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Feb 4, 2018 10:24PM
Lunaru
wrote:
Hi Sara,
Thank you for the kind words, but really, I learned all about foobs from the very brave and brilliant women on this site, as well as Breastfree, Knitted Knockers, etc. There are so many creative people here-they inspire me! It is sheer luck that I have avoided many complications because my treatment was minimal due to early detection. My heart goes out to all who have not only had to fight this evil disease, but must endure painful consequences of treatment. Kudos and peace to them.
You are in the SF Bay Area; have you ever been to The Next Step boutique? The women there are so wonderful and supportive. Marita, Tammy, and Julie are very knowledgeable and helpful. After my mastectomy, they really helped me. My surgeon recommended them. They have bras, lingerie, swimwear, plus wigs, hats for women undergoing chemo. They had several breast prostheses in silicone, foam...swim/sport types. They take most insurance too, when you get the bra prescription from your doctor. Their info:
Next Step: 15400 National Ave, suite 120, Los Gatos
408-358-8433
I can wash all the foobs, by hand, and I only had one silicone one start to leak, oddly. I was in Vegas, so guess what happens in Vegas will stay in Vegas. :) I did donate a couple I no longer used...need to do that again. All have held up well. I wear most the three mentioned in last post, plus knitted knocker, depending on what I’m wearing and activity I will be doing.
Bras: I wear quite often because they’re very comfy, but not sexy: Amoena Mona. They will wear out, stretch out, eventually. I have three, worn out four previously. Also have Amoena Isabel, that has lacey bit around the cleavage area, so I can wear lower cut blouses. Just purchased a Bali 3463/8540 non-mastectomy bra and tatas held well in that as well as Amoena Isabel. I have cute mastectomy leopard-print bra, probably Amoena...bought at Next Step. Occasionally wear a Playtex 18-hour 4608. While I don’t own Coobie bra, I do have Genie bras and they do have small opening to insert a foob. Sadly some went in the dryer and shrank, thus aggravates lymphedema when bra is tight. Should donate those. Don’t wear them often. The one I like the most has lacey front. Sport bras are non-mastectomy: Champion maxsupport 1602. I might attempt to sew a pocket.
I tried on some tops tonight and I do have some where it’s not noticeable that I’m half flat, due to the pattern and loose fit. Others that are snug and the top accentuates my asymmetrical front...I think I’d wear a foob with those. I experimented while wearing a genie bra. Anything with a cup would look lumpy, yes? I admire your confidence to go outside half flat! I bet if I did it more, it would get easier? However, if I lost the 20-30 pounds I need to lose, I think it would be enough to minimize difference of my half-flatness.
I think there are breast reduction exercises out there-has anyone tried them?
Uniboob normal...will I ever fully embrace it? Accept it, for sure. I liked my husband’s observation, something like people go thru life and sometimes one needs an amputation and you just try to accept, adapt, and move on. We have a friend with amputated leg and you’d never know it. He hikes and bikes and embraces life. He lost his wife to breast cancer...she was an amazing woman. :(
We lost our breasts, but we can move on...I think it’s difficult in such a breast-centric culture. And yet, so many women get this disease; I think the tattoos project for mastectomy patients was terrific at raising awareness and helping to empower women. Where once there was a breast, now there is art! A badge of strength! Still, I worry about tattoos and lymphedema...does it exacerbate the condition? Maybe apply temporary tattoos?
I go thru periods of wanting to be symmetrical or finding better solutions with foobs, bras, etc. but then those times pass and honestly, most days I barely give it a thought. When I see my surgeon and she tells me of new recon developments, I listen but then decide that, no, I don’t want more surgery. If I did opt for more surgery, I’d want breast reduction on remaining breast. Yet, if I were diagnosed younger, like in my 20s, would I have considered reconstruction? Possibly. In my 40s, though, no. I really didn’t see a need. I was ok with adapting to the change and, foremost, getting cancer-free. For everyone, it’s truly a personal decision and a life experience that we mull over. Maybe it’s really how to adapt this condition to our lives, rather than adapting our lives to this situation.
Hope you find this helpful, Sara-
Thank you!
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