Brca2 in the​ 405
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2/20/2016

what to prep at home before surgery

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SI've written about how I spent the few weeks after Christmas and before my surgery applying the KonMari Method to our home.   This really helped me prepare a clean and tidy atmosphere for my post op recovery.  After being stuck in the house for a couple of weeks,  I have now come up with a list of suggestions for what I did to prep along with things I wish I had done. 

  1. Deep clean the house - make sure everything is as clean as you would want it to be, because unless you have a maid or a cleaning partner/spouse, it won't be this clean for awhile.  Clean out the fridge because the people who love you most WILL be bringing by food. 
  2. Load up on your favorite things in bulk - snacks, coffee, tissues, lotion, chapstick, break and bake cookies, etc. I did NOT do this and we ran out of stuff quickly which then just annoyed my husband and annoyed me whenever he wouldn't go to the grocery store to buy more. For the sake of saving everyone from being annoyed - make sure there is enough coffee in the house!!!!
  3. Have the carpets cleaned.  Because,  why not?
  4. Have the dogs groomed, bathed, nails clipped - make sure you have enough food for them.  Make plans to board them or have a friend dogsit.   It's nice to not have them underfoot.
  5. Figure out where you will sit/sleep. 
  6. Place your favorite snacks, cups, meds at counter level so you don't have to try and reach for them.

Now that you've done all that, here are so items that have been crucial to my comfort and recovery:

•   remote controlled lights.  We bought a set off of Amazon and plugged all of our lamps in so I could control them with the touch of a button.
•   neck pillow/travel pillow.  I use mine all day and night.  It keeps the pressure of my upper back and shoulders and helps me nap where ever,  whenever I want.
•   back scratcher.   The percocet made me itch and the back scratcher that Tim got an an office white elephant Christmas exchange has been a life changer.
•   6" ace bandage.   Gave me added support.   I just wrapped my chest over the bra provided to me by my plastic surgeon. 
•   drain dollies.   My dear friend,  Lauren,  found the pattern online and sewed me a set.  I wore mine under my shirts,  pinned to my bra.  What a cute way to hide the drains and comfortably carry them around.
•   small pillows for under your arms.   This relieves the pressure from your drain points and it also keeps you from over reaching your arms.
•   zip up hoodies, front botton shirts,  and loose fitting pants.
•   long cords for your phone and tablets.
•   fun,  mindless activities to keep you occupied while you are awake.   My friend Jaclyn got me the above unicorn themed gifts plus the deck of Hillary cards.  #imwithher #hillary2016

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1 Comment
Beth Shortt
2/22/2016 10:10:53 am

Hi, Christina,
Glad you're doing so well. Wanted to leave a note that Women's Health Essentials in NorthPark Mall carries all kinds of things you never knew existed--zip front camisoles and bras with pockets for drains or prostheses, for example, and the elastic arm bands they often want you to wear which must be fitted. Often part of the purchase is covered by your health insurance.

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    Christina Mallory Chicoraske - a 30 year old, 4th generation Okie, diagnosed BRCA2+ and undergoing a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy.  This is the tale of my journey with hopes to inform and encourage other young women searching for answers after a BRCA1/2 gene mutation discovery.

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