allow your body time to heal. Give yourself grace. Best wishes 💕

@srobinet Hi

Very sorry about your granddaughter’s broken collarbone. That seems like it was challenging and stressful for her. I had recently slipped on ice following a major snowstorm and fractured my knee. I know how difficult coping with a fracture is for your granddaughter and your family. Your own surgery seems stressful, as well.

Very glad to hear that your daughter will be assisting you.

What do you think of Visiting Nurse or the hospital providing a home / medical as a back up and added support to you following the surgery and your daughter is working and may be tired from work and her own home responsibilities ? ••• Health Insurance should cover the Home Aide if your hospital and MD order the home aid for your post surgery care and assistance.

Added option-
The Visiting Nurse or a hospital arranged medical- Home Aide would be able to assist you and check on surgery drainage, mobility, general health , food shopping and preparation, helping you with bathroom or sponge baths etc while you are recuperating and while your ••daughter is at work , dealing with her home responsibilities or your daughter is resting or sleeping. following your surgery .

It seems like your family is wonderful and will be very supportive of you.

Best for yourrecovery!

@smith777 Thank you I will mention the home health nurse at my pre-op visit next week. I think I will be ok. I'm going to just take one day at a time and see how it goes.