surgery loomimg

It rather depends on what your surgery is (lumpectomy, mastectomy) - I am assuming a lumpectomy with only one night in hospital. I had a mastectomy and found it all very straight forward. Drains were removed before I went home (with a lumpectomy drains are unlikely), I had no pain, my arm mobility recoved very quickly and I took only one week off work. However.... it all depends on how quickly your body heals (I have always been a quick healer), how you feel emotionally as well as physically and what preparation you may want for further treatment (if any). Leaving yourself time and space to encompass any outcome is always sensible if you can do it. Best wishes.

Button up shirts are a must, and nice comfy lounge pants. I lived in those for two weeks. I also purchased a wedge pillow that can be used one way for up-right sleeping, as the first few nights I found it much more comfortable to be quite upright, and then it could be turned around to be less upright. I think Kmart have one. Also, a little bag to tuck your drains into throughout the day, for when you are moving around. I just had a soft bag across the shoulder bag, like a tote bag. Some fun headbands to cover your (dirty) hair. And one of those little underarm cushions, mine went everywhere with me for quite sometime. Someone to hang your washing for you, and pretty much do everything else for you until you feel up to it.

HI Ann, you are going to need someone to be at your side for 1 week+, you may have difficulty sit up ,move your sides on bed, and ,not able to do any houseworks for a couple weeks. if you dont have someone, you can get social worker to assist, it is very important to ask for help at this stage.

Ann58​ The recovery can be rather varied. Have you got someone at home who will be able to provide support?  e.g. for household chores, lifting things, etc.

Button-up shirts or blouses and zip-up fleeces were my wardrobe for a while as they were easiest to put on when my arm movement was restricted. 

When I went to sleep I positioned pillows on either side of me to try and keep me from rolling around during the night. I did wake a few times rolling a bit on my surgery side but the pillows helped.

Showering was a bit complicated. I skipped it a few days and used baby wipes to give myself a freshen up :)  Washing hair can be tricky if arm movement is restricted so getting someone to help, using dry shampoo, or just letting it be might be options. I was able to awkwardly do it left-handed and it was delightful when my right arm was ready to help again. 

My breast care nurse gave me a booklet of exercises to do after surgery. I did them a few times a day and it was helpful for me to notice the improvements. 

I had the fridge and freezer stocked with foods so I wouldn't have to go to the supermarket. 

I had booked in to see my GP in the gap between surgery and seeing the surgeon. It was helpful to talk to her about how I was feeling and she checked how I was healing (including taking a dressing off that seemed bonded to my skin but she had magic liquid to release the glue!).  

Overall it can be a time to catch up on reading, a bit of tv, relaxing, or sitting outside enjoying the sunshine. Taking it day by day, letting the body heal.