Useful Items (for recovering in hospital and at home)

• chair cushion (the kind that has the back & arms; provides extra support on the couch)
• organic deodorant (not required but an option if you have lymph nodes removed and want to be extra careful with that side)
• headbands & ponytail holders
• surgical camisole (with pockets to hold drain bulbs)
• button-front shirts; zip-up hoodies & zip-up sports bras (for when you can't lift your arm over your head; I wore my zip-up hoodie over my gown in the hospital)
• loose, stretchy tanks & nightgowns that you can step into (for when you can't lift your arm over your head)
• comfy stretch pants or PJ pants (i wore these under my gown in the hospital and at home while recovering)
• books (for reference or insight; see my book list)
• lotions, lip balms, Evian facial spray & cough drops (for dry skin & throat from dry rooms or from treatments)
• antibacterial hand soap & body wash
• multi-position (L-shaped) pillows (made it possible for me to sleep in my own bed at night)
• scented wipes (for "sponge-bathing" until you can shower and even between showers)
• notebook & folder or binder to keep all your notes & paperwork organized
• basket to keep everything you need near you while recovering (lip balm, prescriptions, iPod, etc.)
• professional hair blow-out (kept me from having to fuss with my curly hair)
• baby powder (used as dry shampoo to keep hair from getting greasy while straight for weeks)
• box of tissues
• box of gauze brought home from hospital
• activities to break up the usual activities (i made a couple friendship bracelets; played Scrabble with my husband & painted my toe nails)