This is going to be the first of many product reviews I do. I want to pass my hard earned wisdom along to the rest of you. If you are going through breast cancer or reconstructive surgery, or know someone who is, these are my must-have’s for recovery! Trust me, I’m a pro at this by now 😉
The Pink Pepper Company makes the best post-surgery essentials! And as I read about the company, I found out that it’s founder is another Leslie, so of course their products would be great, right?! Anywho, I’d like to feature a couple of their items that I have used after all of my surgeries and highly recommend.
Their Mastectomy Pillow will be your best friend if you have just had breast (or any chest/abdominal) surgery. It has these cut-outs for your arms and is machine washable (some have pockets for cell phones or ice packs). I have always taken mine to the hospital with me and use it religiously for the first few weeks after surgery. You basically just hug it. It helps me remember to keep my arms down and not reach for things I’m not supposed to. It helps when I am hugging someone to protect me. When I have to cough or sneeze, it is right there to absorb the shock, and like their photos show, it is a must-have for the car as it keeps your seatbelt off of all the areas that hurt. My only complaint about the Mastectomy Pillow is that they didn’t have the Wonder Woman fabric available when I got mine! It would compliment my theme we have going over here with all my WW decor 😉
You have two choices when it comes to shirts – they have a t-shirt that snaps in the front and a hoodie. This is totally personal preference, but they do mention that the Drain Holding Hoodie is also good for carrying a heart monitor or other devices in its large, hidden pocket. Personally I have a couple of the Post-Op Mastectomy Shirts and love them. I have several camisoles/tank tops that were given to me by the hospital, but these shirts are by far my favorite. They are much more comfortable, easy to snap, and easy for me to get on and off by myself. I don’t mind wearing them with jeans or leggings to post-op appointments or if I need to go out while I still have my drains. They are also great for sleeping in (which you do a lot of after a surgery).
I love that the Pink Pepper Company is founded by someone who has been through this and has first hand knowledge of how these products are used – that’s what makes them so perfect! I also love that they focus on just a few essentials – two other products they sell are a Shower Lanyard (this is something you didn’t know you would need, but you do) and a Open Heart Surgery Pillow which is basically the same as the mastectomy pillow but sized for a man and with a pocket for an ice pack or cell phone storage. And men get breast cancer too, so I am glad that they offer some manly sized items and colors as well as feminine ones. So if you are wondering what to get your friend (or yourself) who is about to go through breast cancer surgery of any sort, please buy some of Pink Pepper Company’s products (they have great gift packs at a discount!) – your friend will love them and you’ll be supporting another young survivor like myself. ANNNNNND if you mention “Friend of Lesley Letson” in the comments section when you order, she will throw in a free gift! SO go order something today!
Cancermamma 