Hospital shopping list

I will start with what Kath suggested above ... let start packing

Something that has not been mention so far, buy I found them very useful

A gorgeous small light shoulder bag (30cm X 40cm - fabric): use for storing your drain after surgery.  Allows you to be elegantly mobile as you get better.  I.e. grab a coffee at the cafe with your love one, a walk outside for fresh air.  Cover the bag with a pretty hanky so you don't see the drain at all.

2 x your favourite Colourful scarfs - a shoulder wrap & a light scarf:  looks great wtih plain PJ & keep you warm.  Good for thoes shy days when you have visitors at the hospital.  (dark colour is a no no .. the brighter the better.  colours/messy print scarf draws attension to the scarf.

iPod - music soothes the mind.

A "Yoko" Kimmidoll - keep you positive

 

Hi Julie

The 3 things I suggest packing for hospital are your:

1. Optimism

2. Sense of Humour

3. Button up front PJ's

Don't worry about anything else as you will be bandaged after surgery.   A Breast Care Nurse will/should visit you in hospital a day or two after surgery, explain how it all works and give you a free sample Mastectomy Bra from Berlei as well as an insert.

I will be thinking of you on Wednesday Julie, and  wish you well.

Kath P x

HI Julie

Welcome to this wonderful band of women.  I too had surgery within a week of diagnosis - it was all a bit dreamlike.  Ask as many questions as you can over the coming weeks and months - we are all here to support each other.

I don't have much to add.  I used the Berlie Bra - I had a skin sparing mastectomy with expander so my surgeon wanted me in a bra to hold everything in place.  Button up pjs and button up shirts for a couple of weeks.  

Are you having axilla surgery too?  I found it quite difficult to lift shirts over my head for about 3 weeks but this was because of my arm more than my breast so would have found a crop top difficult.  I got one free bra and bought another two.  I still wear them as they are very comfortable.

 A friend bought be a little bed jacket which was quit helpful too - not as heavy as a gown and perfect for lounging in.  I found Susan had quite nice button up pj's - i had the longer ones and was still fine with the stockings.

You are doing well to be reading the guides.  I could't bear to open them for about 5 days!  Then I found them very helpful and they all still sit beside my bed.  

I wish you the very best for your surgery and please - fire any questions our way.  You may find looking through some of the blogs helpful to see what questions others have asked and what experiences they've had. 

Amanda xx

HI Julie

Welcome to this wonderful band of women.  I too had surgery within a week of diagnosis - it was all a bit dreamlike.  Ask as many questions as you can over the coming weeks and months - we are all here to support each other.

I don't have much to add.  I used the Berlie Bra - I had a skin sparing mastectomy with expander so my surgeon wanted me in a bra to hold everything in place.  Button up pjs and button up shirts for a couple of weeks.  

Are you having axilla surgery too?  I found it quite difficult to lift shirts over my head for about 3 weeks but this was because of my arm more than my breast so would have found a crop top difficult.  I got one free bra and bought another two.  I still wear them as they are very comfortable.

 A friend bought be a little bed jacket which was quit helpful too - not as heavy as a gown and perfect for lounging in.  I found Susan had quite nice button up pj's - i had the longer ones and was still fine with the stockings.

You are doing well to be reading the guides.  I could't bear to open them for about 5 days!  Then I found them very helpful and they all still sit beside my bed.  

I wish you the very best for your surgery and please - fire any questions our way.  You may find looking through some of the blogs helpful to see what questions others have asked and what experiences they've had. 

Amanda xx

Thanks Rachel,

The lovely lady at Myers showed me the Berlie bra that you referred to. Of course, they didn't have it in my size. I now have a better understanding on what I will need and good advice on the shorts - thanks.

Cheers

Julie

 

Hi Ann-Marie,

Thanks for your reply to my post, your advise and information. I was on the right track with what I though I would need and the lovely people, yourself included that have replied have confirmed it.

Cheers

Julie

Thanks Sam for the advice and for the words of encouragement. You are so right about the emotions and why do you loose control in public. I'm OK at home, most of the time, but it doesn't take too much to trigger when you are out. I love shopping, but I must admit it has just brought me to tears in the last couple of days. 

I'm assuming I will be "assigned"a breast care nurse soon (all will be revealed when I see the surgeon tomorrow). I have registered for My Journey Kit and I'm eagerly waiting it's arrival. I'm slowly making my way through the Guide for women with Early Breast Cancer". What a fantastic publication. So much to take in, which as you know is very difficult at the moment, as the brain is really not engaging at all.

Regards

Julie

Hi Julie....firstly welcome to this wonderful world of support and love (sorry u had to tho)..now, shopping- My advice is button up PJ tops or oversized shirts (still button up front) and as for bras- then u can get front opening soft bras ( i got some thru the local hospital - they had a person who would fit u for mastectomy bras) maybe check with them or ur breast care nurse where u can source these from locally...U should also get "MY Journey Kit" & "My Care Kit" from the BCNA, again check with ur Breast Care nurse as she orders the Care KIt for you-it will have a soft form prosthesis and a bra included. Don't be in too much of a hurry to wear anything other than a shirt (at least for the 1st week or so) u may have drainage tubes and bandages covering wounds-the less 'extra' clothing the better--just as long as ur comfy, thats the most important thing  :)

Now, onto other business :)  Please feel free to come here as often as u wish as u navigate ur way around this detour life has thrown u- u may feel a whole range of emotions and feeling (many in the same day!!!) and everyone here truly knows what ur going thru and can (& will) offer a sincere shoulder, helpful advice and first hand understanding...

Have fun shopping, good luck for ur surgery, keep us posted 

Sam  :)