Hi while I’m sat here in hospital I thought it might be helpful to share some practical tips. I have been in for 6 days now. In your bag: the first few days you are pretty out of it but you will have on your bra. Front fasting and support, however I brought a sports bra and the material really hurt my scars. So tea shirt material best the softer the better. You will be showing your flap regularly at first every 15 minutes so front fasting is a must. Also take a few as they get dirty from little leaks and you are kept hot so sweat a lot. Black best colour. High wasted knickers; you want o make sure they don’t rub on you tummy incision so higher the better, I got mine from M&S Slippers and dressing gown;. Keep them with your bag or bring a second pair of slippers or something for your feet. They lost my slippers and dressing down as I went to surgery in them. Also put name in everything. I didn’t so they are gone for good. Nighty, front buttons and have 3. I have pjs which are ok but warm at night and only one pair! Remember once on ward you live in them. Face clothes;This has been great for washing but also at night to go one my head with cold water to cool you down. Take a few . You want to stay clean and everything get dirty faster. Face moistures are a welcome relief as your skin gets dry. A light book or magazine. You struggle to hold to anything, things including your phone for too long. Concentration is limited too due to meds. Ear buds (wireless ear phones); these have been great as only you can here what your loved ones are saying on the phone. I also brought mindfulness music on my phone (easy listening) when you hear the man in the next bed ask for a bed pan at 2 in the morning you definitely don’t want to hear that! But also there is a lot of beeping from machines in the High dependency ward and this still helps you relax or sleep as the music is so calming. I also downloaded audible books on my phone and that got me through the last night on the high dependency ward. There was no windows so no day light and that is hard. Fleece jacket; ( easy as covers top half of you when sitting in bed). Bed socks sometimes it’s just your feet that get cold and it’s a change from slippers. Baby y wipes; another great as you can use these to freshen up if you don’t feel up to bathroom trip. I was off my catheter 2 days after which was good as it makes you walk. Walk as much as you are able it helps right everything and you feel better for that little bit of independence. I went to the next county from where we live so my husband would have had a 2 hour drive to bring things in so it’s not really an option. There is no visiting unless I go meet them in the cafe( it’s not prison) however, not felt up to that yet. I would have been able to go home sooner but an ear infection! (I’m prone to these) has kept me here. So now wish I had clean things to put on. Well I hope this helps, bring all the other usual stuff toiletries, lip balm ( I d
’t have) if you can take a photo of your medications you’ve had previously for infection it might come in handy because the doctors ask you and logging onto apps Nhs etc, can be difficult so pictures are good and easy to find. I needed to let them know which antibiotic I take. Sorry if this is a bit over the place I blame the meds!! . Every is positive my lymph nodes show nothing so fingers crossed for the next stage for me. My breast do actually look good! Although getting rid of the cancer is a priority this operation is major surgery and be prepared for that. Good luck to you if you have got this far I am guessing you are having or thinking of having this done. The nhs staff are fab and look after you really well. The are professionals . Xx
Hi, thanks for the reply, I’m glad you’re home now and please yes, take it easy and allow yourself to recover. Is the scar across tummy quite low down, I’m aware it’s side to side but I kind of assumed that it would be the bikini line? Not that that matters to me, few years since I wire a bikini, lol 
. Sorry about your reaction to the meds, please take it easy. Sorry two days on ward, how many on the high dependency ward? Basically how many days were you in hospital in total? Please keep us updated with your progress when you feel up to it and thank you again - Mickey xx
