Comfy inserts/knitted breasts!

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nnnnnnnnno
nnnnnnnnno Member Posts: 5
edited June 2014 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
Comfy inserts/knitted breasts!
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  • nnnnnnnnno
    nnnnnnnnno Member Posts: 5
    edited June 2012
    Hi ladies,

    I personally am not a breast cancer survivor, nor have I ever known anybody who has dealt with breast cancer or mastectomies. However, I'm really interested in helping women who have taken the step to remove their breasts. I'm a little bit new to this kind of topic - please let me know if I'm being insensitive.

    For knitters, there's novel idea online for replacement breast inserts. The gist of it is that you can knit a plush "boobie" for a mastectomy patient instead of having them get a silicon fitting. It's pretty cute, you can make rainbow boobies, embroider a tattoo, pierce it, nipple or no nipple, it's something you can personalize.

    I'm extremely interested in volunteering my time and providing these to those in the area who would want them, but I have a few questions and want to ascertain that this kind of service is really needed.

    How is the silicon replacement? Is it comfortable? Do you like it? Would you prefer a knitted insert? I've heard that there is a long wait time, insurance issues, and a large cost with the silicone, is that true?

    If a knitted breast insert was available at free or very low cost to you, would you be interested?

    Also, any suggestions or criticism you might have, I would love to hear. I want to pitch this to a few local hospitals (Orange County CA area, A LOT of breast cancer patients around) to see if they would be interested in me providing knitting classes so we can get more of these or something.

    Thank you :)

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  • MiniMacsMom
    MiniMacsMom Member Posts: 595
    edited June 2012

    I would be interested especially in summer. my concer would be the washability of it? Could it be made of breathable cotton or bamboo thats preshrunk so you can toss in the washmachine. washing and drying of some other non silicon types of boobies i find annoying. That would be an added plus for me.

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  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited June 2012

    Knitted breast forms are a nice idea for some, but not a novel idea. They've been around for a while. Here's a link to one site that makes and sells them: http://www.titbits.ca/v1/tb_shop.html. Women can also knit their own, with instructions provided: http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall05/PATTbits.html.

    I personally don't care for the knitted forms, as they look too bumpy inside my bra. When looking for a lightweight form, I tend to prefer foam, weighted or unweighted. 

    I'm really not trying to discourage you, though. There might be some who would enjoy knitting classes to help them make their own. 

    Barbara

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited June 2012

    Insensitive - nope doesn't even come up to that level. The fact you first posted in the Reconstruction section clearly shows you are not to be take serious. Other than trying to get personal info from us.



    You say you are not a Breast Cancer Survivor and know no one who is but later say your area has "a LOT breast cancer patients around". If there is anything sincere. In your posts then go to Navigator (or what ever they call them) or to the local ACS (American Cancer Society). They have credibility - you don't at all.



    "I'm really interested in helping women who have taken the step to remove their breasts." That is so callous - we took a 'step' to remove a monster of a disease that would have killed us had we not had it removed via surgery (usually also chemo and rads and often AI' for 5 yrs or life also). Not to simply 'remove our breasts'. Lympectomy is often an option also.



    There is no way I would want a knitted 'foob'. I will give you some info based on me. I was given a 'fluff' pros (fiber filled) by the local ACS to use for a while healing (they are very soft and quite inexpensive if bought). About 3 mths post surgery I got my gel prosthesis. (Immediately after surgery there is swelling and need to wait a while to get the best match/set.) I love it - it is so comfortable I don't really 'feel' a difference. I can not address the cost/insurance as my care is through VA so I get what I need when I need it.















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  • nnnnnnnnno
    nnnnnnnnno Member Posts: 5
    edited June 2012

    I'm sorry for any affront or callousness. No, I'm not a breast cancer expert but I came here for the information and guidance first, I didn't barrel ahead brutishly. I think you might've misread the tone of what I said. I'm not planning on working alone or providing these out of my house, I was trying to guage the general need for these in the community and wanted to contact the local hospital that has a ward for breast cancer patients if there was a demand. I don't have the credibility of the ACS but I do have the human compassion and the resultant drive to help somebody if it's possible. My skill set includes knitting and if this was a way I could help out, this is what I would do.

    I don't know breast cancer survivors but I've had a handful of family and friends struggle through or die of different cancers - I know about the accompanying emotions and struggle. 

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  • River_Rat
    River_Rat Member Posts: 1,724
    edited June 2012

    nmedinah, there are many women that silicone prostheses don't work out for and there are many who don't have insurance and can't afford to buy them.  I think that you will find that some will gratefully accept your offer.  In addition to cancer centers you might ask at community oncology practices and try to contact local breast cancer support groups.

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  • nagem
    nagem Member Posts: 353
    edited June 2012

    nmedinah, Please don't be discouraged. I think it's a lovely idea to knit or crochet prostheses for those who like them--and to teach women how to make their own. I could see it functioning as a kind of support group. I recently bought a pair of crocheted prostheses from a woman on Etsy and have gotten a lot of pleasure from wearing them. They look like folk art rather than a prosthetic limb, so they cheer me up when I slip them into a sports bra. There are many different tastes and issues with prostheses, and you won't please everyone. But for the women like me who prefer fiber to silicon, efforts like yours are welcome. 

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  • nnnnnnnnno
    nnnnnnnnno Member Posts: 5
    edited June 2012

    MiniMacsMom -

    They could definitely be made of soft breathable yarn and are easily washed. Depending on the yarn you can wash on delicate in the machine and then shape to dry. I was hoping to involve Michael's or some other large craft chain store if this gained any traction to donate yarn. Barring that I'm sure there are other sources of donation.

    Erica -

    Thank you for the feedback :)

    River_rat -

    Thanks for the feedback and support. I'll look into contacting those centers as well.

    Nagem -

    The idea of a support group is intriguing. It's good to hear about the crocheted prostheses you bought and how much you enjoy them. Thank you so much for the encouragement!

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited July 2012

    Kicks, it's nice to meet another who receives their care through the VA, as I do.

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  • christina0001
    christina0001 Member Posts: 1,491
    edited July 2012

    I would contact your local ACS and discuss your idea with them. They would probably know best what the needs of your community are.

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  • OBXK
    OBXK Member Posts: 791
    edited August 2012

    I've read about the Knitted Knockers group. I usually just go without a bra.

    Another project a church near my hospital does, they make small pillows about 6x6 to help with the seat belt after biopsy or surgery.

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  • trudy-erl
    trudy-erl Member Posts: 38
    edited August 2012

    Thanks for discussing knitted ones.  This is what I believe....right or wrong it is my opinion, to which we are all entitled to.

    If you have a unilateral mastectomy, and you are small breasted, you have no problem with gel or any other prosthesis. HOWEVER, If you are large breasted, that is entirely different. I've been struggling for 4 years and have read-up on all these various prosthesis and have tried several (not that they are cheap). No matter how I persevere, I cannot do it. My natural breast feels like no weight, the prosthesis feels like I have 5 pounds of flour there. It throws me off balance; when I don't use any prosthesis I'm just great. Frankly, after all this time and all the effort and discomfort I've had I'm ready to throw in the towel. Besides, the discomfort......they are never even in size , one is lower/or higher, one tends to be more sagging (I'm not 30), the whole dang thing is out of whack!! I've truly tried, starting with 1 hour a day and slowly increasing the time. I have been to mastectomy shops that should have been the best...re: fitting and so on. I've gone to over-sized tops....forget the T-shirts I so loved, and wear a spandex camisole or tight muscle shirt under the top. At least I'm comfortable and don't constantly worry if one is higher,etc., with usually a thin, 3/4 sleeve blazer or similar jacket on top. I have great restrictions in clothes when I want/need to dress up for a more formal function.....that being my biggest problem. I definitely would be so willing to try a knitted one, infact this gives me some hope. You have a great idea, don't let anyone knock it down.

    I'd sure be willing to be your 1st customer :)

    thank you for thinking of us............you're more than kind.

    N>B>  Would so appreciate some feedback from large breasted women re: prostheses, breast forms, and whatever else is out there  :)

    Thank you one and all.

    Trudy

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  • nnnnnnnnno
    nnnnnnnnno Member Posts: 5
    edited August 2012

    Ladies,

     I know I haven't posted back here in a while but I am still considering going on with this idea. I'm currently visiting family overseas and plan to develop this plan more when stateside at the end of September. The replies I've gotten here have given me hope that I might be able to help somebody, somewhere :)

    Trudy (and anybody else who is interested) -

    I will gladly personally knit you two knockers for nothing, and ship them for nothing. You can definitely be my first customer :) Let me know if you're interested, and if you have any preferences in size, color(s), nipple or no nipple, etc.I can link a picture if you like.

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  • crystalphm
    crystalphm Member Posts: 1,138
    edited August 2012

    I like the idea, I appreciate what nagem said, they would not feel "medical" and could feel fun.

    We need fun. I would love to see them done in some of these new softest yarns, maybe the bamboo one, now that would be a luxury!

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  • lanagraves
    lanagraves Member Posts: 596
    edited September 2012

    I think this is a great idea. I purchased the heavy, uncomfortable, silicone ones and I hate them. I have retreated to wearing the foam ones I had while healing from mx. I would love to have some knitted ones. I wish I knew how to knit and I would make some. I think it's a great idea.

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