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Mastectomy
Post-surgical, front fastening bra — I have a couple of bras of this style and have worn them since about a month after my surgery. They have pockets for holding prosthetics, Knitted Knockers, or generic poofs, and the front closure is pretty much essential when you’re healing from surgery.
Handful bras — These have become my favorite bras post-mastectomy! They don’t have underwires, which can stab you in areas that are numb after surgery and cause further damage. They have several fun colors and designs, including both everyday and sports bras. They also have a rewards program, as well as pad inserts — especially helpful if you’re a bit uneven after surgery. Use this link and get $10 off your first order.
Mastectomy swimsuit — It can be surprisingly difficult to find mastectomy swimsuits, and even more difficult to find cute ones. But Hapari has BEAUTIFUL suits in a variety of styles that are incredibly flattering! You can mix and match styles based on how much skin you’re comfortable showing, and a number of styles have pockets for prostheses.
The HealinComfort Mastectomy shirt. It’s a front-opening, Velcro-fastened shirt with pockets for drain tubes. Whether you’re having a mastectomy, going in for radiation treatments, or having reconstructive surgery, I highly recommend this shirt! You can read my full review of this product here.
Car seatbelt pillow — this large pillow wraps around your seatbelt to provide a soft barrier between the rough edges of the seatbelt and your sensitive incisions. You can also get a smaller version that’s perfect for when you have a chemo port in your chest. Truthfully, I’m five years out and I still have a port pillow on my seatbelt — it’s just so much more comfortable!
If you have lymph nodes removed during your mastectomy, I recommend having a compression sleeve on hand. (Technically you’re supposed to wear a sleeve every day, but talk to your surgeon about this.) I’m a fan of the Lymphediva compression sleeves. There are a few brands you can use, but these sleeves are reasonable prices, and you can get them both as solid colors and as fun designs. Be sure to get measured by an occupational therapist so you know which size to order!
Chemo
Immun-Aid and Germ Fighter essential oils — I used these oils in my diffuser not only to help prevent illness, but also to help freshen the scent of the room. (Use this link to get $10 off your order of $25.)
I actually used quite a few essential oils during both chemo and radiation. Check out this post for other oils I used and how I used them.
Super soft hats like these offered by HealinComfort. You can read more about my experience with hats in this post.
Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo — this shampoo helped relieve the pain and acne caused by hair loss and chemo
Biotene — this mouthwash helps prevent sores, which can be common on Adriamycin.
Good Wishes headscarves — you can read more about my experience with Good Wishes in this post.
Radiation
The next four products I used together following the guidelines on this website. Scroll down for the image titled “A Natural Protocol for Radiation Burn.” I won’t testify as to the accuracy of the rest of the article, but the ingredients and regimen listed in the image sounded legitimate based on my other research.
The Radiant Wrap and Radiant Robe were designed by a breast cancer patient for breast cancer patients. You can read my reviews of these products — here for the wrap, and here for the robe. (Use code BETHD5 for 5% off your order!)
Shirts with UPF properties (think Eddie Bauer, REI, or other stores with outdoorsy products). I was recommended the Pacifica tank by Athleta, which I loved! But sadly they don’t make that style anymore. The UPF properties help protect your already sensitive skin from the sun’s rays.
My friend highly recommended My Girls radiation cream and had great results with it during her treatment. This was after I had already gone through treatment, but I recommended it for my Mom during her radiation. She also really liked the product! A benefit to this one, as opposed to the lengthy regimen I did, is that it’s only one product and doesn’t require time in between for the layers to absorb.
Retreats
From educational conferences to finding new friends to just wanting to get away for a while, there are numerous retreats out there designed for cancer patients and survivors. I have a post that lists quite a few of these organizations.
Books and Publications
Because sometimes you just want to read some personal stories from others who get it.
Learn Look Locate — a beautiful website created by a fellow survivor to educate people about breast cancer. Check out the blog section where you can read stories from dozens of women all over the world
Wildfire Magazine — this quarterly magazine includes stories, poems, and pictures from some incredible women! Also, the editor April Stearns is lovely and a fellow survivor.
Elephants and Tea — a magazine specifically for those with adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer.
Radical — this book is very information-dense as it covers the history of breast cancer and its treatment in America. But it’s fascinating and well-written!
Not Your Usual Boob — a memoir from romance author MK Meredith about her own breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
No Cure For Being Human — this is a fantastic read, both witty and raw, from colon cancer survivor Kate Bowler.
It’s Not Supposed to be This Way — from Christian author Lysa TerKeurst, this book gives hope when life disappoints us…like with a cancer diagnosis.
Driving Miss Norma — this is a sweet memoir of a woman who decided say “yes” to adventure after receiving a stage 4 diagnosis.
When Breath Becomes Air — a beautifully written memoir from a young neurosurgeon who passed from lung cancer.
Faith Even Chemo Can’t Kill — a humorous, hope-filled memoir about getting through breast cancer treatment
The Pink Unicorns of Male Breast Cancer — humorous and raw, I really enjoyed this man’s perspective about having a “woman’s” cancer!
I hope you found some of these breast cancer resources useful for you, no matter what phase of treatment you’re in.
