Here is a list of items, small and large, that someone healing from a mastectomy will need after their surgery. Put together a loving, yet extremely useful, gift basket she will deeply appreciate!
Tip #1: If you can find one, a canvas tote or shopper bag would be much more useful than an actual basket for putting together your gift. She can use the tote for her hospital stay, and put everything she wants to take in it before her surgery!
Tip #2: Try to limit items with strong fragrances. Some of the medications can cause nausea and make her super sensitive to scented items.
Tip #3: Mastectomy, lumpectomy and similar chest surgeries actually effect the muscles in the arms as well. So as you are thinking about what to buy her, remember that she will not be able to lift her arms very high for the first few weeks after a mastectomy. So it will be hard for her to reach high items in the kitchen, to wear anything that slips over the head, and so on.
Mastectomy Gift Basket Ideas:
- Mastectomy Shirt
- PJ's - super soft lounge pants
- Mastectomy Chest Pillow
- Lap Blanket
- Fluffy Non-Skid Socks
- Kleenex
- Teeth Wipes (Brush-Ups)
- Hand Lotion
- Lip balm
- Cleansing wipes
- Face wipes
- Pretty Journal and Pen
- Hand cream
- Green Super Food to add to smoothies and juice
- Sheet Face Masks
- Pretty Folder for Dr. Paperwork
- Fun or Gossip Magazine
- Dry Shampoo
- Puzzle Book
- Ginger Mints
- Mint or Ginger Tea
- Dry Mouth Mouthwash
- Dry Mouth lozenges
- Neck Pillow
- Bed Wedge
Did I forget an item that you want to see on the list? Comment below!!! I would love to hear your ideas!
I needed bendable straws be suse my chest was so tight hurt to tilt my head back too far
Thank you so much for all of your genius products and the information and personal experiences you share with your blog readers. You are truly helping a lot of people….those with the diagnosis as well as those who love them. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in November. This is her third time dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis over a 25 year time span – each one has been a primary. Her first one at age 49 was DCIS estrogen pos, 20 years later came the Invasive Ductal triple neg and now, 5 years later, Invasive Ductal estrogen-progesterone pos/HER2 neg. She just had her second mastectomy (JAnuary, 2019) and your products and information have been so helpful. When she had her first mastectomy 5 years ago, we were all a bit unprepared for what the real life needs would be. We learned as we went along. This time, I ordered your chest pillow and drain pocket shirt for her and she raves about how genius they are every day! I believe the pillow is her most favorite item. I gave both items to her at the hospital and she used them there and every day since she has been home. She used my Father’s hospital bed that was already at home otherwise a wedge pillow would have been a must. A small stool to get in her real bed would have been a must without the hospital bed, as well. A couple of other items that I included in her “Boob Voyage” package (my family tends to approach difficult things with a little humor ) were a drain lanyard so she could shower without juggling her drain, a large pair of soft/stretchy/elastic waist jogger type pants, a book that has breast cancer/ mastectomy humor and was written by a breast cancer/mastectomy survivor and some fabric pockets that had a removable adhesive on the back to put inside her regular clothing for her drain so she could expand her mastectomy wardrobe without a large expense. One thing that we truly believe helps during this emotionally and medically trying time is the humor…. it lifts her spirits and keeps things from being so serious and glum ALL the time. Thank you so much for the pearls of wisdom that you share and your products….you are helping to make a difficult, scary situation a little less stressful for so many.
Some items I’ve needed. Is a step stool for getting in and out of bed if you bed is high of the ground