I didn't really want to spend money on a wedge pillow because they're expensive for something I'll only use for a brief time but I'm so, so happy I did. I added another pillow to the top of the wedge for even more elevation. I could not sleep without it, highly recommended a wedge if you don't have a recliner. The week prior to my surgery I made vegetable soup, split pea soup, chicken and spinach soup, beef stew, chili, and a few other things. I put everything in freezer bags so I can just heat it up.

@ChelseyTarnow

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for sharing! I never knew before surgery that a wedge pillow would be helpful so I didn't have one :s. I appreciate the personal experience recommendation. Well done on getting so much food prepped and ready for you too. I also didn't do that, but I was very thankful to have many care packages from my mom

@dm8553

Жыл бұрын

I'm going to buy one of those wedges. My surgery is January 20th.

@roselucht4583

25 күн бұрын

I just ordered a 12 inch wedge pillow for $30. On Amazon.

June 4th double mastectomy, very scared but God has me🙏❤️

@amazingautumn12

Ай бұрын

Good luck to you 🙏

@ChelseyTarnow

Ай бұрын

You can do it💕💕. I found there was so much relief once it was over, the waiting/anticipation was the hard part for me.

Sleep on a recliner! That helped my sister when she had her surgery. I already had an adjustable bed I had purchased before due to back surgery and that was so useful for my own surgery 🙏

I had preventative surgery in 2016, a bilateral mastectomy with diep flap reconstruction and this advice was EXCELLENT!! I wish I would have had this info before I had my surgery. I will be passing on this great info. Thank you and Bless you! 🥰🙏

Thank you for the tips. I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and my double mastectomy surgery will be within the next few weeks. It’s been a whirlwind of tests and appointments. Planning ahead gives me a feeling of some control over my life again.

@ChelseyTarnow

2 жыл бұрын

So sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis🙏. I'm happy you found his helpful💕. I can definitely relate to wanting to do things that give you a feeling of control. Sending positive vibes for you for your upcoming surgery💌 and wishing you a quick recovery. You can SO do this💪!

@mythaichannel9082

Жыл бұрын

Yes I found out that at the beginning of my Diagnosed with Breast Cancer I had been to the hospital everyday for a week. Running a lot of tests MRI, consultation with breast surgeon, oncologist plastics surgeon, therapy team meeting with so many teams I know how you feel. Hopefully we are all kicking it in the butt. Good luck to all of us

I purchased a smart bidet from Walmart a week prior to surgery. It was extremely helpful in feeling fresh during times of limited arm reach.

@ChelseyTarnow

Жыл бұрын

That's such a great idea! Thank you for sharing!

@kadams3029

Ай бұрын

That was my best cancer- related purchase as well. Helped a lot with all the GI side effects of chemo.

Thank you so much for this very informative video! Your voice is so calming. I'm having a bilateral mastectomy on April 9th.

@ChelseyTarnow

3 ай бұрын

I hope it was helpful for you🙏🌷! Wishing you a quick recovery and healing post surgery🌱💫!

Great video! Ive been researching since my diagnosis. Bilateral w/recon scheduled for May 2nd. Nervous but excited to be cancer free! Its nice to find videos of women willing to tell about their experience to help us. Im extremely grateful! Thank you ❤

@nanabananainavana7534

2 ай бұрын

My bilateral is scheduled for May 3! These videos really do help us prepare mentally and practically. Lori

@ChelseyTarnow

2 ай бұрын

I'm so glad the video has been helpful🙏🌷. You are getting so close. I hope at this time you are feeling as prepare as one can and ready to be cancer free. Thinking of you and sending healing vibes🌱💕

@mikay7475

2 ай бұрын

Mine is scheduled for June 7th. We’re all strong women.

@ms313city

2 ай бұрын

@@nanabananainavana7534 yes they are

@ms313city

2 ай бұрын

@@ChelseyTarnow greatly appreciated

Thank you for this! I've heard of a few of these tips, but also a number I haven't! Greatly appreciate it! Very helpful

@ChelseyTarnow

2 жыл бұрын

Wonderful! Happy there were a few new ones! All the best to you♡!

I had a bilateral mastectomy and I definitely suggest getting pillows. I had to sleep propped up for months. I still don’t sleep the way I use too. It’s been over a year. Those shirts with drain pockets a definite investment.

@ChelseyTarnow

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! So helpful to know what has been helpful for others🙏👍💓

So helpful! Thank you!

@ChelseyTarnow

2 жыл бұрын

The pleasure is all mine♡. Sending lots of healing vibes your way!

God bless you for sharing your information.

@ChelseyTarnow

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for your support🙏. Thinking of you and sending positive vibes your way💌

Great suggestions. Thank you

@ChelseyTarnow

2 жыл бұрын

Happy to hear you found them helpful🙏! All the best to you💕

Thank you so much for this video ❤ I’m waiting for my surgery date and really needed a positive and gentle prep video. Looking forward to watching your other videos!

@ChelseyTarnow

Жыл бұрын

I'm so happy this video was a good fit for what you needed at this time🙏💗. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

What a wonderful video! Great practical info, and most of all, your beautiful smile is so reassuring!!

@ChelseyTarnow

Ай бұрын

I'm so happy I was helpful for you🙏💕💕

Thank you for all the information, really important .🙏🧡

@ChelseyTarnow

12 күн бұрын

I'm so happy you found it helpful🙏🌷

Thank you so much for this video. 🙏🏼💕

@ChelseyTarnow

10 ай бұрын

You are so welcome! Happy to hear it was helpful for you🙏💕!

Amazing hun xxx thank you 🙏

@ChelseyTarnow

2 жыл бұрын

You are so welcome! I know it's a bit late for you, but hopefully something was still helpful for you at this time

Glad i found your video. ❤

@ChelseyTarnow

Жыл бұрын

Wonderful🌷. Happy it was helpful for you🙏. Sending positive thoughts and healing vibes your way💫

This is lovely. So thoughtful. May I add to be sure to talk to your surgeon about post op pain medication. My surgeon forgot this detail.

@ChelseyTarnow

2 жыл бұрын

Awe thank you

Thank you so much for the very informative information. This helps a lot for people who need to prepare for this major surgery.🙏🙏🎀🎀

@ChelseyTarnow

3 ай бұрын

Oh good! So happy to hear you found it helpful🙏💕

Thank you for sharing these tips. I will be having my radical mastectomy sometime in July 2023. Your video helped me a lot in preparing for it.

@ChelseyTarnow

Жыл бұрын

My pleasure, happy to hear they helped you! Wishing you all the best in your surgery and recovery🙏💫

I don’t know why watching informative videos like yours as I wait for my diagnostic recall appointment to get here (two more days!). I don’t have breast cancer (hopefully) but knowing what my options are and tips helps me feel more in control of my anxiety. I also secretly want to believe that if I do all the research I will jinx it and they will decide the suspicious spots are nothing of concern!

@ChelseyTarnow

4 ай бұрын

I truly hope that your "jinxing" plan worked! I totally understand your drive to do your research to feel in control. I hope that at this point you have some extra insights that don't pertain to you🙏🌷. Xo

Thank you so much. You helped to relieve some of the anxiety I feel. My dr said thier will not be any pain meds after surgery (single or double mastectomy depending on Genetic testing results), just Tylenol. I hope that means there won't be much pain.😮

@ChelseyTarnow

6 ай бұрын

I'm so happy this video helped to relieve some of your anxiety. I find the unknown to be so stressful. Hmmmm, I remember there being other pain management options available, but I'm sure every doctor is different. Sending much love, strength and continued resilience as you head into this fight. You've got this!!!

Thank you. As many others have said, great information. I have also been told to add a bidet to my needed supplies. (Bilat with expander surgery in 1 week) Hoping that is an extra and not needed, but... just in case!

@ChelseyTarnow

Жыл бұрын

I'm so happy you found the video helpful🙏! I agree, better to be more prepared than less! Wishing you a smooth surgery and quick recovery💫!

Thanks so much. ❤

@ChelseyTarnow

10 ай бұрын

You are so welcome💕, I hope it was helpful for you🙏.

Thank you so much for the advice I’m going to have my surgery next month

@ChelseyTarnow

11 ай бұрын

You are so welcome! I hope it will be helpful for you as you prepare for your surgery. Wishing you a speedy recovery in the weeks ahead💫💪💕🌱!

Thank you so much for doing this video, these are all things that the nurses should tell you but don't (in the UK) I wish I had found this video before my lumptectomy, I was told Only 2 weeks off work, however ended up with wound bursting (I have no support network! ) bleeding and infection, so 5 weeks later and I had to return to work (I was running out of cash) I should have had an extra couple of weeks off ... So be prepared in case you encounter problems, also have extra dressings to hand & steristrips, surgical tape wound cleaning stuff etc, and painkillers. I was given 2 and when I needed more I couldn't get them due to shop closures due to bank holidays and supply problems ... I was surprised how many I needed, & how long I needed them for. I ended up having to patch dressings together to get them big enough to cover the wound and the only place I could get any supplies was Poundland (like dollar store) & Wilko. Luckily I had a mirror that I could stand in front of to show me where to place the dressings to. At one point I ran out of gauze and cotton wool to clean the wound and ended up having to make cotton swabs & triangular bandages and sterilze them, from a pure cotton sheet. Now 8 months later, reoccurance it's looking like a mastecomy, so I'm very grateful of the extra tips. :) x My lumpectomy was in early spring and it was unusually warm here, I found shorts with pockets and a ties very good, and a baggy bat wing (no seams around the shoulder or armpit) short sleeve t-shirt - where you can put your elbow through the arm hole, worked, you could even modifying 2 t-shirts into one, with a french seam at the front that would work :) The mastectomy pillow / heart pillow is a definate, (I never had one, but oh my I struggled!) I struggled with sleeping position, sitting up, & driving. It took me about 2 months before I could change the sheets properly, so eleasticated fitted sheets are helpful :) and a sheet under the duvet, easier to drag a sheet across, than trying to change a duvet cover, on your own. If you have animals (cats), train then to go into their carrier, just in case you require a vet visit ... Have a baggy cardigan, and jacket to hand, and flipflops. Tips from video ... Before surgery, have some self care, like a hair cut, facial, massage, nails - no polish / varnish have ready.. loose comfy clothing - where you don't need to raise your arms, like baggy button shirts, stretchy trousers with pockets that can be tied :) cosy socks with grippy bits on the bottom / slip on footwear. hygiene dry shampoo, wet wipes, face wipes, a thick wide cotton headband. shower seat, detachable shower head. Contact list for friends and family, & delegate a spokes person to send a circular. meds & supplies pain killers, scar reducing supplies, extra dressings, supplements travelling organise someone to drive you (mid range height vehicle) a mastecomy pillow, to go under seat belt, & a pillow for under the waist strap. a small blanket & neck pillow, if its a long journey food & drink pre make your meals and have them ready protein bars & healthy snacks (organise home delivery, if you can) green teas Sleep! sleep on an incline, takes the pressure off the chest. the first 10 days were the worse, esp with drains in. wedge pillow & extra pillows clean sheets ready daily tasks 1-6 weeks cleaning, maybe get a cleaner ? order groceries online & have a friend at home to help put stuff away, if necessary petcare driving, or organise a chuaffeur. Thank you for sharing xx

@ChelseyTarnow

Жыл бұрын

Oh my gosh... Thank YOU so much for all the extra helpful information you have added in your comment! So much! I'm so happy to hear you found this video helpful and I wish you all the best as you prepare for your next surgery. Sending lots of positive vibes and hoping for a quick recovery with access to all the supplies that you need to look after your healing body🙏💓💫. Thank you again. Xo

Thank you! I have my double mastectomy next month and I know it's going to zoom by.

@ChelseyTarnow

8 ай бұрын

I hope it was helpful! Wishing you all the best as you prepare, and go into your surgery. Sending so many positive vibes your way🌷💫!

Thank you.

@ChelseyTarnow

3 ай бұрын

You are so welcome🌷. I hope it was helpful💕

Thanks so much

@ChelseyTarnow

Ай бұрын

I hope it was helpful for you🌷💫🙏

Thank you so much. I’ve been going through extreme anxiety since my diagnosis

@ChelseyTarnow

3 ай бұрын

That's totally and completely fair! It's so much to process! I hope the video was helpful for you🙏💕

Thanks for tips! I'm planning to get a mastectomy so this was helpful!

@ChelseyTarnow

2 жыл бұрын

Wonderful! So happy to hear you found the video helpful💕. All the best to you moving forward🌷!

@Michelle-qd9gm

2 жыл бұрын

How you getting along ?

Thank you so much, my surgery is in July. 💗

@ChelseyTarnow

Жыл бұрын

You are so welcome💕. I hope it was helpful for you. Wishing you a smooth and speedy recovery💫🌱!

Thank you so much for shaiting ur experience and HOW A PROFESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE MAM😇😇😇 My turn 'll b on 30.03.2023🎉🎉🎉

@ChelseyTarnow

Жыл бұрын

You are so welcome! I hope it helped you prepare🙏🌷. Wishing you all the best for your surgery and recovery💌💫!

Great video thank u so so so much😘♥️♥️♥️🥰🥰🥰🥀🥀🥀

@ChelseyTarnow

3 ай бұрын

You are so welcome! I'm so happy you found it to be helpful🙏❤

Thanks for the tips. Bilateral mastectomy coming up this Friday🫤

@ChelseyTarnow

2 жыл бұрын

The pleasure is mine🙏. Sending you all the love, strength and healing vibes for your surgery on Friday💕💪💫!

@mmsdecorator928

2 жыл бұрын

I’ll be praying for you that all goes smoothly Friday, and you heal quickly. I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and my double mastectomy will be soon.

What I did is I put my head down when I washed my hair. I didn't lift my arms up for about three weeks. I was glad when I went though physical therapy because I couldn't lift my arms up. I am glad it's been over eight months. I didn't like the way I felt I don't normally like being dependent on other people. I look disfigured after I had the mastectomies. What I mean is when I wear the clothes before I had my breasts removed. I didn't like not being able to use my arms. So I worked to get more of use of my arms back enough to function more normally.

@ChelseyTarnow

4 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for sharing! I found it to be such an uncomfortable feeling to be nervous to use my arms. When I went in for surgery they had a physio at the hospital so the few of us that had surgery the day before all got a lesson on range of motion exercises to do right away which I believe so was helpful to get back to regular activities as soon as possible. Without that lesson I wouldn't have know what was and wasn't safe post surgery. Way to work hard to get yourself back to a place where you feel more able again🙏!

I was wondering what the drains looked like? And were they what you anticipated?

@ChelseyTarnow

2 жыл бұрын

Good question! The drains came out of 2 different spots around my surgery site, but not exactly where the main incisions were. They were long clear straw like tubes that had circular discs at the end that the extra fluid ran into. I really had no idea what to anticipate. I think I was more protective of them being pulled than I would have assumed. I found them very interesting for sure! I hope this helped to provide you some insight♡

@Michelle-qd9gm

2 жыл бұрын

If you breath slowly when they take them out it will help with the pain x

Thank you, i have surgery next month...

@ChelseyTarnow

4 ай бұрын

Wishing you a quick recovery🙏🌱!!! You've got this🫂

I got myself a mastectomy cushion it’s like a love heart cushion to put under my arm after my surgery omg it took a lot of the pain away I could not do without it the hospital might even do them you could buy a love heart cushion I could not wait to get my bust of because I knew I old stop being sick and another thing when they take the pipes out breath in very slowly it helps again with the pain hope this helps someone

@ChelseyTarnow

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for sharing Michelle🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤❤!!! I found the pillow to be such a comfort thing too, felt like it added a layer of safety as well. Oh man, good tip for the drains coming out! That was a feeling I didn't expect! All the best to you, thank you do much for adding in your experience💌💕!

@ChelseyTarnow

2 жыл бұрын

@@Michelle-qd9gm oh my goodness Michelle what a journey!!! I am in tears! I'm happy to hear with all you have been through you are happy and with a wonderful man that treats you and your family right❤. You are an inspiration my friend! All the best to you and your family🌟💕 xo

@Michelle-qd9gm

2 жыл бұрын

@@ChelseyTarnow thankyou it means a lot from you 💗💕

@ChelseyTarnow

2 жыл бұрын

@@Michelle-qd9gm ❤❤❤🌷💌🕊 I mean it! Xo

I desperately need an alternative hospital or clinic to get treated as I have been totally let down at the hospital where I was booked for a surgery. I have been diagnosed end of June with breast cancer in my left breast. I could not get good medical where I live in Africa so I decided to come to the USA. I was advised to go to MD Anderson in Houston but I had a horrific experience there. I qualify for direct-to-implant but I was told on first appointment they wouldn't do it as they don't usually do here (even though their website advertises the technique!) One of their plastic surgeons told me that they could actually do it ( it took me so many efforts through social worker and advocacy appointments to get that appointment!). It felt weird to be told such different things from the two surgeons supposed to operate on me, but I was so relieved that I could get direct to implant I told myself it would be ok. Long story short I've been waiting for a month and a half. In the meantime I decided I should get double mastectomy + reconstruction as I can't get the same standard of medical where I live and it makes sense to get a peace of mind especially I won't benefit from the same medical coverage in 2 years time. I sent all my concerns and questions to the surgeons before pre-op appointment. She came in so mad! She accused me of 'manipulating surgeons' ( I saw them once! the breast surgeon 20 min and the plastic one 60 min). "I offered you direct to implant even though no one does it here' I understood she resented for convincing her colleague and now me asking to discuss the double mastectomy issue, was the straw. in fact I tried to reach out to their nurse n anyone I could. i never got any response. I felt so isolated. They limit the communication to null for over a month and I can't even express how I have evolved about how I consider my treatment care. She scared me so much; You will not get any surgery if you don't sign the consent NOW" i signed it. The minute I was out I knew I could possibly have my surgery done by these vindicative surgeons. I have simply zero trust in them I need help. can you tell me who was your surgeon. I need a team that can listen to me and understand my situation.

@ChelseyTarnow

8 ай бұрын

Oh my goodness, I am so so sorry for how you've been treated in the pursuit of the best care possible for your body! I could not imagine the stress you have been caused ON TOP of the stress you already have from your diagnosis and the big decisions you are forced to make. My reconstruction surgeons name was Dr Van Laeken, her office is in Vancouver, Canada. My heart truly goes out to you, deciding on what surgery was best for me and connecting with a surgeon was an extremely challenging part of my journey so I totally empathize with you. I hope you can connect with someone you feel comfortable, heard and confident with🫂💕🌷

Thank you for all of this. I am getting ready for my prophylactic mastectomy with reconstructive surgery and I am so scared

@meritabuff741

2 ай бұрын

Praying 🙏I’m a breast survivor I had a lumpy no chemo 16 radation treatment Doing great

@ChelseyTarnow

2 ай бұрын

I hope it was helpful. I can remember how terrifying it was😔. I can't speak to your experience, but I found once it was done the mental strain of agonizing about it was gone. Sending much love and healing vibes your way🌱💫. You can do this💪!

@CarlaWilkins

2 ай бұрын

@@ChelseyTarnowthank you ❤❤

@CarlaWilkins

2 ай бұрын

@@meritabuff741praying for your healing ❤

HOW BAD WAS THE PAIN IM GETTING A UNILATERAL MASTECTOMY WITH IMIDIATE RECONSTRUCTION IM VERY SCARED OF GHE PAIN!

@ChelseyTarnow

Жыл бұрын

That is such a hard question to answer as I believe everyone feels pain differently... It was painful for sure, the medication helped a lot. More than the pain, I remember feeling very uncomfortable in typically comfortable places like my bed, nervous I was going to split my stitches and unable to do simple self care tasks for the first 7-10 days. You will get through it! Wishing you a speedy recovery after your surgery💫.

Thank you, my surgery is soon:(

@ChelseyTarnow

2 жыл бұрын

I found the lead up to surgery was very stressful. But I will say once it was done a big weight was lifted. I hope you found some of these tips helpful. Wishing you all the best moving forward. You've got this♡. Xo

@Michelle-qd9gm

2 жыл бұрын

How you getting along ?

Wanted to hear what you had to say, but the audio is so low I can not hear it well enough to listen.

@ChelseyTarnow

Жыл бұрын

Sorry about that and thank you for thr feedback. I have since increased the audio on my more recent videos.

You can have a face towel and water in a small bowl of water to wash your face and body

@ChelseyTarnow

2 ай бұрын

Yes that's a great idea🙏

Check with your insurance, most cover all post mastectomy supplies as long as you get your surgeon to write you a script.

@ChelseyTarnow

2 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! I didn't know that🙏🙏

Wish in uk 🇬🇧 they give the drain put on instead go to hospital to inject and get it drain it’s too tiring and painful 🥲

@ChelseyTarnow

3 ай бұрын

Oh that's interesting😬... I didn't know there was another option other than drains. Thank you for sharing!

CAN'T HEAR :( . . .

@ChelseyTarnow

2 жыл бұрын

Shoot, I'm so sorry to hear that! I appreciate the feedback and will make a big effort moving forward to be louder.

I will have my mastectomy on April 25'2024

@ChelseyTarnow

2 ай бұрын

Sending so many positive surgery and healing vibes your way💫💫

@ItalianainDC

2 ай бұрын

Hi Sarah, I too am having my double mastectomy on April 25 2024

@meritabuff741

2 ай бұрын

Praying for All

Mine was full of fluids and was hurting my stitches that’s wen I knew it’s fluid buildup and need to go hospital for drainage which thn I did after 3 days again fluids and I’m in so much pain on my stitches and really don’t want to go hospital but will have to 🥲😭

@ChelseyTarnow

3 ай бұрын

😬😬 I'm sorry you had a drainage build up! I hope by now you are well on your way to healing🙏💫🌱!

Thanks for sharing your tips, hope you are well healing ❤️‍🩹 I’m just diagnosed with HER2 positive two weeks ago and getting my double mastectomy and reconstruction in three days and I’m planning to wear’s pajamas all day all night during my recovery times. 😂😂 hopefully I am recovering fast 💨

@ChelseyTarnow

Жыл бұрын

Hi:). Thank you for saying hello, and sharing where you are at in your fight. That is amazing that you are able to get in for your surgery so fast! Living in Pj's for healing is the best idea. Wishing you all the best in your surgery and recovery🌱💫.

@mythaichannel9082

Жыл бұрын

@@ChelseyTarnow I am stage 1 with invasive ductal carcinoma Her2 positive on 12/22/2022 right before Christmas have been super busy with appointments and meeting with my physician team and lots of tests

@ChelseyTarnow

Жыл бұрын

@@mythaichannel9082 ​I found the beginning appointments to be very overwhelming. I hope that you are managing ok and you get all the information that you need. Thinking of you today.

@mythaichannel9082

Жыл бұрын

@@ChelseyTarnow thanks 🙏 😇😇

@luvdpugs

Жыл бұрын

How are you doing now? I have HER2 POSITIVE ALSO. Are you getting Chemo as well? Diagnosed 1 week ago.

I had preventative surgery in 2016, a bilateral mastectomy with diep flap reconstruction and this advice was EXCELLENT!! I wish I would have had this info before I had my surgery. I will be passing on this great info. Thank you and Bless you! 🥰🙏