Hello to you all
I am now 73 years old. I had breast cancer (oestrogen + tumour of 2cm) over 20 years ago. It was misdiagnosed for 5 years. My treatment began 19 years ago and I have never had a recurrence. It was an initial lumpectomy and radiation with a little chemotherapy (I decided to stop that early).I opted for a purely prophylactic double mastectomy a year or two later. Whether I needed it or not I will never know.
The reason I have joined this group is to give people my experiences with prostheses. After plenty of trials and expense I now keep things very simple.
1. I buy mastectomy assisting swimsuits and cut them at the crotch. I enable rejoining there by sewing two lots of large press studs at the ends. This allows for toilet visits. Some light prostheses can be inserted in the cups because they are kept down and in place by the swimsuit-cum-bodysuit. There is then no need for heavy expensive ones. I don’t know why such suits are not made by people selling mastectomy items (I have suggested it).
2. For everyday use I do away with the bodysuit. Instead, I wear double pocketed cotton shirts and insert a tissue or small hankie in each pocket. If the pockets are of a reasonable size (normal, but no need to be extra large) no one realises that you have no breasts. It’s so much more comfortable than anything else.
I hope this is of use to people and that my experiences will be passed on.
