Domestic work and household responsibility during treatment

This depends on the type of surgery and how you are healing. Many surgeons suggest avoiding repetitive pushing and pulling for a few weeks, and longer after reconstruction. Ask at your follow-up visit, and start with short spells, stopping if you feel pulling or pain at the wound.

Lifting a child is often one of the first things women want to do. Early on, sit down and let the child climb onto your lap instead of lifting. Your surgeon can advise when it is safe to lift again, usually once the wound has healed and drains are out.

Scrubbing and wringing clothes is hard work for the chest and arm, and detergent can irritate skin during radiation. It is sensible to hand this over during surgery recovery and radiation, and to use a washing machine or help where possible afterwards.

You can eat well-cooked meat, fish and eggs. The extra care is in handling them raw when your white cell count is low. Wear gloves, wash hands and surfaces well, or let someone else do the cleaning and cutting on those days.

Normal daily use of the arm does not usually cause it. Sudden heavy strain, burns, cuts and infections in that arm may raise the risk for some women. Build up slowly, protect the hand and report any swelling, heaviness or tightness early.

Choose the one or two tasks that matter most and let the rest wait. Do them when your energy is best, often in the morning, and sit whenever you can. A short walk or rest between tasks often helps more than pushing through.

Share the doctor's advice with them in plain words, or bring a family member to an appointment. Ask for help with specific tasks rather than in general. A counsellor or social worker can also help if expectations stay unrealistic.

Strong fumes can worsen nausea and harsh products can irritate sensitive skin and nails during treatment. Use gloves, open windows and milder cleaners, or leave toilet and drain cleaning to someone else, especially when your blood counts are low.