All things bras & prosthesis
Comments
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That's very interesting Momine, but a shame, because there can be so much comfort, in support. I had no idea how active people were in my area, till it happened to me.
We have a McGrath Breast Nurse in our area, who is funded my the McGrath foundation. Cricketer Glen Mcrath's wife passed from BC and this foundation was set up in her name. They have put Breast Nurses, all over the country.
The breast nurse approaches each woman who is Dx and gives out vouchers for gas, organic foods and lunch in some of our local cafe's, even a Mx bra and a pair of softees, all with funds raised. She gives info on the number of BC groups which exist in the region and sets up an introduction, depending on where the lady lives. Apart from all there other duties, these nurses keep us in the loop, with new research or anything that is going on, that we may be interested in.
I went to my first meeting before my surgery and have continued to go, because I was asked to become involved in the running of our local group. It was great for me, because I had only been in this little coastal town for 4 months when I was Dx, so I didn't know many people at all. That has changed now!
We are a town of about 2000 people and we now have about 20 members in our little town. We meet once a month for coffee and a catch up, we usually have a speaker, every other month and we occasionally go out for lunch or to a movie. We are different ages and stages, so for me, who doesn't have any ongoing treatments, I can be there, if any of the others need any help while having their treatments, or some who are doing it all alone, may just need some contact with someone who has had the same surgery, who understands.
We can often have a meeting where BC isn't even mentioned, or there can be another, where we have a spirited conversation about nothing but BC. It isn't unusual for a whole lot of us to reveal our different forms, for a new member, who has asked about them.
There is a lot of fundraising that goes on here, for both, the groups and for BC research. We are a predominately boating town, so the Yacht and Cruiser Clubs do a lot to raise money. There is no stigma here, about BC, in fact, I have been asked to speak at various fundraisers, because people have a genuine interest in understanding and helping local women, who have been dx. I guess it is a lot to do with it being a country area, people are supportive. There is a much bigger group in the next big town, which will have its 20 year anniversary, this year.
I doubt all this support would have happened had I still lived in the city, but I don't know for sure!
Sorry to have hijacked this thread!
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M I think it is great that you have such a group. It's good to have others to talk to who have been thru similiar situations. I was SO THRILLED to meet Bobo,,,, you have no idea!!0 -
I'm a DD, I highly recommend being fitted, I found they have different feels, some are firmer, sit higher, like a younger breast, others match a more mature breast, some are smaller at the base and some larger, my fitter cals it the footprint. So,especially if you're an Amazon (uniboober), you will want to male sure the prosthetic breast closely marches your remaining breast, or it's pretty noticible!
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Ariom, that is wonderful and very interesting.
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esklader and Ariom,
You are right! The newer version of the Amoena 132 does have a cover. Thanks for alerting me to this. The original 132, which I bought several years ago, didn't have a cover. I'm really glad they've made this change, as up until now, I try not to wear the form directly against my skin because that means I have to wash it more often. With a cover, I wouldn't have to worry about that. I'll edit my description of the form on BreastFree.org! By the way, to be specific about the mineral used to weight the form, it's barium sulfate powder.
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hi momine,
Gee, if you have the energy, maybe you could start your own support group? Sometimes I like to forget that I had breast cancer but that's not reality. Years ago, back inthe 1970s when my mom had breast cancer, it was the same here. No one talked about it. They called it the big "C." Thank God we now have the internet, plenty of clothing to buy and this discussion group ! I hope this group fills a need for you.
Best,
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Betty, yeah, I know, but I doubt I am really the right person for it. Something to think about though.
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momine. Wow that is wild that it is taboo~~~~~~~ we had a big national pink ribbon awareness push backin the 1980 s or so that really helped with the acceptance and public awareness of breast cancer. Now I really do not want everything to be pink ribbons at my house and I don't want pink ribbon tee shirts but I am grateful that the public is more accepting Well more aware anyways. I do support breast cancer research.
Ok. Here is my theory about foobs. My amonena swim form is the perfect foob for me. Size 8 . The other recommended sizes according to the size charts were too big (and too expensive). But the amonena foob is concave on the back so I thought hummmmm. Why does this one fit? Ok looked at my chest and realized that I have a well developed muscle on the chest that sticks out. I am left handed and had left mastectomy. And so that makes sense. These foobs are probably measured to a flat chest and I have a big ole muscle there is why the concave thing works. The muscle is not pushing it out. Am I making any sense? It is very early this morning.
Night Ariom. Sleep tight. I always think of you when I get up. Wonder what you did today????
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Hi 02! That's so nice of you, to think of me!
I know someone else, who wears her Amoena swim-form all the time too for the same reason you do.
The ridges and the concave back,of the form, are there to stop the slurping sound you can get, with some silicone forms, when you swim! lol It's great that you have found a form, that really suits you.
There are some forms made specifically for women with the concave areas and there are partials that can be sewn into bras at the strategic point to fill the concave area. Did you see, or try the Amoena Energy? It is a bit more concave and has 3 points, so you an turn it around to fit the gaps properly.
It's nearly bed time for me! I didn't do much today, had a crappy night last night and didn't sleep well and I have a RA flare at the moment, so I can't use my hands too well. The house and yard being a mess while the remainder of work gets, done bugs me!
I have another week of tradesmen in and around the house and then hopefully that will be the end of it! I can't wait to get things put away and setting up my little studio!
LindaK, I agree about getting fitted too. I like "Amazon", much better than "Uniboober" LOL I am a D on the remaining side. I don't know about other brands, but Amoena, which is the most popular and most available brand here in Aus has 3 different protrusions, in their range. I tried on a lot of their range initially, at my fitting to get the size and the protrusion right, but I buy online from the US because the prices are so much better.
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Overcoming, we do have the Komen race (although it is a recent arrival) and recently there was even a panel discussion on TV with several women who had breast cancer. So there is some progress.
But in terms of talking about it in daily life, the prevailing attitude is that if you finished treatment you should just forget about it.
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I like Amazon,, but seems like most people associate it with the company today as opposed to the women. I have described myself as a uni-boober to my friends.Swim suits! OK, here's what I did. I had gone to a friend's pool before the beach trip. Wore my new mastectomy suit and my bath poof foob. The suit is so cute and the poofy makes me look completely even. However! I found that after just a short time of wearing it, the cut seemed to annoy my swollen LE armpit area, and although I had the poofie inside the pocket, the area over my scar was red and irritated. Can't have that with LE!
So when I went to the beach, I wore one of my old fave bathing suits No pocket. I looked a little lopsided, but I had also bought one of the SPF long sleeve shirts to protect from the sun. So I wore that over my suit and I don't think you could really tell at all. Plus, honestly, I really didn't care! Comfort was the name of the game for me. I'm a 34D, BTW,,, not sure really how I'm a D,, cuz I think I seem small, but there you have it.
Good night, M! Sleep well and hope you are feeling better tomorrow.
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Before I got a swim one, I used an old worn out foam one. I also didn't have a pocketed suit so I pinned it in place. Gave a little bulge and with a t shirt over it no one knew.
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The one time I never wear a foob is when swimming. I'm really lop-sided, but not too self conscious. Not sure why. I also find really cute suits and the second hand stores, then when the swimming pool kills them I'm only out a few dollars. I figure, should we take that long awaited Hawaiian vacation, I'll buy a fancy suit then. I do have a couple off swim forms, but wear them as regular forms, they're a lighter, or one is just shapped better for one of my bras.
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Hi everyone...I was just getting my bathing suit out to try it on and my swimform...guess what it is now yellow..not that anyone will be able to see it...of course, it is 13 years old now..but it has been great if I have a mastectomy suit...but a little too heavy for a regular suit tat I sewed in a pocket..so I took and old mastectomy bra and cut it so it would fit in a regular swim suit and sewed it in...it is alot sturdier and it works!
Hi Ariom...we have a similar group of BCO ladies who live in the San Diego area...we try to get together every month or so..very flexible and fun group.
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Linda, Do your swim forms migrate upwards? My silicone form looks like it's in good shape so I'm thinking of getting swim forms (1 every 6 mos) and using them for everyday. My microbead form is better since I added some weight, but it could use more to keep it from riding up.
I was looking at a travel site and saw an ad for a bra with a security pocket. I'm a uni, so my thought was to use the pocket in the real side for an emergency stash. DD travels to 3rd world countries and sews money into a hem.
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I use my mast side to carry my passport and credit cards when I travel outside the US.
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Interesting uses for a bra pocket!!0 -
It is a hoot when I am asked for my passport...like at the hotels..just a minute please...don't know how to say that in many languanges
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Lisa, sounds like your group is like the one I go to, I find it a lot of fun. I have become friends with a couple of the ladies and we catch up quite a lot. I am having lunch with one today!
I have never heard of the security bra..interesting, and I haven't hidden anything in ,y remaining side pocket, but I will keep that in mind.
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i have no hidden pockets in my mastectomy bra other than the one for the prostheses..if I put my passport or whatever behind the prosthises it is flat against my chest and keeps it from curling..
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Lisa,
Great idea for passport, cash whatever!
Best,
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When in a crowed noisy place, I put my phone on vibrate and in my bra. You can really feel it in your chest.
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I'm in heaven! I bought a Genni Bra and discovered my size 6 silicone will fit inside. It droops a bit, but so does the other side. I'm an old lady after all.
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Gennie bras are great. Nice and soft.0 -
NICE! I always liked & wore Genie bras, before & after BMX. But the Genie Milana is my fav. I just add a bit of fiberfill to each cup behind the liner. I have so many in pretty colors, love the lace overlay.
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Vintage gal, What is the lace made of? Is it scratchy at all? I often have problems with lace, so I've hesitated about that bra.
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Wren, I also love the Milana bra, I have it in black. I dont feel any bother from the lace at all. I like the other colors but our Walmart only had the black so I wanted to try it first, I do like it.
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It is soft and stretchy, & only a tiny area at the V neck of the bra would touch your skin.
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kitty dog, love the phone pocket idea!
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is there a pocket in the genie bra or do you just put the form in the cup itself and hope it's all tight enough? I love that purple genie bra that vintage gal is modeling!
Thanks,
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