Well Hello!!!!

Hi Georginamary,

What a fantastic idea!!! I'm very lucky to have some wonderfully crafty family members who I'm sure would be able to whip one of these up for me!!  And thank you for including the DVD folder to give me an indication size wise as well.

I think I'll have to have a word to my breastcare nurse and see if she has these or something similar and if not might have to put these on my to-do list ;-).

Thanks again as I never would have thought of anything like this for myself.

Hi Christine,

Thanks for the hint about the pj's and shawl to hide the drain bottle bag.

I will certainly take that one on board as I don't want to feel uncomfortable or have my visitors feel uncomfortable when they visit.

Thanks for the wishes.

Hi Michelle,

Thanks for the advice about the large ring binder and plastic sleeves for the various types of paperwork, I can certainly see that being incredibly handy.

I am trying to get everything sorted before the pace picks up and have a word document on my computer that I am adding all of the tips and items to that I will need and rely on in the coming weeks and months.

I have been very lucky and have already received my My Journey Kit and have read it from cover to cover. It made for interesting reading during the 2am insomnia patches for the first few days after being diagnosed. I am now very happily sleeping like a log.

Thanks for your message and wishes and I like that your 4 years post surgery and doing well. ;-)

Hi Brissiegal,

Appreciate the tips re pj's and sorbolene cream and bra and have noted them on my ever growing list ;-).

Will definitely book in for the Look Good session and it's great to hear that it is worthwhile going to it.

I hope that you are doing fantastically well for your one year anniversary.

Thanks again and nice to meet you.

Hi, Socoda,

i suggest that you beg, borrow steal or make yourself a soft cotton bag similar to the one in the photograph.  I included DVD to give you a size reference.  I was given this by my breastcare nurse here in Melbourne.  You use it to hold your drain bag.  I left my bag in it all of the time, even under the sheets.  When going to the loo or going for a walk around the hospital corridors, all you have to do is sling it over your should, and tuck excess tubing into it.  The strap is adjustable, tying on at one end.  I HIGHLY recommend taking one of these in with you!

Hi

I suggest a nice pair of pjs and a shawl so you can hide your drain bottle bag and you don’t feel so obvious when visitors come. 

Wishing you well with surgery . Take care from Christine xx 

Hi Cath,

Welcome to the best support on the web - there is a wealth of info here.  Have you ordered your My Journey kit yet?  It is  invaluable on all aspects of this roller coaster.

As you sound a well-organised person, my advice is to buy a large ring binder and plastic sleeves and keep copies of everything - appointments, medical accounts/receipts, chemo regimes, all pathology reports, etc.  As things speed up treatment-wise it really helps to keep things sorted and under control. It isn't easy later as things can pile up.

I am an 'oldie' now - which means 4 years post surgery and doing well - so anything you would like to know will try to help with, as will all the wonderful women on this site.

Take this time to prepare.  Life is about to get very busy!  Best wishes and a big hug.  xxx Michelle

Hi Socoda 

Welcome 

I had my Mastectomy in May last year and what a year it's been.

A few things I'd suggest from My experience.

Get a nice pair of pjs for hospital 

I used Sorbelene cream to moisturise my arm and chest , just cheap home brand is ok. I had a big pump bottle and a small tube for my handbag.

If you can , go to the Look good feel great session as soon as you can it's invaluable 

Ask questions if you don't understand what people are talking about.

And good luck