Preparing for surgery, chemo, radiation

Jennmadd

Hello ladies!

I would love to know your favorite things that got you through bilateral mastectomy, chemo, and/or radiation. My mom goes in for her surgery Tuesday and will be starting chemo followed by radiation soon after. She has been my rock my whole life. I have been blessed to have her as my momma. I would love to put together a chemo/ radiation bag for her and get things to help her with her recovery from the mastectomy.

So far we have gotten the brobe, a mastectomy pillow off Etsy for the car ride and protection. And a couple button pajama tops that I'm sewing pockets for the drainage bags.

Hopfull2

jennmad, hi. You are such a great daughter. Cherish your mom and make every minute count. I lost my mom a year ago and wish I had my rick through out my cancer journey. Don't forget snacks. After my mastectomy I spent the night in the hospital and had my snack. A cross word puzzle. Oh and a drain pouch if she's having drains in. I also had a ribbon my neck to hold my drains. Last how about matching B/C bracelets for you and her. Good luck

Hugs.

MTwoman

Jennmadd, I'll just toss out a few ideas for you to consider whether or not they seem helpful for your Mom. I loved having some good soup in the fridge ready for me to easily heat up and warm/nourish myself, as well as herbal teas. Staying in bed made me feel like a sick person, so I wanted up right away, but couldn't move too far away at first. So, I had a recuperation spot with scented candles and soft blanket, good lighting (if I felt like reading) and access to tv/laptop/tablet for movies (for distraction), soothing music and phone (with a charger nearby).

My Mom actually bought me a punch card for a local restaurant that has 5 home made soups every day. They didn't offer this as a standard thing, she called them, explained the situation (she lived far away) and told them she wanted me to be able to swing by and pick up soup whenever I wanted (she would have been making it for me if she was closer), and they came up with that idea together. It was one of the most amazing things for me, as I could just swing by after a long day and pick up dinner, knowing it would be warm and yummy. Soup is comforting to me, so that might not be a good fit for your Mom. But having easy access to fresh, warm and soothing nutrition was extraordinarily comforting to me.

Hope your Mom gets through her surgery and feels better soon! ((hugs))

Jennmadd

Hopefull2- I'm betting your mom is your biggest cheerleader up in heaven. I am so very sorry you don't have her here in the flesh to hold your hand through all this. My heart goes out to you. 💗Matching bracelets is a great idea!

Jennmadd

MTwomen-

My mom LOVES soup! She makes the BEST soup. Unfortunately I do not share the same skill. I know that she had planned on making a few soups the day before surgery to freeze and have when she gets out. I'm thinking it would be a good idea to make them with her and learn so that I can make her some as well.

She will not be staying in bed for the same reasons so I will be sure she has the things you listed by her chair.

It sounds like you have a pretty great mom as well. What a great idea giving you access to hot and ready soup when she couldn't personally prepare it herself

MTwoman

Jennmadd, making soup together sounds like a great thing to do, keeps her mind occupied as well as nourishes her body later when she needs it. And then you can replenish her supply later. Great plan! Hugs to you and your Mom.

MinusTwo

Jennmad - below is a great thread of tips & tricks to get through chemo. Read the header for sure and then you can dip into individual tips.

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topics...