So pleased to find some older women here, just diagnosed

Yes, @kamada - the waiting for everything is the 'worst'! And clutching the pillow to your chest as you are driven home is great advice, as a shock absorber!  Also, being VERY aware of any 'rough roads' when you ARE allowed to drive again - I used to clutch my boob in known 'pot hole areas' to minimise pain from bouncing for some 4 weeks after surgery.

Using a small pillow to elevate the 'affected arm' (if you sleep on your side) can also assist in getting to sleep, as sleeping on your tummy is usually restricted for some time post op!

Hello @Pip47 and welcome! My surgeon told me to wear a post op bra day and night for at least the first five days after surgery to aid healing. I bought a Berlei Y130W post op bra and found it really supportive in the first week or so especially in the car. I have some target wireless soft bras that are fine now that I am further along with the healing. Good luck with the op - I found it very easy.  I didn’t even need pain killers afterwards. As everyone here says it is waiting for those definitive pathology results that is the hardest bit. I kept saying that nothing I did or felt was going to make any difference to what they would be and telling myself that they have very effective treatments for all scenarios now. It did help most of the time. I also look forward to hearing that you are doing well - we 47ers have to stick together! As for your added details @arpie I had a good giggle. I can just picture it happening! 😂

haha, @kamada - the funniest bit was that I kept trying to get off whilst the machine was still high up in the sky (to get the machine underneath to access  my boob!)  They threatened to put a seat belt on me (cos I would 'slide off' face down, feeling for the floor with my feet, rather than trying to sit up & spin round - cos my arthritis made that difficult!)

We also have a couple of humorous posts here, that will give you a giggle - feel free to add to them with anything that tickles your fancy!

You will find many 'silly situations' that you get into like this that will bring a smile to your face now & then!

All the best for your surgery on Tues, @Pip47 - I wore my bra to bed for the first couple of nights, as 'wound protection' as much as anything else!   Here's a few things to consider taking with you to hospital - the ear plugs & eye mask were essential as hospitals are full of lights & very noisy, even at night!

Comfort in bed - if still cold

• Fluffy blanket or wrap or large cotton scarf to keep your shoulders warm
• Favourite pillow or triangle pillow - great to support the affected arm
• Ear plugs to block out noise and eye mask to block out lights

Clothing

• Zip front jacket or track suit
• Easy to slip on shoes or slippers
• Light dressing gown & Button up PJ's/night dress
• Loose comfy pants trousers - easy to put on the next day.

Toiletries

• Facial wipes to freshen up without a shower
• Dry shampoo is great until you can have a shower and wash your hair
• Lip balm for dry lips in air conditioning
• Nice body wash or soap and moisturizer
• Small manicure kit and small mirror

Food and drinks

• Medications you are currently taking in their original packaging
• Drink bottle with a sipper top (easier than cup and straw)
• Snacks for in between meals
• Your preferred tea bags/coffe etc

Entertainment

• Note pad or diary and pen to record your experiences
• A kindle or magazines/puzzles
• IPad/iPod with music, movies and games (don't forget earphones and chargers)
• Phone (charger and extension cord so can reach if on charge)
• Meditation app on phone

I am also 72 I'm up for surgery on Tuesday no-one has mentioned wearing a bra to bed, I am rather heavy and I can see the purpose of it. I know it is only panic rising at the moment as I have been madly searching for, how wide is a clear margin and it was 2mm now my mind is running free with senarios. Good to hear your doing so well looking forward to being the same.

Thank you ladies! @arpie I also had a smile at your description of your radiation pose because I immediately had a mental picture of me in that pose 😳 - I could be described as well endowed! 😂 It looks like it is a personal preference as to how long to wear the bra so I will go with that. I suspect I will end up like @Anne65 and @youngdogmum - I’m enjoying the comfort and not missing wires etc one little bit. This warm welcoming community that reaches out to
help others while dealing with their own illness really demonstrates the best side of human nature - you are all pretty special people. ❤️

I'm still only wearing my Berlei bras 😂😂 my poor husband. LOL. I bought their surgery sports bras too!

@kamada  I have copied this text from the BCNA website about the berlei post op bra:    It is designed to cover the post surgery period of up to 12 weeks and can be worn during radiation treatment. 
I had a lumpectomy in Dec '17 & my scar is right under my boob. My surgeon also took some tissue from below my breast to fill in my gap so the area under my boob is still a little sensitive. This is why I still wear my post op bra as it is sooooo comfortable. As i have always been small breasted, i usually get away with crop tops at home which are also very comfortable but I still use the berlei post op bra when I need to. 
Good luck & take one step at a time. You will have many friends here that have been through it all so you will always be supported by those of us who have 'walked before you'. Love to you xx

All options will be presented to you after the surgeon and a few oncology doctors have gotten together to figure out what is the most suitable treatment to go on with. It's not just the decision of one or two, there are usually specialists from neighboring treatment areas as well. It is your choice in the end.

Dear @kamada, I wore my Target no wire bra day and night for about six weeks. These days (2 years post-op) I don't wear  a bra at all at home. @arpie, hope you don't mind; I got a chuckle out of your personalised radiotherapy treatment! 

I wore mine for a couple of days then switched (when I had to wear something) to a Kmart AhBra knockoff.