My wife Petra B and I did some volunteer work Wednesday evening. We helped to assemble “necessities bags”. We were slated to work three hours but so many people showed up to help that it only took about half that time, including having a snack. 😉 It was great to see women and men too, smiling and helping with such a sense of purpose. Most (if not all) of the people there had been touched in some way by the subjects of breast cancer and mastectomies, and of course want to help others going through this difficult time and process.

So what are necessities bags, you ask? Well, the short answer is that they are tote bags given to mastectomy patients and that they are full of supplies that will or may be useful during and after treatment. According to the National Necessities Bag web site, the bags are “reusable totes filled with wound care, comfort and practical items, which are given to women facing mastectomies, through their breast cancer nurses and surgeons and some breast cancer organizations. The bags are especially useful if given to the patient about a week before surgery.”

OK, so what’s in the bag? And why??

The items in the bag were developed by a woman who had had a mastectomy and then realized how unprepared she was for this traumatic and difficult surgery and recuperation. Lots of thought and care went into the selection of items in the bag. They include:

Soft, cotton, men’s A-shirts, which can be pulled on rather than stretched over the head when arms are too sore to lift. The A-shirts keep bandages in place, provide some compression, and provide a place to pin drains. If stained, they are inexpensive and can be tossed, and are great under other clothing.

Two small, cheery, soft, handmade pillows. Women who are recuperating from mastectomies can’t get enough pillows! These are great seat belt barriers, and are used to prop up aching arms. Women find comfort in the fact that the pillows are handmade by other women who care.

Extra bandages, bacitracin and paper tape for homecoming, if not supplied by the hospital and to save a trip to the drug store.

A pop-top water bottle that is kept by one’s side, when reaching for that cup of water on the bedside table is too painful. Lip balm and some sweet candy for dry mouth and cracked lips after surgery and anesthesia. Pocket tissues for tears and personal wipes to help keep fresh until showering is allowed. An emery board just because!

A colorful, two-pocket folder, to organize all of the paperwork the patient will collect. A small notebook and pen to jot down questions for the doctor, doctor’s orders, keep track of fluid amounts from drains, and express feelings and thoughts. A pre-stamped and addressed notecard to Necessities Bag Sacramento, so we can collect feedback from patients to ensure we are doing a good job.

The Woman to Woman Guide for Mastectomy, written from experience in plain language about preparing for and coming to terms with the surgery.

For more information or to make a donation or to volunteer your time, visit these web sites:

Necessities Bag – National web site

Necessities Bag – Sacramento web site

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