Being diagnosed with breast cancer is devastating, your life is suddenly taken over with endless doctor appointments, treatments, unpleasant side effects, not to mention all the emotions you are experiencing. Surgery is never something a woman looks forward to but is often a necessary component to the road of recovery. Whether you are having a mastectomy or lumpectomy there is a lot of preparation you need to consider before the day of the actual surgery, but have you given any thought after your after-care or post-op plan? Do you know what to expect? Just like every woman will respond to treatment differently, surgery and the recovery process is no different and can be overwhelming for some. Having the proper expectations laid out before your surgery and your support system in place can alleviate a lot of stress and give you as much peace of mind as possible during this stressful time in your life. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind before your surgery:
Post-Op Care
From the moment you are diagnosed with Breast Cancer Pink Ribbons is here for you. Our goal is to not only help you regain your strength and self-esteem but to assist you with the process every step of the way, including post-op care. Once you have your surgery date scheduled, stop into our boutique for a personalized consultation to discuss the ways we can help. The day following your surgery (with your doctor’s permission) our kind and compassionate staff will come to your hospital room with post-op camisoles. Designed to be used immediately after surgery, you can rest-assured these camisoles are easy-to-wear, comfortable, safe, secure, and provide drainage management. Because the drainage pouches are removable, these soft garment is ideal for leisure wear while you recover from surgery or during radiation treatment.
Ask for Help
Surgery can not only be a stressful experience for you but your friends and family as well! You may find your friends asking you for ways they can help. While you might want to take everything on yourself, there comes a point where you should lean on others. Supporting you makes them feel like they are contributing in some way to your recovery process and it’s beneficial for you to rely on others. If someone asks you for help, consider what your needs are and take them up on the offer (know that your needs might change from day to day). Common ways friends and family can help are making meals, offering rides, taking your pet for a walk, straightening your house, helping with children (if you have them), laundry, and more. Your friend could help out by simply bringing over a movie and a pizza and focusing on something else for a little while.
Lymphedema Care
Early detection of lymphedema is important. The staff at Pink Ribbons will educate you and follow you for lymphedema from the time of surgery forward. Pink Ribbons carries a large variety compression garments for daily and overnight use as well as LymphaPress, a pneumatic compression pump, that can be used in the comfort of your own home as long term therapy in addition to your compression.
Surgery can be a big milestone in your treatment and being prepared and knowing what to expect can really make a big difference. Pink Ribbons LLC proudly serves the ongoing and delicate needs of women diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Designed to be soft and feminine, Pink Ribbons LLC opened November 1, 2011 on North White Station in Memphis, TN to serve the mastectomy and lymphedema community of West Tennessee. Visit us online, stop in, or give us a call today 901-417-6060.
