New To BCNA
Hello Everyone,
My name is Gavin and my wife (Karen) was recently advised
she had BC (March 9th), I’ve been a rock for her and our two kids at
home (we’re in our 50’s) and have advised my girls li...
Forum Discussion
How terrific that chatting with the WA Breast Care team has relieved Karen of some of her worries and anxiety.
That is terrific you are able to take time off to be with Karen too.
Make sure (as @kitkatb says) that Karen has a small supportive pillow, hopefully given the day she arrives at the hospital - I wasn't given one, but had one from previous shoulder surgery that worked just as well. I found that once the anaesthetic had worn off, my arm didn't like being 'by my side on the bed' - and the pillow under the arm lifts it up to mid chest height, which was perfect. Eventually, when I was able to roll onto my side, I put the pillow on the other side to control the 'angle'. And it does come in very handy for the trip home, re bumps, which can be really painful in the first week. I ended up just 'holding my boob' every time I went over known bumps in the car to stop the 'bounce', driving around town .... and I always remembered where 'new ones were' that prior to my surgery, I had never noticed. That discomfort lasted a few weeks.
I also had a lumpectomy/sentinel node/breast conserving surgery with immediate 'tidying up' and now 15 months later, my scarring is negligible. I was given some basic pain care tabs & encourage her to take them for at least a week after the surgery, to minimise pain. If she is in pain, she won't sleep well & it can set back recuperation.
I found these ear plugs to be the best and still use them ..... just squish half of it down to the thickness of a pencil - and shove them in as far as you can - and they take the shape of your internal ear & are brilliant! Easy to fit & you don't even know you are wearing them - no discomfort.
Re the DVT - I was fitted with a pair of 'blow up leg pressure' thingies that I assume were to prevent DVT? Maybe advise the Medical Clerk/Nurses/Matron specifically about it when she is admitted.
Take care xx
(The meds need to be in the original boxes showing her name etc .... they don't like loose tablets just for the night!)
That is terrific you are able to take time off to be with Karen too.
Make sure (as @kitkatb says) that Karen has a small supportive pillow, hopefully given the day she arrives at the hospital - I wasn't given one, but had one from previous shoulder surgery that worked just as well. I found that once the anaesthetic had worn off, my arm didn't like being 'by my side on the bed' - and the pillow under the arm lifts it up to mid chest height, which was perfect. Eventually, when I was able to roll onto my side, I put the pillow on the other side to control the 'angle'. And it does come in very handy for the trip home, re bumps, which can be really painful in the first week. I ended up just 'holding my boob' every time I went over known bumps in the car to stop the 'bounce', driving around town .... and I always remembered where 'new ones were' that prior to my surgery, I had never noticed. That discomfort lasted a few weeks.
I also had a lumpectomy/sentinel node/breast conserving surgery with immediate 'tidying up' and now 15 months later, my scarring is negligible. I was given some basic pain care tabs & encourage her to take them for at least a week after the surgery, to minimise pain. If she is in pain, she won't sleep well & it can set back recuperation.
I found these ear plugs to be the best and still use them ..... just squish half of it down to the thickness of a pencil - and shove them in as far as you can - and they take the shape of your internal ear & are brilliant! Easy to fit & you don't even know you are wearing them - no discomfort.
Re the DVT - I was fitted with a pair of 'blow up leg pressure' thingies that I assume were to prevent DVT? Maybe advise the Medical Clerk/Nurses/Matron specifically about it when she is admitted.
Take care xx
(The meds need to be in the original boxes showing her name etc .... they don't like loose tablets just for the night!)