Helpful Tips

For most of us, surgery and hospital stays are foreign territory. We have prepared a list of items and activities that you may want to consider and implement before your surgery. We also encourage you to contact the Breast Cancer Resource Center, 1–800–309–0089, a centralized source of invaluable information and support.

Prepare the room in your home where you will be recovering.

Set up your bedside with the essentials handy:

Pitcher and glass for water
Walkie-talkie for communication with caretaker
TV remote
Reading and relaxation materials
Telephone and doctor’s numbers
Flashlight with fresh batteries
Snacks
Tissues
Hand lotion

Other considerations:

Night light for pathway to bathroom and in bathroom
Waterproof stool so you may sit in the shower
Post-surgical bra, soft, front-fastening, no under-wire

Sleep in a recliner:
Many women find a recliner comfortable for post-surgery sleeping, especially with Tram Flap or Latissimus Dorsi Flap reconstruction.

In addition to the practical items listed above, to buoy your spirits:

Consider a new bedspread or sheets
Keep pictures of family and friends nearby

Prepare your caretakers.

Set up a schedule of caretakers for in the hospital and home
Have a list of your personal requests for care in the hospital
Schedule food delivery by family, friends, church members for at least the first two weeks you are home after surgery
Schedule friends and family to assist with your children’s transportation, entertainment, home routine and activities
Your closest loved ones may need some support as well, and the BCRC is glad to talk with them

Appoint a friend as your director of volunteers:
Supply her with your family and friends' phone numbers and e-mail addresses and ask her to assist you in scheduling your visits and care. The BCRC has a great task list that can help with this immensely.

Appoint a friend as your mass communicator:
Designate someone as the mass communicator to e-mail your friends and family with bi-weekly updates so that you can focus on rest.

Prepare your body for surgery.

Ask your doctors about taking preparatory herbs and vitamins to reduce bruising (Arnica Montana), to aid in the healing process (Vitamin C), to help reduce swelling (Bromelain, fresh pineapple), to help boost immunity (multi-vitamins) and post-surgical herbs (St. John’s Wort)
Ask your doctor about exercise and rehabilitation prior to and after surgery
Consider Shiatsu Massage before and after surgery. Be sure to discuss with your surgeon before treatment.
Ask your doctor about oils to aid the healing of incisions and scars (St. John’s oil, Scargo) and when you may begin using them

Talk to your medical team.
It’s a good idea to get to know the members of your medical team:

Make an appointment with your anesthesiologist and discuss your personal and family anesthetic history, complications, sensitivities, etc.
Ask your surgeon if you will have post-surgical drains. If so, consider the Assistwear™ Transition Gown for dealing with the inconvenience these drains present. They look like scrubs with inside pockets for the drains.

Consider listening to an audio tape during your surgery.
Bernie Siegal, in Love, Medicine and Miracles, suggests playing spiritual messages, healing concepts or music to help activate your subconscious’s ability to heal. Get this approved by your surgeon(s) and anesthesiologist.

Hospital Check List:

Assistwear™ Transition Gown
Robe (big, roomy sleeves)
Slippers (that you can slide into, not have to pull on)
No-slip socks
Personal pillow (a couple of baby pillows are nice for pressure points)
Notebook or guest register for visitors to sign and for personal notes
Sleep mask to cover your eyes
Aromatherapy
Personal portable stereo and music, book tapes, meditation tapes
Room deodorizer spray
Makeup
Hair brush, comb
Dry spray hair cleaner
Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
Soft tissues
Camera
Relaxation materials: books, magazines, etc.
TV Guide
Lip balm (something like Blistex or Carmex that is healing and soothing)
Hat, cap, hair ties
Shower cap
Moisturizing body wash
Massage oil or body lotion
Posters, photos, etc. to create your own healing focal point
Oils for scars
Breath mints or mouth rinse
Personal fan
Eyeglasses