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What I Used (and what I didn’t!) After My Double Mastectomy: Tips for You and/or Gift Ideas for Friends!

Breast Cancer and Mastectomy Gift Care Package Ideas don’t need to be tricky. Today, I’m going to share with you items that I purchased or received from friends that have been sooooo helpful these first few weeks post-surgery. I bought quite a bit of items I thought I would need but never did…..I want to save you some $$$!

If you stopped by for my breast cancer update, you know that I just had a double mastectomy on February 20.

I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer, and the interesting thing is that I am considered zero risk for breast cancer AND I’m negative for the BRAC1 gene! (If you are curious about my decision for the surgery, you can check out the questions I’m most frequently asked about breast cancer right here.)

But, you are here to either shop for yourself OR for a loved one with a breast cancer diagnosis – so let’s shop!

You’ll see the price points on the shopping/gift list are broad. You don’t have to spend a lot to be prepared for this life changing surgery, and neither do your friends!

So whether you are shopping for yourself or for a friend, this list is finance friendly! 🙂

Breast Cancer and Mastectomy Gift Care Package Ideas

In the weeks prior to my mastectomy, I felt as if I were getting ready to have a baby!

Stay with me on this one…..

First, my urge to nest kicked into overdrive, because who knew how long I’d be bedridden?!?!

Over two weekends in January, Copa & I cooked soups & casseroles to stock our freezer. Plus, I wanted to get blog posts ready for the next few months. (I’m a contributor over at The Melrose Family, so cooking & writing posts through May was a big priority!)

Our freezer was stocked, and now tons of websites were telling me about gadgets & gizmos that I HAD to have during breast cancer recovery.

I was truly overwhelmed…..kind of like when you are registering for your baby shower. (Remember those “kneeling mats” to help you bathe your baby in the bathtub?!? Like, who REALLY uses that after the 3rd or 4th bath time?!?!)

What I Used During Mastectomy Recovery

Ahemmmm…I’m still using these items, because I’m not even 3 full weeks post surgery! Everything below is still in rotation.

1) Pajamas that button up the front

Mastectomy and some lumpectomy patients will not be able to lift their arms after surgery. Button up PJ’s make it easy on the caregiver to dress the patient AND the patient will not strain while being dressed. I have 4 pairs to rotate in between clothes washing days. Click here to see what I’m talking about.

If you have a drain (or 4!!!) then button up jammies will make emptying the drains three times each day much, much easier.

The pajama’s aren’t sexy, but when your boobs are gone, sexiness is not on the forefront of one’s mind! Comfort and drain access become priorities those early days after a mastectomy!

2) Chest Buddy

This is a must have for car rides….I can’t stress enough how much this is still helping me. Going to and from post-operative doctor’s appointments is MUCH easier with this cushion. It fastens to any size seatbelt via a strip of velcro. Best of all, you can get the Chest Buddy immediately right here on Amazon! The picture below was taken just TWO WEEKS post surgery! #FightLikeAGirl

3) A hospital bag with clear make up bag containers

This is GENIUS. You will pack for the hospital, but you will not be the one digging through the bag to find specific items prior to your discharge!!!

Clear, zippered bags allow your caregiver to see exactly what is inside, eliminating lots of frustration & saving them time! Plus they are waterproof.

 

I had a new duffle just for this surgery. It is waterproof and can be cleaned with a wet wipe. (Goodbye, hospital germs!) This is the one I have and it comes with those handy-dandy clear bags!

The Double Mastectomy BFFL Bag comes with EVERYTHING a girl having a double mastectomy can need. I used it all….so did my caregivers! (Note: The Chest Buddy, pictured below, is not included in the bundle. This pic was not a staged photo but rather a candid photo when I was less than 12 hours away from my surgery!)

The BFFL Bag even inludes the heart shaped pillows to use under your arms post surgery! (Hey, it hurts like Hades to have your arms rest down by your side!!!) I used these AFTER my Jackson-Pratt drains were removed.

Other items that come in the bundle are……

Socks. A notepad to jot down instructions from the doctor. Lip balm. A Kind Bar for the patient OR the caregiver during long waits. A drain care kit that is worth it’s weight in gold!

4) Big, fleecy socks

You won’t be able to put your own socks on for at least a week. Roomy, cushiony socks like these make it easier on the caregiver to dress you. They have non-slip padding on the bottom, which is really nice for those 3AM restroom visits in the dark when you are navigating Jackson-Pratt drains….just sayin’!

5) Blankets, Scarfs & Hats for Breast Cancer Surgery and Treatment

I am using two ultra soft blankets right now every single day…..my niece made the one in this photo, and the other blanket is solid white and is so cozy when I am relaxing in our den. At first, I thought I would only need them during my hospital stay & recovery. But, now that I will need chemo, I will be rotating these blankets to the chemo treatment sessions. Having two blankets is ideal, too, in case one of the is in the laundry.

Scarfs are great because it can be chilly in the chemo treatment centers!

A sweet friend crocheted this incredible scarf for me….do you see the detail in the stitching?

The loops in the hem are designed after the pink breast cancer ribbon symbol. This scarf will be traveling with me to chemo! She is also making me a hat to wear in case of hair loss….. 🙂

6) Yummy Treats, Purell, Lip Balm, Mugs & Cups

Snacks!

Cancer is super stressful. And, even though I’m still trying to keep the 10 pounds off from last summer’s 12 Week Weightloss Challenge, indulging in sweet treats helps keep an air of normalcy in the house.

A fun new mug for soups and new bottles of Purcell are great to come home to after the hospital.

That new cup is for the endless gallons of water that come with post surgery hydration.

I have this one:

Yes, it says I am a Survivor. That is EXACTLY what I plan to be very soon.

And last but not least, stock up on lots & lots of lip balm. Like, lots. 🙂

7) STRAWS!!!

Wide, smoothie straws to be exact. Here’s why: Lifting a cup to your mouth immediately after a mastectomy is not easy! The straw shortens the distance between your mouth and the cup, which is a biggie when you can’t move your arms very well. We purchased them at Wal-Mart

8) Books & Magazines

Even in this digital age, it has been nice to have media OFF and read a book instead of scrolling through Instagram. Here’s what is on my nightstand:

Breast Cancer Smoothies (Click here to see it) and Big C, Little ta-ta (you can click here for that one!).

And, you know I love that Joel Osteen! Copa bought me my FAVORITE mags and Joel’s latest book,Blessed in the Darkness.

 

8) Meals, Fruit & Flowers

Yes, send your friend of family member some love from across the miles!

Because of the horrible flu outbreak in Central Florida in early February, we were unsure if we could accept meals from others. I needed to be in a germ free environment, and you can carry the flu germs without being symptomatic. Plus, it’s just the two of us at home, so how much help could we need?!?! So, we cooked in bulk and froze dozens of suppers in January. We ate in exclusively the two weeks prior to my surgery.

Let’s just say the flu has dissipated, and we have been so blessed to have neighbors and a few folks drop by with soups and suppers.

Now that Copa is back at work, his evenings are busy with pet care, MY care (I can go to the restroom alone – BIG improvement!) and other routine household tasks. I’m still not able do mundane tasks like emptying the dishwasher, pulling casserole dishes out of the refrigerator, or turn loads of laundry. On doctor appointment days, I literally am back in bed for hours just recuperating!

My amazing husband is doing it all….and then some.

The meals that have been quietly sent to us have been a blessing.

We received gorgeous flowers and fruit, the latter which served as our breakfast for several days.

Here is what I purchased but did not use!

• Shirts with built in drain pockets
• Net lanyard drain holder for showers
• Waist pouch to hold drains

I was really disappointed with the shirt with built in pockets! I wore it once. The fabric was soft but I was expecting a higher quality product for at $60+ purchase! Honestly, I could have purchased a shirt at Target and whipped out my sewing machine…..

Drain Management: At the hospital, they used large safety pins to attach the drains to my bra. I ended up doing this exclusively once I returned home, and hence had no need for garments with built in pockets.

Thanks for stopping by today!

I know this is a departure from my regular tailgate recipes, but I want to make sure as many people as possible know about how easy it is to help a friend going thru cancer. OR, if you are doing this solo, you go girl! I hope these ideas help you plan in advance.

Hugs,

Heather

Want to start shopping for post-mastectomy items?

Here are my favorite things:

 

 

 

 

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