Bedroom furniture > Breast Cancer Treatment: Coping With A Mastectomy

Breast Cancer Treatment: Coping With A Mastectomy

by: Melissa Buhmeyer

As women, especially American women, much of our femininity is centered on our breasts.
No matter where you look, there are pictures, billboards, commercials, television shows, and movies with women with these beautiful breasts and ample cleavage.
The thought of losing one or both breasts, to breast cancer, can be devastating for many of us.
Sure, there's reconstruction, but will it ever really look the same again?
Even if you have reconstruction, you'll never have sensation there again and, for many of us, that definitely affects our sexuality.

I went through two separate mastectomies, for my breast cancer, despite the fact that I wanted them both done at the same time.
Two different surgeons told me that wasn't necessary.
They found out, later, that it was, as I had the same breast cancer in both breasts.
Through these surgeries, I learned a few things about what to expect, and how to get up and running again, after a mastectomy for breast cancer.

The first thing to realize is that, apart from the emotional aspect of such an operation, this is a simple surgery.
The breast is composed, mostly, of fatty tissue and, of course, milk ducts and lobes.
The removal of this breast tissue is way easier than operating on an organ, but carries much more emotional impact for most of us.
Most surgeons will get as much of the breast tissue out as they can to help alleviate the chance of a recurrence of your breast cancer.
You will typically wind up with a horizontal scar about four inches long.
The scar may be red for quite a while but, ultimately, should fade to where you can hardly see it anymore.

You want to be sure to take loose-fitting, button-down shirts (raiding your hubby's closet is helpful) with you, to the hospital, as you won't be able to raise your arms over your head for a while.
You will also need a sports bra and I would highly recommend one that fastens in the front.
They will put that on you after your surgery.
Typically, you should be able to stay in the hospital for one night.
If you're going to have lymph nodes removed, a small pillow, to slip under that arm, will help make you more comfortable.
Check with your local American Cancer Society as they may have small pillows for you.
An extra pillow to hold to your chest, if you need to cough, sneeze, or laugh, can help keep your incision from hurting.

When you wake up, you will have a couple of drain tubes for each side you have done.
These tubes are important as they allow the excess fluid, which your body will produce, to drain out.
If you didn't have them, the fluid would have to be aspirated with a needle.
The drains, even though they're no fun, are better than that.
These drains will have to be emptied a couple of times a day and you will have to write down how much fluid you drain so the doctor will know when you've slowed down enough to remove them.
You may not know where to put these drains under your clothing.
I pinned mine up to the sports bra and that way, they didn't pull when I moved.

When you get home, plan on having someone there to help you for the first few days.
You won't be allowed to reach into your cabinets and definitely won't be able to clean house or pick up your children, if you have little ones.
You'll be sent home with pain meds and definitely take them if you need them.
Studies show that you will heal faster if you keep yourself out of pain, so don't be afraid to take them as prescribed.

If you have a recliner, you might consider moving it into the bedroom as you won't be able to lie flat for a while.
You'll need to sleep in a partial sitting position.
If you don't have one, or don't have space for it in your bedroom, lots of pillows will work, too.
That's what I used.
Just be sure you have enough pillows to keep yourself comfortable propped up.

If you would like someone who's been there before you to visit with, be sure to call your local American Cancer Society and ask for a Reach 2 Recovery volunteer.
This is an American Cancer Society program where they try to match you with one of their volunteers who have as similar experience as you're facing.
This woman will come visit you and will bring you all sorts of brochures and information on conventional treatment.
She will also bring you a list of exercises you can start to do to regain your mobility and range of motion.

This is VERY important.
It hurts to stretch your arm up, after surgery, but if you haven't had reconstruction, and you don't start soon, you will lose that range of motion.
I would recommend starting to gently, slowly reach your arm up ? let your body be your guide ? the day after your surgery.
This is ONLY if you have not had reconstruction.
If you have, let your plastic surgeon tell you when to start stretching.
Push to where it hurts just a little, but do not push too far past that.
Little by little, you'll find yourself able to stretch a little farther every couple of days.

Most of all, allow yourself to heal emotionally, as well as physically.
Some of us just can't look at that incision right away.
That's OK.
Take as much time as you need.
I know I felt like some kind of freak with no breasts and, even six years later, I still do sometimes.
But remind yourself that these scars are your battle scars.
They do not make you less of a woman.
They make you a warrior.

About The Author

Melissa Buhmeyer is a breast cancer survivor and has been so for seven years. She is also the founder of http://www.breastcancer-treatment.us, a site focusing on breast cancer treatment options, news, articles, and survivor experiences.

Home Improvements ? Expressing an Attitude

by: Raynor James

There are many issues to address when doing major home improvements. The overall atmosphere and attitude of the improvements can be a key issue.

Degree of Formality

Certain things tend to go with each other.
Silk, silver, crystal, brass, china, oil paintings in gilt frames, and draperies to the floor have an affinity for each other for example.
Leather, built-in bookcases, old books, paneled rooms, coffered ceilings, and dark wood are another group of things that go well together.
A third such group might be heavy linen, polished cotton, glass and metal tables, woven baskets, and wicker.
There are the usual exceptions, but things that go together tend to have about the same degree of formality. Their color and texture are important, too.

Light vs. Dark

Most people are happiest living in rooms that are bright and sunny in the daytime...

Home Improvements ? Expressing an Attitude

Bedroom furniture > Home Improvements ? Expressing an Attitude

Visualizing Your Home Theater

Visualizing Your Home Theater

by: Parvati Markus

What do the words home theater mean to you? A big screen TV in your living room with surround sound speakers hidden behind the couch, or a custom designed room with every possible high-end audio/video equipment and dedicated theater seating? The choice comes down to your level of use . . . and your pocketbook.

Start with the room you plan to use as your home theater. If it?s your multi-purpose living room, think about mounting a flat-panel LCD HDTV on the wall and finding one of the many artistic solutions for hiding the screen when it?s not in use. Make sure the furniture that houses your audio/video components has a cable management system to hide power cords and sufficient ventilation. Rear wheels on the cabinet make accessing your connections much easier!

There is a large range of possible entertainment centers: a plasma console or wall system, an entertainment center with bookcase or...

Visualizing Your Home Theater

Bedroom furniture > Visualizing Your Home Theater

Trendy Furniture Can Make Or Break A Room

Trendy Furniture Can Make Or Break A Room

by: Dakota Caudilla

Some say that you are what you eat. The same can apply to furniture. You are as cool as your furniture is trendy. The type of furniture you choose, the color, style and look can make or break a room's appeal. But more than that: the furniture you choose to place in your bedroom, the furniture you sleep on or dress in front of, can truly impact on your mood, self esteem, relationships and general lifestyle.

The trendier a piece of furniture may be, the trendier you will feel. Of course, one piece of trendy or cool furniture doesn't always solve the problem of a nondescript looking room, but one piece of furniture will automatically change the feel of a room, be it the bedroom or the kitchen. You'll immediately feel that there's something special in your room and that will automatically improve your mood and help you better enjoy the time you spend in that room.

If you are seeking...

Trendy Furniture Can Make Or Break A Room

Bedroom furniture > Trendy Furniture Can Make Or Break A Room

Master Bedroom Organization

Master Bedroom Organization

by: Hana Lee

In a perfect world your master bedroom should be a haven in which you and your spouse can retreat from the world and enjoy each other. Unfortunately, the same type of clutter and dust that invades every other room in your house can spill over into your master bedroom.

One of the easiest ways to spiffy up your master bedroom on a daily basis is make the bed. It's a simple as that. If you aren't someone who routinely makes the bed you'll be amazed how much better a room will look and how quickly you'll be hooked. A great facelift for a bedroom is also a simple one, it's called a "bed in a bag". These sets come with comforters, coordinating sheets, pillow shams and bed skirts. If you have a visible bathroom attached to the master bedroom it's nice to carry your color theme through to the bathroom too.

Clear off the top of your dressers. As with all flat surfaces these will tend to gather papers too....

Master Bedroom Organization

Bedroom furniture > Master Bedroom Organization

What Is Bad Credit Debt Consolidation?

by: Talbert Williams

Bad credit debt or the clubbing together of debt is know as

debt consolidation. Bad debt consolidation is a generic term

used for all types of debt. Thus you can consolidation

credit card debt or mortgage loan debt. In most cases, one

would also have bad credit history.

On the Internet, there are various options for bad credit

debt consolidation. One can shop around for various...

debt consolidation Bedroom furniture

Bedroom furniture > What Is Bad Credit Debt Consolidation?

Bedroom furniture Breast Cancer Treatment: Coping With A Mastectomy tax help

Bedroom furniture Breast Cancer Treatment: Coping With A Mastectomy spyware

Cleaning Your Computer Will Help It Last Longer And Work Better

by: Scott Dary

To clean your mouse ? The trackball can pick up dirt and dust from your desk and mouse pad. Also, the wheels that the trackball come in contact with get dirty and need to be cleaned. If you notice your mouse "doesn't work right", it may be time to clean it. First, turn your PC off. Turn your mouse over and you will see the ball sticking out of a cover. Look at the arrows on the cover...

Bedroom furniture Cleaning Your Computer Will Help It Last Longer And Work Better keyboard

Bedroom furniture > Cleaning Your Computer Will Help It Last Longer And Work Better

Bedroom furniture cruise

Planning For Moving House

by: Joseph Kenny

If you have just bought or are considering buying a new home, then you will also need to plan the process of moving home. While there are many things that you have to remember, planning them in advance will make the whole move easier and less traumatic. So it is a good idea that, as soon as you know the completion date for your move, that you start planning.

There are certain things that take quite a bit of time...

Bedroom furniture

Bedroom furniture > Planning For Moving House

Bedroom furniture data recovery