Everything that happens to you in this life costs money; marriage, education, pregnancy, and cancer! In Great Britain we are extremely lucky to have the NHS so we don't have to worry about paying for treatment, or medical insurance, but there are still some essentials you will need to buy - or maybe someone may buy you as a gift! but what is essential? what is good? what is a waste of time & money?. As I've said before, this is based on my experience alone therefore I welcome any comments or suggestions to add, from other people who have travelled this journey.
** Small pillows: Absolutely essential! My daughter bought me a heart shaped beanbag pillow which has turned out to be the most useful gift of all, it fits perfectly under my armpit to support my arm when sitting or lying down, it can be molded to sit between my breasts when I lie on my side, and because it is lightweight it doesn't make me too hot. The pillow is also a must have, because for the first couple of weeks you need it to sit between your chest and the seatbelt when travelling in a car. You also need to make sure you have several pillows to prop you up and support you in bed.
** Small bag(s) with shoulder strap for drains: I found a bag much more manageable than the bra pockets, I was lucky enough to have a little bag that my Mum 'donated' (I kind of borrowed it on a permanent basis!), but I've seen a lot of women use Drain Dolly bags, these are pretty, hand made bags sold by a BC warrior from www.draindollies.co.uk , a snip at £6.00 each (10% of profit goes to Genesis - preventing breast cancer).
** Button up clothes: Essential! pyjamas or nightdresses and tops - you'll need these for about 3 weeks, the buttons make it easier to thread your drain tubes through, and saves your tops being lifted up at the side. Also its difficult to get clothes over your head when mobility is poor.
** Bra's: Now I think it depends upon which trust you are being treated at, so ask your Breast Care Specialist Nurse before surgery if they provide you with a mastectomy bra for free. I didn't know this was available and so spent out beforehand and it proved to be a waste of money. If you want to buy bras, or the trust doesn't provide the bra, then I would recommend using a zip up fronted sports bra. It needs to be very supportive but not too tight, no underwires, and non back fastening (you won't be able to reach) - but I would recommend buying a size bigger than you normally wear to allow for swelling (I didn't, and regretted it as I couldn't get them on for a month). A lot of the sites I looked at recommended M&S Sports bras, which I bought - now these are £25 each (they do give a donation to breast cancer research), but when you buy 2 and not use them - that's not funny! They are very nice, and good quality - however, I'm sure there would be cheaper options out there to be found.
** Poncho or wrap around blanket: Obviously depending on the time of year - I had my op in November, and there was no way I was going to be able to get a coat on, so this was a clever way to cover up and stay warm.
** Dry shampoo: depending on how often you usually wash your hair, and the support on offer to do the clingfilm trick - dry shampoo can buy you time.
** Box set, Books, magazines: You'll be spending a lot of time sitting and not moving, so you need stuff to entertain yourself with (between physio sessions!). I managed all 6 series of 'Downton Abbey' and all of 'The Crown' from Netflix.
www.breastcancercare.org.uk
www.macmillan.org.uk
www.cancerresearchuk.org
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