Post by Mary on Dec 3, 2008 11:14:48 GMT -5
2/22/2005 9:01 AM Posted by Mary♥B
Terrific Tip:
From Gidget: (Wear a bra throughout reconstruction process to support the healing tissues.)
To all of you havingDIEP reconstruction stage 2:
Diepflap will fall if you don't wear a bra.
Mine had fallen so much they had to push it all back up and restitch the inside. I was not able to get the nipples as there was so much new swelling and they wouldnt be able to judge it accordingly, so I wait about another 3 months for things to settle and have the nipples done under LOCAL anesthetic.
10/24/2004 6:49 AM Posted by pudelmom
Terrific Tip:
When I started my rads I was informed that I needed to keep my breast elevated when I was at home as much as possible. I am a shall we say "well endowed" gal and had no idea how to do this. After much brainstorming I came up with this idea.
Take a belt and thread it through a roll of toilet paper. Place the belt around your middle and the roll of toilet paper underneath your breast. This way the air can get underneath and you won't have any or very little irritation from your rads.
10/17/2004 7:52 PM Posted by gramajackie
Terrific Tip:
For after a TRAM, I was given a "grab it" tool to help me in dressing and for picking up things on the floor that I dropped. It may be helpful to get one before surgery.
3/7/2004 10:04 AM Posted by The-Ruth
Terrific Tip:
Here are some Terrific Tips from Judi about Surgery.........
Showering - you can't reach up at first. Get a stool or lawnchair to sit on and have your stuff on the tub where you can reach it. A hand held shower attachment is good at first. If you can shower and have drains, a shoelace around the neck works to hold them while you bathe!
You won't be able to wear a bra a first, and when you can again, front-hook soft sports bras will be most comfortable. I am small (had my real breast reduced to match the implant) so I just don't wear a bra at all when I can help it.
Foam or paper cups with lids and flexible straws. You may not need them, but if you do you'll be glad you have them.
You may have stiffness and less reach in the tram arm. You can't do exercises while you are healing. Don't strain that arm. Don't lift or over reach.
Don't let yourself get constipated. Use stool softeners with or without laxitive, take prune juice...whatever it takes to get your bowels moving. Your abdomen is tightly stretched after surgery and bloating is uncomfortable.
Shave your pubes before surgery. I thought the surgeon would do it but she didn't and the tape for the drains stuck to the hairs. In fact, shave your legs too, and under your arms because it will be a while before you can do it again.
Go out any buy some granny underwear at least a size too big. I did that and still ended up taking a pair of shears and cutting away the elastic in front. You'll want LOOSE shorts or pants. I went to the salvation army and bought some and had no qualms about cutting the waists up to fit.
Sleeping - when you get home, you'll still be "bent". A recliner or love seat, where you can have your knees bent and pillows behind your head and under your knees with your feet up a bit is good. Or, if you will sleep in bed, have lots of pillows for that. I also propped one at my tram side.
2/15/2004 2:58 PM Posted by DeeSkye1949
Terrific Tip:
I discovered great way to keep my scalp from itching and flaking. I use Burt's Bees "Flaky" shampoo on my head. The itching and flaking stopped immediately. I use it everyday to make sure it stays away. I plan on using an organic/natural shampoo from now on. When my hair comes back in, it will be (hopefully) like baby hair. I want to keep it that way. Give this shampoo a try. It really does work.....
Deanna (naquilter)
1/27/2004 5:39 PM Posted by MusicalFran
Terrific Tip:
Fran,s Tip !. After my Radation treatments ended in october 2003 I gave all the help where i recived my treatments a nice big box ofcandy, Chocolate is great, They were very nice to me, so i felt better doing something nice for them. Another one was to eat some chocolate for my self. It felt so good. And another thing that helped was to listen to music and dream about good things to come. Hope this helps. Musical Fran
11/4/2003 9:58 AM Posted by GrinnyRuth
Terrific Tip:
These tips are not necessarily about Breast Cancer.....but, they are good ones!
After my husband's lung surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, the Doctor told me to always keep paper towels in the bathroom to use instead of Hand Towels. It may not be the prettiest thing in your bathroom, but it helps tremendously on cutting down cold, flu and other germs that are spread by using hand towels.
Also, occasionally, put your toothbrushes in the dishwasher. This kills the germs, keeps them sanitary and cuts down the cost of buying new ones so often.
6/30/2003 5:53 PM Posted by GrinnyRuth
Terrific Tip:
Here are some Terrific Tips from our Member Marla. She's really got the right idea!
I have a few tricks I use to help me get through the rough moments, hope you might try it. Make sure first, that you have someone to watch kids if needed. And never be alone in the house when you do this, just to have that peace of mind.
Now....gather these supplies. Send hubby to pick up what you need.
1. Calgon bath beads
2. Book/magazine
3. Some kind of candy. Chocolate is medicine really!
4. Some kind of beverage
5. LET IT BE KNOWN YOU WILL BE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE NEXT 30 MINUTES.
6. A good crying jag will release a bunch of stress! Then let it all go and relax and enjoy your goodies!
It's not a cure all, but sooooo helpful. My girlfriend and I use the same basket and fill it with the above goodies, take the other's kids home with her or babysit at your house. Now that's a friend right?! So, there is my 2 cents worth! Take Care....Marla
6/30/2003 5:52 PM Posted by Mary♥B
Terrific Tip:
Buy a spiral notebook and write down EVERYTHING. I took notes on my research, notes at my doctor's appointments, wrote down all the questions I had, placed my blood counts and other lab work there. Took it with me to all my appointments and it really helped me keep track of everything, and I didn't forget to ask the doctor things that were on my mind. You get so much info. thrown at you; this was the only way I could keep track of it all.
6/12/2003 10:02 PM Posted by GrinnyRuth
Terrific Tip:
Sometimes after your Mastectomy, especially if you have Tram Flap Reconstruction, it will be difficult to sleep in your bed. It is also difficult to get in and out of a regular bed. If you have a recliner, this is the perfect position for sleeping for the first week after you get home from the hospital.
My husband put a nice soft comforter in the Recliner and I laid on top of it.....This way, I could pull the sides of the comforter up over me and throw them off if I got hot. Also a extra soft, or under-stuffed pillow, put behind your head.....It will keep your head from rolling to the side while you are sleeping.
Keep a small table, like a TV Tray next to the recliner for Ice Water, Pain Meds, Huggies, Tissues. a small clock etc. Keep a second TV Tray handy for your meals.
6/12/2003 9:52 PM Posted by Grinny44
Terrific Tip:
Drink plenty of liquids, especially water, (quarts), the day before your surgery. This hydrates your body and plumps-up your veins. This makes for easier insertion of the IV and, believe it or not the needles don't hurt as bad.
5/27/2003 9:08 AM Posted by Karen-Asst-Mgr-FIT
Terrific Tip:
These tips were provided by our member Lily (Lori):
While waiting for my own mastectomy/reconstruction surgery, I decided to turn it into a shopping extravaganza. Here are some things that might perk you up and come in handy when you have your surgery:
New pajamas, robe, and slippers.
Lip balm for those chapped lips after surgery.
Wet towlettes for cleaning up without having to get out of bed.
Phone card for out of town calls to family and friends
Phone numbers of family and friends.
Massage oil for when you get home. Nothing takes the tension out of your back like a good back rub. The oil makes it much easier. If you have some help after surgery, just ask for a quick backrub. It will really help after lying on your back.
Ask friends to bring in food or buy frozen food ahead that you only have to heat up to eat.
Nail clippers or emery board in case you tear a nail.
Buy some dressings ahead of time and some paper tape. That way you won't have to worry about buying it after surgery.
Tops that button up the front so that you do not have to raise your arm for awhile
Something to read while you wait your turn to go for surgery. They are never exactly on time. It helps to have something to do while you wait. bring your glasses if you need them to read. One time they forgot to have me sign some paperwork and brought it to me right before surgery. They had to go get my glasses so that I could read it.
8/17/2002 9:36 PM Posted by Sue-NY
Terrific Tip:
I had lost all of my hair and in the summer found the wig very hot. I prefered to wear a scarf. Silk scarfs have a tendency to slip on a bald head. I would put a head band on either before putting on the scarf or inside of the scarf to keep it from sliding.
8/17/2002 9:35 PM Posted by Tigger_CCT
Terrific Tip:
A tip that proved very helpful during my immediate recovery at home from bilateral mastectomies was to purchase a cheap baby monitor to keep next to the bed. I had difficulty getting in and out of bed especially for bathroom breaks and just simply talked into the monitor. My dear husband came quickly to my bedside to assist me. Yep, we had to sleep apart for a week or two until the jarring and movement of someone rolling over didn't bother me. The baby monitor and my hubby were babying me!
6/12/2002 7:17 PM Posted by CelticFerretmom474
Terrific Tip: This is for anyone who experiences sleep pattern changes during treatment. If you eat a potato (not fried) before bed it may help your sleep. Potatoes stimulate serotonin production, which helps you sleep. Also, taking Melatonin, found in any health food store, and relatively inexpensive, will regulate/normalize sleep. It may take a couple of weeks, but you will begin to sleep more regularly and normally.
6/3/2002 9:23 AM Posted by Lily
Terrific Tip:
If you have any long distance calls to make while in the hospital, purchase a phone card ahead of time. I brought my cell phone with me and wasn't allowed to use it. Now when I have a friend who is having surgery, I always purchase a phone card to include in the care basket.
Lily
1/15/2002 1:20 PM Posted by Kathleen
Terrific Tip:
This is a tip for denture wearers. Chemotherapy can cause mouth sores. Unless your dentures fit absolutely perfectly, they can irritate the mouth sores and in some cases cause infection. Before starting chemo, get your dentures religned if possible and alert your dentist to notify your insurance that you may need a re-fitting after chemo. This way if you've had to stop wearing your dentures during chemo, you will already have approval for refitting once you've finished chemo and the sores have healed.
1/3/2002 8:04 PM Posted by colleen
Terrific Tip:
While doing my chemo treatments hair loss was my hardest thing to deal with so Iwent to the wig shop the day I knew I was going to lose my hair. This enabled the stylist to see my own hair and match it. I got many compliments on my hair and didn't have the heart to tell people it was a wig. For the loss of eyelashes I started using eyeliner on my lids with a fine line. I also buzzed my hair when it started to fall out and wore my wig as it is not as messy and felt better. I guess me being in control helped me too.
1/3/2002 4:21 PM Posted by Kathleen
Terrific Tip:
Naps can be a Survivor's best friend. Treatments, fears, and just coping from day to day is exhausting. Even if you can't sleep during a nap, atleast stretch out on the sofa, prop your feet up on a pillow or the arm of the sofa and close your eyes for 15 minutes. Try this once or twice a day...you'll be amazed at how relaxing and energing a simple time out can be. Many of us work throughout treatment....can't nap at work!! There is a way around this...many companies have a break room or coffee room...during break time utilize this room....if it has a sofa, stretch out with your feet elevated...my motherinlaw worked through her treatments....there were no sofas in the breakroom but she kept a beach towel in her desk drawer...during breaktimes she would spread it on the floor of the room and lie on it with her feet propped up on a chair.
1/3/2002 2:16 PM Posted by Pegleg
Terrific Tip:
I found this tip on the Breast Cancer Climb site. It is suggested that instead of cooking and storing food in metal, teflon, plastic (microwave)etc. that you use GLASS pots and pans and dishes. It has been proven that no matter how safe a product is listed as, it still under high temperatures leaches toxins that have been linked to breast cancer. All those plastic microwave safe dishes are safe to a degree but they still leach toxins. And Tfal pots and pans the first nick in the coating they should be tossed out as that allows toxins to escape into your food. And the freezer tubs as the food sits there in the plastic especially something with acidic juices toxins are seeping into the food.
Just thought you would want to know.
I already use glass anywhere I can. But I still need to replace all my plastic storage tubs and throw out the Tfal that is scratched and get another glass tea pitcher instead of the plastic one I currently have. Every little bit helps.
1/2/2002 10:28 AM Posted by Sherrie_Sunshine
Terrific Tip:
While taking chemo it's a good ideal to drink lots of water before and after the treatments, this helps to keep the veins good if you don't have the port and get the chemo in the vein instead. It also helps to flush out the chemo out of your system faster!
12/31/2001 1:14 AM Posted by Kathleen
Terrific Tip:
For chemo tummy, loss of appetite, for you just don't feel like cooking a meal for yourself....I used the following recipe for Instant Potato Soup. It is easy, nutritious and very soothing for the queasiness and nausea some of us have experienced.
Potato Soup Mix
1-3/4 cups instant mashed potatoes
1-1/2 cups dry milk
2 Tb. instant chicken boullion
2 tsp. dried minced onion
1 tsp. dried parsley
1/4 tsp. ground white pepper
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
1/8 tsp. turmeric (optional...it adds little flavor but gives the soup a nice color)
1-1/2 tsp. seasoning salt
Combine all ingredients. in a bowl and mix. Makes 6 servings.
Place in 1 quart canning jars to store.
Instructions to attach to jar: To serve: place 1/2 cup mix in soup
bowl and add 1 cup boiling water. Stir until smooth.
I made up a batch of this mix when I first started chemo and it was a lifesaver for me.
12/31/2001 1:13 AM Posted by Kathleen
Terrific Tip:
If Adriamycin (the A in A/C) is one of your chemo drugs, be sure to wear a pantiliner to chemo and for a day or two afterwards. Adriamycin is a bright cherry red liquid that is eliminated from the body through the kidneys. The pantiliner will eliminate the pink stains it can leave in your undies.
12/31/2001 1:11 AM Posted by Kathleen
Terrific Tip:
It is very important to remember to both shampoo and condition your scalp regularly after you have lost your hair. It keeps the scalp from drying out and helps promote the healthy regrowth of your hair.
12/30/2001 3:58 PM Posted by Grinny44
Terrific Tip:
After you come home from the hospital, it is a good idea to keep a box of Baby Wipes (like Huggies) handy. They are great for freshening-up in-between showers. Many Doctors tell us not to use deodorant while we are healing. You can use cornstarch under your arms instead of deodorant. Cornstarch is also excellent to use in place of body powder.
