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gwynlian
gwynlian Member Posts: 4
edited June 2014 in Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts

I had a mastectomy of left breast due to IDC, stage I. I had  implants but it didn't really work that well. I tried the prosthesis, but I didn't like the way it looked or felt. Now, I wear the coobie bra that has some padding, but my breast still looks small with no projection. I feel people are staring at my breast. My family thinks it's my imagination, but I don't. Has anyone had this experience?

Do they ever say anything or just ignore it?

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  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited March 2014

    Hi gwynlian - I'm sorry for the struggle you've had. I can only compare it to when I had surgery and was filled to 200 cc. I barely noticed and I don't think anyone else did either. With that said I would encourage you to repost this is the

    Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy

    thread. The ladies there are so helpful and confident I know they can provide some assistance to you. Sometimes thing get a little lost in the lower threads like this one.

    My grandmother and my mother both had double mastectomies, and I rarely noticed, and it certainly made no difference to me.

    Gentle hug.


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  • Morwenna
    Morwenna Member Posts: 1,063
    edited March 2014

    I honestly think that people notice far less than you would imagine.

    I started attending a deep water exercise class. The first day I tried all sorts of things tucked into my swimsuit, all of which looked terrible, then it was time to go, so I ended up going "flat". My remaining side is DD/E cup, depending on who measures me! 

    After a couple of weeks I tried the idea of a shower "pouffy", which worked quite well ...... until it managed to escape and float away! Luckily I was able to laugh about this, but one of the other ladies asked, "what did you use for the last couple of weeks??" 

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  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited March 2014

    Have you heard of Knitted Knockers?

    Knitted Knockers Charities is a non-profit that exists to provide free patterns for knitters and crocheters to be able to make knockers and help mastectomy patients get freeKnitted Knockers made by volunteers.

    I love my Knitted Knockers! They are light and soft and warm. Unlike my silicone prosthetic which is heavy and cold when first worn, then it later causes me to sweat.

    I wear my knitted knockers inside a regular bra or tucked in the pocket of a mastectomy bra. They are beautiful, and a godsend to those of us with an uneven mastectomy scar.

    image

    I KNOW I could get some ladies in my prayer shawl ministry to make a set for anyone who wants them. I'd try but I can't knit very well. PM me in you are interested!

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  • gwynlian
    gwynlian Member Posts: 4
    edited March 2014

    Thanks, how do I get these knockers?

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  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited March 2014

    If you click on the word "free" above it will take you to a link. I'm going to see if I can figure out how to make these, since I have contacts with BS, oncos, AND expert knitters in my area so I will be able to get the word out, but I am just beginning my investigation into this. Also there is a pattern for these on the knitted knocker info page. Let me know if you are unable to locate any, as I am pretty sure I can put a pair (or one!) on the fast track for you since I know some expert knitters.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2014

    Hi Farmer,

    I'm currently crocheting a pair for my mom. This is my first attempt. I'm using the pattern from the Knitted Knockers site. I've finished the front of the first and hope to do the back tomorrow. I don't usually work in the round and there were a couple of unfamiliar terms but I figured it out. My mom is looking forward to trying them after 20+ years of traditional prosthetics. I'm going to show them to the knitting group that meets at my library and see if they'd like to join me in making them. It costs about $5 per side using a nice soft cotton yarn. 

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  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited March 2014

    Dulcigirl - Good for you! I'm going to try a pair also, though I am not a very good knitter. Let us know how your mom likes them!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2014

    My aunt is also getting a pair knitted by someone near her. Hopefully the two sisters can get together some time and compare. Lol. Cancer runs in the family, but thankfully so does a sturdy sense of humor!!! 

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