Gift Ideas for Masectomy

Run the vacuum for her. My mom could not vacuum for almost 3 months after. It was so painful for her. That is better than anything you can buy!

I had a mastectomy last year and the things that helped me the most were my cleaning lady (if she doesn't have one, you can help her with some housework or hire someone for her) and my wedge pillow (bought at Bed, Bath and Beyond). I couldn't sleep laying flat for a very long time and that pillow was a lifesaver. I also had lots of help with my kids (who were 19 months old and 4 years old at the time), but at her age, she won't have to worry about that. I can't imagine going through that surgery at her age, so really, just check on her a lot and FEED her! It is VERY painful and she won't be able to do anything for at least a few weeks. She will be in my prayers.

Make her a lovely dinner- casserole with mashed potato and green beans. People need to rest when they're recuperating and appreciate a beautiful meal. Nice one sweetie.

How about a nice bathrobe? You spend a lot of time in your bathrobe after the surgery (I speak from experience) and having a nice one would probably cheer her up. Give her my best, it's not an easy thing to go thru.

S.

After a surgery for a mastectomy she's probably not feeling up to doing heavy lifting so she could probably use some help with yard work or house work.

What about a pedicure? That's always nice. My mom is 74 and loves pedis. Something to make her feel the beautiful woman she is.

How about a few dinners for her freezer? You could also mow her yard for her.

Feed her something other than a casserole or italian/pasta dish. You end up with 1000 of those b/c they freeze and keep well but after awhile, you'd just love a nice fresh salad with grilled chicken or even nice cold cuts and hearty bread. Something easy but fresh! Can you offer to grocery shop, run errands, water the plants, feed the cat or pick up the mail for her? Taking something off of her plate would probably help her relax and heal more than anything you could give her.

I agree with Janie... bring by dinner, or offer to do a load of laundry or something. Maybe get her some books on coping while she's recovering... something to help her get through it, but something with a little sense of humor as well (I don't say that to be crass, I just truly believe that laughter is the best medicine!)

One of our good friends wives just had a double mastectomy. She threw HERSELF a 'bye bye tatas' party. It was hilarious and heart warming. She was so at peace with her condition, and wanted everyone else to know she was okay and that this was for the better. She took all her old bras and hung them from the trees as decorations, and had a banner that said something to the effect of 'not restraining the ladies' anymore. I'm not saying this is appropriate for a 70 year old, but I thought I'd share. It was pretty funny. Her humor for her condition definately left an impression on me... I hope if I ever have to go through anything like that, I can be as brave and funny about it as she was!!

Make her meals, offer to do the grocery shopping, run the vacuum, do some errands - that stuff will be far more precious to her than gifts. My best firend in the world just had a mastectomy and a bunch of us at chruch have been making meals so every other day meals arrived. She said it was a HUGE blessing. So as a neighbor I'd drop in with a plate all made up for whatever you're having for dinner every so oftern. If she's not hungry put it in her fridge she can heat it up the next day. Offer to mow to yard work so her husband (assuming she's married) can spend his efforts helping her.

Take her dinner and a fabulous dessert.

I have a friend who had a double masectomy a few years ago and we went through the same thing - What to do? Cooking is always a good idea, but something my friend said she really liked was a body pillow. You can get them at Target and they're not very expensive (like $20).

How about a pair of comfy pajamas that button in front so it's easy for her or someone else to change the dressing from the surgery? Books, movies, an offer to do yard work for her, take her to post op appointments, magazines, a soft blanket, a gift card to a store that sells mastectomy bras....

I've gotten Edible Arrangements or a similar fruit arrangement for older family members who have had surgery. The arrangements are lovely and the fruit is pre-cut and a healthy snack when the person's appetite might be low from all the medications and stress.