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Mastectomy Shopping List: Yes, You Need One

Ellen Goodwin, Artifcts
March 29, 2024

As the co-founder of Artifcts, it’s probably somewhat fitting that I am thinking about the ‘stuff’ of cancer. I learned last year that Goodwill passes millions of pieces of medical supplies and items every year to veterans groups. I get it! You need a lot of special purpose items to provide comfort, mobility, and more for in-home care and to stay engaged in everyday activities. 

If you are having a mastectomy and want to get your ducks in a row ahead of surgery without buying a lot of unnecessary stuff, here’s my shopping list. 

Prescriptions

Fill them ahead and have them waiting along with detailed information on when to take what and for how long. I also wrote the laymen’s name for each one on the label to make it simpler for myself and my husband to grab without having to remember the prescription name.

Other medical supplies

Luckily the total of this all will be no more than $50:

      • Aquaphor. This is required for the gauze pads you’ll use. I was glad I got a large squeezable tube as it was more convenient than a tub.
      • Q-Tips. To apply the Aquaphor to the pads.
      • Non-stick (gauze) pads, 2x3 inch. When my wound vacs came off one week postop, then I needed to use these non-stick pads. Getting the right size simply saves you the step of cutting the larger ones in half. I also realized that the smaller ones have a different sheen than the larger ones. Either one works, in theory, but my skin did not like the smaller ones with a high sheen.
      • Silicone tape, 1.5 inch. Three weeks give or take after surgery, with your plastic surgeon’s approval, you can use of this on incisions that are done scabbing. I bought MEDPRIDE Easy-Tear Silicone Gel Tape Roll.
      • Vitamin E. Two weeks post-op my plastic surgeon directed me to start on a daily does of Vitamin E, 1000 IU, for the next three months. Always consult your doctor before adding even a vitamin or supplement to your routine.

Clothing

You will absolutely benefit from some adjustments to your wardrobe for the first weeks and likely much longer (at least as far as bras are concerned).

      • Post mastectomy shirts with drain pockets. I consider this medical as what would you do without this to hold your drains!? Get two shirts so you can easily rotate through them as long as someone is there to do the laundry. I spent less that $20 on each.
      • Soft bras. Ditto, "medical" in my mind, because your plastic surgeon will likely require you to use them. If you have a wound vac, this does not apply until one week (or so) in once the plastic surgeon removes it. My plastic surgeon recommended the Fruit of the Loom Women’s Front Closure Cotton Sports Bra, 3-pack, and said I would need to order two sizes up because the sizing is strange. So if you are a 32 get that 36, 38s go for the 42, ... and thank me later!
      • Button down pajama tops and regular day-time shirts. You’ll need these once you are no longer living and sleeping in your post mastectomy shirts to manage the drains. Around 3 weeks I was able to put on a regular shirt if needed but given that I was still not moving my arms with ease and needed to redress my incisions twice daily, button down shirts were simpler.

One pillow to rule them all

There are so many pillows marketed to mastectomy patients. Some are for under your arms, some go across your body as you sleep, others are for under your knees, again, as you sleep. 

In the end, there is only one pillow beyond my normal bed pillows that I liked in the slightest and it was the heart-shaped Axillapilla®. Why? The tiny bead filler means it is super soft and can mold more gently to your body than other fillers. The tiny loops on each side were strangely helpful as well to easily carry them and sometimes to hold the pillow more securely to my body.

The bolster and wedge pillow I bought were wasted investments. I’ll find a way to donate them somewhere so others can benefit from them.

Apart from the pillow, I will say this - had I to do it all over again, I would have borrowed or rented a recliner. Beyond the complexities of pain and of drains and wound vacs, sleep was my top impediment to recovery. I would wander my home during the night from bed to a chair to a couch seeking sleep. It was misery. Seek out a recliner (and still get the Axillapilla pillows)!

Creature comforts (also make great gifts)

Want to help yourself to a little comfort amid what’s an overall miserable experience to reach cancer free state? Or maybe loved ones are eager to send you something to express their support?

Combine potential side effects of prescription meds and being off your normal diet and activity with the fact that you can’t shower properly and have limited arm mobility, your skin and confidence can take a beating. These indulgences become less indulgence and more good mental health care:  

      • Hand lotion. I chose a Lala Retro™ Whipped Cream from Drunk Elephant, which my daughter immediately coveted. I let her use some as a thank you when she washed my hair. Ha. It absorbed nicely and worked.
      • Skin exfoliators. Any sugar scrub you like will do the trick.
      • Meal certificates. Skipping shopping and meal prep is a great de-stressor for the whole family during these long trying days of recovery. When loved ones far away went to help, suggest a local restaurant that has takeout!

      • Books and streaming services. You can’t move much. You need to nap. You also need to kill a lot of time. Some balance of books and tv/movies will help. Ask friends for their favs and stock. Try e-books and reduce the ‘stuff’ you’re accumulating, too.
      • A professional facial or pedicure. At home masks, yes, but here’s where a trip or two to the spa once you are through the worst of the recovery phase would be well worth the investment, if feasible. (Great group gift!) You can't move your arms enough to properly scrub your face, and you generally feel yucky, so go for it! Likewise, you’ll likely only be interested in this once your drains are out, but then… in might feel good and doesn’t require much walking or movement.

Artifcted necklace on mobile phone

 
 
I did not list jewelry, because I wouldn't say that's my first thought. But I have to say, this necklace from a friend who went through the same surgery and treatment was spot on. It made me smile. It reminds me my friends have my back. 

Any "must haves" from your own experience that I missed? Let me know, and we can add to this article. Reach out to Editor@Artifcts.com.

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© 2024 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Preserving and Sharing Your (Sports) Collection

Reading time: 4 minutes 

Do Fall weekends find you cheering on your home team? Whether it’s football, baseball, swimming, or soccer, chances are you’ll catch a game or two either in person or with the 21.4 million viewers who tune in to watch their favorite Sunday night matchups.  

Fall may also find you longing for adventure, whether it’s a short drive across town or across state lines or a flight across the country. It’s a great time to travel before the holiday rush, and an even better time to take in some of our country’s museum-worthy sports collections.  

To inspire your trips, we’ve compiled the list below highlighting some of the best sporting collections our country has to offer. And in case you find yourself staring at your own sports collection, and you're not sure how to keep track of and share it with others, we've prepared tips about how to Artifct those collections, even if they are not destined for a museum.  

Roadtrip Worthy Sporting Destinations

The National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY is one of the most-visited sports museums in the US. The Museum boasts over 40,000 artifacts, including a baseball thrown by Cy Young in the first modern World Series.  

A close second is the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina. One of the key features of the Museum is a banked speedway modeled after Talladega Superspeedway, featuring 18 cars and a salute to 46 tracks!  

Want to view artifacts AND try your hand at your favorite sport? The International Tennis Hall of Fame and Museum in Newport, RI is adjacent to 13 grass courts open for public play. When not serving up a winning shot, you can watch video highlights from some of the greatest matches in history and learn about Hall of Famers Billie Jean King and Pete Sampras.  

A short drive from Newport, RI will take you to Springfield, MA and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The Hall proudly displays artifacts from when James Naismith introduced the sport to his YMCA class in 1891 (!) in addition to interactive exhibits, skills challenges and decades of basketball history.  

Building and Preserving Your Museum-Worthy Collection 

Aside from having amazing collections and rare artifacts, museums tell stories—the stories of their sport, their legends, and the fans that make it all worthwhile. We get a glimpse into the greats, an understanding of their firsts, and maybe even come away with a newfound appreciation for the past times we love.  

Museums preserve and safeguard artifacts for the next generation. But these artifacts, like the everyday objects we all collect and accumulate, cannot talk. There is no way to know by looking at an object that it was a game winning ball, or a record setting car. Absent the context, the details, and yes, even the story, legend, and lore, all artifacts are just that, artifacts, aka ‘stuff.’  

There is no way to know by looking at an object that it was a game winning ball, or a record setting car.

So how do you build, preserve, and share your collection so that, just like the museums, the story, history, and memories live on? Since we’re Artifcts, we’re a little biased, and our first response is going to be “Artifct that!” whatever ‘that’ may be. It takes time and effort to tell the story behind your collection (whether it be sports memorabilia or art!) and add in the details, the who, what, when, where, and why that will one day (if not today) matter. We made it easy and enjoyable.

We’ve compiled tips below to help you get started. (Go deeper with How to Artifct That Collection.)  

      • Start with the basic facts. What is it, and how did it come into your possession? Does the item have any financial value? If in doubt, request a free valuation from our partners at Heritage Auctions.
      • Next, get nostalgic. Think about your collection this way: If someone were to inherit your collection, are any pieces of particular value to you? Why? 
      • Include photos and videos to augment the description/story. Add audio recordings if you want your family to hear the story the way that you only you can tell it, complete with fun facts. 
      • Now try looking at your collection and natural groupings within it. For example, photos, trading cards, and gear may be three groupings. Start and complete Artifcting for one group before moving on to the next. 
      • Overwhelmed? Start by taking a video of your collection to ensure you have a record of it. You can then dedicate a certain amount of time per day, week, or month to capture details with individual Artifcts for each piece. 

No matter how big or small your collection is, no matter if it is sports ‘stuff,’ or other ‘stuff’ entirely, take a moment to capture at least one piece, one story, one memory. Your family (and maybe even one day a museum!) will thank you.

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© 2024 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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What to Do with All That Sports 'Stuff'

Reading time: 3 minutes 

Fall is nearing, and depending on where you live the air might already feel crisper, the leaves may be starting to change color, and pumpkin spice has undoubtedly infiltrated your daily routine. Fall also brings many back to school and back to sports, not to mention the the start of the NFL season and the MLB World Series.  

Our co-founder Heather’s youngest went back to school last week and in seven short days has started training with her cross-country team, preparing for the start of her Interscholastic Equestrian Association show jumping season, and tapering her long runs ahead of her first half-marathon. Heather’s first thoughts? Where is all that STUFF that goes with it going to go? 

You know what she’s dealing with, no doubt. Probably some ribbons and medals along with event t-shirts, pennants, school spirit wear, and more. The fall sports season kicks off the fall ‘stuff’ season, or at least it seems that way in our founders’ households. 

The fall sports season kicks off the fall ‘stuff’ season.

What to Do with All That Sport Stuff...

Sport ‘stuff’ falls into that tricky category of the ‘tough stuff’ in life. We probably all have it, and yet, what are we supposed to do with it? We save it for the memories, the stories, and the sentiments, but one day, hopefully many years from now, the next generation in our family is going to be staring at that sport stuff wondering, “What next?” Or, in some cases even, “What is this stuff?”  

 

We offer the tips below to help you come to grips with all that sports ‘stuff’ in a way that honors the history, stories, and memories, while also freeing up some much-needed space in your home.  

  • Overwhelmed with old sports equipment? Dedicate an hour a day sorting through what is what and determine what if anything is still usable and whether or not it will be used. Just because it is usable does not mean anyone will actually use it. Donate the usable equipment you no longer need and recycle the rest. Check with local schools and sports clubs. And always Artifct especially sentimental pieces (first cleats, winning baseball from the home opener, etc.) before donating them.  

Short checklist of sports items to preserve

 
 
CLICK THE IMAGE to download your copy of our Wild World of Sports checklist for help getting started. 
  • Buried in medals, ribbons, and medallions? Struggling to remember what they all were for? Take it box by box. Using our Artifcts app, photograph the most memorable or significant mementos and add the details—the who, what, when, where, and why—and share with family and friends. Enjoy reminiscing over those shared memories! 
  • Stressed by the tens of thousands of sports photos on your phone? You’re not alone! It’s easy to snap a photo of the winning goal, or a quick video of the game winning catch. But then life happens. We forget and those photos end up years back on our photo reels. Our tip? Dedicate 15 minutes every Sunday to going through those old sports photos and Artifct the ones that have a special story behind them, add video and audio too to make the photo come to life!  

You may also enjoy A Virtual Impossibility: Keeping Up with All of My Digital Photos -->  

 

A treasured family Artifct complete with video! Sorry, it's private. 

...And Is Any of It Valuable? 

 We’ve heard from our members over the years that sometimes they hold on to the sports ‘stuff’ in hopes of it being valuable one day. We read the headlines about record setting prices on the Babe Ruth "Called Shot” jersey to Muhammad Ali’s title winning belt and we think, “Mmm....maybe one day the [insert prized sports paraphernalia] will be worth that too.” 

Just look at what happened earlier this month when the LA Dodgers released a limited edition bobblehead of star player Shohei Ohtani and his dog Decoy. People were lined up for hours in hopes of scoring one of the bobbleheads, only to immediately turn around and sell them on Ebay. 

Screenshot of news headlines about Ohtani bobblehead sales

When in doubt, Artifct your sports ‘stuff’ and use our “What’s It Worth” feature. Our partners at Heritage Auctions will provide you with a free valuation (make sure you fill in all the details for accuracy!) to help you make an informed decision—keep or sell? And at what price?  

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© 2024 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Three Peas in a Pod: Sports, Stuff, & Stories

If you are a parent, a friend of a parent, neighbor of a parent, or contemplating parenthood, you've probably noticed that sports consume a vast amount of time & energy for parents and child athletes alike not to mention money and storage space for all that gear. And then, they get older, and the equipment larger and more expensive.  

We’ve found ways to cope and find the humor in this sporting reality. Surely you've seen bumper stickers like "swim taxi" or heard someone say, "I'll be working from my {barn} office," as Artifcts Co-founder Heather Nickerson often quips as she departs for her daughter's horse riding lessons. 

You may already be using Artifcts as your top ally in keeping track of the key moments, good luck tokens, awards, gear, and other memorabilia you can't (yet?) part with.  

broken baseball cleat without laces    child in hockey jersey and gear standing outside an indoor rink

Click the image to view the baseball cleat or hockey jersey.
 
 
The owners tell us neither of these has been given up (yet)!

Inside the World of Swimming 'Stuff'

Today we're focusing on that last bit, the hall of fame worthy gear, but not from a parent. We're pivoting to the sport of swimming and the Texas Swimming & Diving Hall of Fame.

Charles Logan spent the better part of 12 years as the Director of the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center at The University of Texas at Austin. And lucky for all who enjoy the phenomenal Olympic-level center, Logan has long had a passion for collecting swim memorabilia. Much of his collection now resides in frames, glass display cases, and special exhibits at the Texas Swimming & Diving Hall of Fame, with notable contributions from Texas athletes and their families. 

Picture of an old postcard with a caricature of a swimmer on the front

 
 
 
 
This Artifct is part of a private swim memorabilia collection. Click the image to view the Artifct.

To clarify, the stuff resides at the Hall of Fame; until very recently, the stories did not.

Those stories were locked in Charles' memories of a lifetime of collecting and chasing histories. That of course meant that when massive crowds visit the facility for NCAA competitions and championships, Olympic qualifying events, and regular long and short course seasons (not to mention hours and hours and hours of practice) the swim memorabilia left people to wonder, "What is this?” “Why is it here?" and “How does it all connect?” And for all those who never visit the Hall of Fame in person, it’s simply lost history. 

Joining forces with Artifcts, the 'stuff' now has stories and is ready and waiting to inform and entertain Hall of Fame visitors and maybe even inspire a whole new generation of swimmers. We invite you to a virtual tour of some of those exhibits on Artifcts! 

black swimsuit with white T on it  Vintage USA Olympic Swim Team Luggage, bag and suitcase    vintage swim patch collection on a swim jacket

 
 

And if you're visiting the Texas Swimming & Diving Hall of Fame, be on the look out for Aritfcts QR codes sprinkled throughout!  

Artifcts QR code on a swim mannequin

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Have a space in your life like the Texas Swimming & Diving Hall of Fame making you say, "Hmmm?" Contact us at Hello@Artifcts.com to discuss personal concierge options and non-profit and enterprise support. 

© 2022-2024 Artifcts, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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