Vent: A few thoughts on mastectomy bras.

Ariom

If you get a chance, take a look at the Amoena website. I have found that most stores don't keep the whole range that they have to offer, but they have some really lovely, very modern and sexy bras and panties to match. 

Amy, have you seen the  Valletta Camisole or T shirt that Amoena have? they have a bra inside that is very comfortable. I don't know if they would be right for you with crutches, but worth a look.

amygil81

Thank you Ariom. I do have an Amoena camisole. I wear it to
bed sometimes, usually without a
prosthesis in it, ironically. My breasts, now my remaining breast, is on the
larger side, a C+/D-, so I need more support than a camisole can provide. I
developed my breasts right around the time I acquired my disability and my crutches,
so it’s not really something new. But adjusting the loss of my breast is a huge
challenge, as we all know.

Ariom

You're welcome Amy! I am just wondering if you have the Valletta Camisole or T shirt, or if it is one of the finer lingerie camisoles from Amoena. The only reason I ask, is because the Valletta has a really adequate bra inside, which is designed for wearing with silicone breast forms and I believe, goes up to about a large size 24. They are designed to hold the largest of silicone breast forms.

Like you, I am also a size "D" on my remaining side, but I can wear any of my silicone forms, in either the T shirt or the Camisole with no sag. I have also started wearing a weighted foam form, more often these days. These forms are actually designed and made for the "leisure" market and for sleeping in, but I have found them to be the perfect "foob" for me as every day wear, in either of these clothing items, I have found that they are so comfortable, I don't notice I am wearing anything. They are cheap and for me, the reduced weight of the form, suits me really well. I don't know if it would be of benefit to you, but perhaps worth a look.

I understand how hard it can be to find items that are suitable for wearing with comfort, with any disability. My Husband is a C5/6 Quad from a Hang Gliding accident 37 years ago, so we have the challenges of finding suitable things for him to wear in a wheelchair. Then with me losing a breast, there was more research and searching for suitable items, lots of trial and error, with all kinds of clothing items and different "foobs". I have found these camisoles and T shirts to be great core wardrobe items that I can wear under any jacket, shirt or cardigan. This company also makes a seasonal range of clothing and pajamas, all with the bra inside. You can often pick up these items on sale, or new on Ebay for ridiculously low prices.

All the best!

amygil81

Ariom, that’s a tough one for your husband and you, his being a quad. My heart goes out to you both.

I’m an above-knee amputee myself, from osteosarcoma at age 13. I’ve tried prosthetic limbs over the years, but nothing has really worked well. So I get around primarily on crutches.

I lost my left breast in 2000 to DCIS, stage 0 like you. I had a chest wall recurrence under my mastectomy scar in 2009, making me stage IIIb. I spent most of 2010 in treatment. So far, I haven’t had any more cancer, knock on wood.

I sometimes feel superficial, spending time thinking, "hmmm, what should go in my empty bra cup today?" I think I pay so much attention to my bras and foobs and clothing as a distraction from worrying about the cancer. All of us survivors have to come to our own terms with that.

Best to you

Ariom

Hi amygil! I am sorry to hear what you've been through. Having a recurrence is everyone's fear. I had a scare recently, a lump under my Mx incision, but it was biopsied and found to be a cyst. 

I understand what you're saying, I have made the clothing research, into a hobby! I was always interested in fashion, so this is just a different path.   

Thank you for the kind words. Fortunately, Colin hasn't let his disability stop him from doing the things he enjoys. He uses a manual chair, has always worked, is an inventor and designer,. He drives his own car and is a champion sailor.

You would understand, when I say ,we have been dealing with his disability for so long, we have developed ways to do things when we travel, and it's just the two of us. It hasn't stopped us from doing too much, over the years. He is an inspiration and has been a fantastic support for me, through this.

I wish you all the very best for the future!

angelia50

I never used it but, after seeing the mastectomy cami, I did buy a genie cami at Walmart for like $15.00, which looks very similar to the one that my insurance had to pay $60 for, minus the pockets. Just wanted to let everyone know because I had seen some people say they had used genie and loved them.

msphil

hello sweetie, I felt the same way early on, so I did and do just that I sew pockets in my bras after purchase, been doing it for yrs, I am a 20 Yr Survivor(Praise GOD), msphil(idc,stage2, 0/3 nodes, L mast, chemo and rads and 5 yrs on tamoxifen)

msphil

msphil again, oh and forgot to say I have so many, pretty colors and styles, because I buy them and put in pockets my self try it, pretty easy, good luck.