Any suggestions welcome to aid comfort & recovery following mastectomy.

Hello, I’ve had two separate mastectomies (the first with an axillary clearance. You might find it more comfy and practical (especially if you have a drain fitted) to sleep on your back almost semi upright, as it can be uncomfortable if you roll onto the affected side. Sometimes people sleep for a few days in a recliner chair (which prevents rolling) but I haven’t got one, so didn’t try it. I used a V pillow for support, and popped an ordinary soft pillow under my armpit for comfort. There are some special shaped pillows for mastectomies also, but I didn’t use one. 
You will be given a booklet of exercises to do following surgery. It tells you when to try them, and in what order. You’ll find that you can’t do them all at first, but it gets better. I used button up tops for the first couple of weeks , and a front buttoning bra can be useful if a single mastectomy . It was easier and less sore that way for me, but we are all different. 
My radiotherapy started about nine weeks after surgery, but it can vary. This is one of the reasons why  the exercises are important as you will need to get your arms in a certain position for this treatment. Your breast care nurse will likely demonstrate this  if you  ask. 
I’m sorry that your husband is going through a challenging time. X 

Hi, thankyou for your advice and recommendations, I had read something about the recliners and wondered how many others had found them useful, i May borrow my dads if it’s really going to help at night. I will look Into those v shape pillows also as I can imagine the drains get knocked if you’re not supported enough. 
I hope you’re ok and on the road to being at the end of your journey with full health x

Hello,

So sorry to hear that your family are going through the big C rollercoaster. It's just bloody horrible, but you've seen what good support can do 

I had a Righr side mastectomy 10 weeks ago.

Too tips -

Start moisturising your side, armpits & upper arms. Get your pits waxed for the last ever time!

Find the exercises on the breast cancer now website and start doing some of the stretches NOW so you are a little more supple going into surgery. And do them religiously afterwards. I thought it would be impossible to do the hand walks up the wall but it actually comes quite quickly (which helps with everything).

Rest - not everyone sleeps through the day, but go to bed & rest for at least an hour each day, really helps with lymph drainage.

Get a V shaped pillow - most comfy to sleep on, I stopped using it 2 weeks ago. I also still have 2 small heart shaped pillows - useful for slightly raising your arm while sleeping.. Really useful.

Clothes - cool & loose. I had a stretchy vest top & hoodie, button shirt, zipped fleece etc. It's winter so PJs are a must!!! Nothing too fluffy though as it sticks to your wound dressings. Takes about 10 days to put a jumper on yourself.

Drains aren't in for long, mine was a day - hospital gave me a bag.

Walk a bit & drink lots of fluiid.

Good luck to you - sending positive & healing vibes