Tips for Hospital
Hi everyone. I am heading to Perth (live regionally) in a week for double mastectomy and stage one of reconstruction (lat dorsi and tissue expanders inserted). I won't have the luxury of anyone 'poppi...
Forum Discussion
Dear Hoe_8,
Your profile doesn't tell us much about your Cancer and treatment.
Have you had radiotherapy? Is that why you are having a Lat Dorsi?
4 weeks ago I had a prophylactic L Mastectomy and a R Lat Dorsi( following Mastectomy with Axillary clearance, Chemo and Radiotherapy) So not the same but some similarity. On both sides I had tissue expanders. I was in hospital for 8 nights
On the Lat Dorsi side, I had 4 wound drains. ( plus 2 drains on other side)
My discharge from hospital was based on the drains slowing to finishing drainage. Last one out on the 8th day.
I was told to expect a seroma, on the LD side. I have had it drained twice since discharge, possibly more to come.
Have you been told something similar? Will you be returning to Perth for weekly Post op appts?
I haven't found it very painful.The difficulty in hospital mostly related to getting in and out of bed with my 6 drainage containers. Some hospitals have special bags, for carrying them. If not pillowcases will do. I used a strong shopping bag with handles that were easy to grab on one side, pillow case on the other side. When walking around I put one bag into the other. I don't know if this makes sense. My friend said she used a dressing gown with large pockets, but she may have had less drains.
I took a warm dressing gown and a light weight one. I get lots of hot flushes and never know what I want.
In hospital I always put near me what I wanted most. ie Battery operated fan, Kindle, Phone, lip balm, Paper and pen.
I took my own pillow. I also took some snacks, including homemade Anzacs.
My surgeon wanted me to wear a supportive crop top or post op bra in hospital. You may need to buy something like this for hospital or after discharge.
Do you have any more Cancer treatment to have? If so do you have any income protection insurance?
Possibly in your Superannuation.
All the best. I truly hope your surgery and stay in hospital all goes smoothly.
Your profile doesn't tell us much about your Cancer and treatment.
Have you had radiotherapy? Is that why you are having a Lat Dorsi?
4 weeks ago I had a prophylactic L Mastectomy and a R Lat Dorsi( following Mastectomy with Axillary clearance, Chemo and Radiotherapy) So not the same but some similarity. On both sides I had tissue expanders. I was in hospital for 8 nights
On the Lat Dorsi side, I had 4 wound drains. ( plus 2 drains on other side)
My discharge from hospital was based on the drains slowing to finishing drainage. Last one out on the 8th day.
I was told to expect a seroma, on the LD side. I have had it drained twice since discharge, possibly more to come.
Have you been told something similar? Will you be returning to Perth for weekly Post op appts?
I haven't found it very painful.The difficulty in hospital mostly related to getting in and out of bed with my 6 drainage containers. Some hospitals have special bags, for carrying them. If not pillowcases will do. I used a strong shopping bag with handles that were easy to grab on one side, pillow case on the other side. When walking around I put one bag into the other. I don't know if this makes sense. My friend said she used a dressing gown with large pockets, but she may have had less drains.
I took a warm dressing gown and a light weight one. I get lots of hot flushes and never know what I want.
In hospital I always put near me what I wanted most. ie Battery operated fan, Kindle, Phone, lip balm, Paper and pen.
I took my own pillow. I also took some snacks, including homemade Anzacs.
My surgeon wanted me to wear a supportive crop top or post op bra in hospital. You may need to buy something like this for hospital or after discharge.
Do you have any more Cancer treatment to have? If so do you have any income protection insurance?
Possibly in your Superannuation.
All the best. I truly hope your surgery and stay in hospital all goes smoothly.