Swim wear recommendations

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This maybe a premature question as I still have chemo and radiotherapy ahead of me but I love to swim.  I'm not great,  or fast but I previously swam once a week for about an hour of steady breast stroke and I need to know that I will be doing this again.  I have had a single mastectomy without reconstruction and axillary clearance and would be interested in recommendations for swimming costumes and breast forms suitable for use in chlorinated water that don't cost a fortune.

Hopefully this time next year I will be back in the pool!

  • Harvestmoon

    I regularly go to aqua exercise classes  and have got knitted knockers from

     www.knittedknockersuk.com.    they are great and are free, although you can make a donation.  They have both normal and for swimming. They are very light which I find a bonus. I also initially had ones from the company below, they were fine but heavy and one of them split. They were also I think expensive. I had a double mastectomy, no reconstruction. If you are a single breast only you might prefer the heavier ones as they might match your other side better. But I do recommend the knitted knockers and personally much prefer them.

    https://www.amoena.com/uk.  I have found this is the best place for swimwear but I generally buy when they are on sale.  They are not chlorine proof hence why I buy the ones on sale!!

    Good luck the chemo isn't great but it is  do-able and there was at least on my chemo ward a very supportive atmosphere from patients, through to reception staff, Tea-ladies and of course the nurses. Take any offers of help and kindness and when at home if you are worried or even just wondering ring the chemo nurses and they will always get back to you, at least that was the case where I was.  Take the medication they give you, especially the anti-sick pills, don't think, oh I will see how I go, it's not worth it. My worst thing was UTIs/ cystitis, at the very first sign get a prescription from your GP. Be kind to yourself, my treat to me was a silk sheet and silk pillowcases. If you don't want to splash on the silk sheet do go the the silk pillow cases. Amazon has them at pretty good prices. Macmillan run some free sessions and support groups. The best I went to was the makeup, pampering session, put yourself down for it. 

    xxx

  • Thank you so much for the information,  I will definitely try the knitted knockers, I have already got a swim one and a regular one from them but haven't tried them yet.

    Will also check out the swimming costumes,  thank you.  

    My oncologist has recommended that I try the cold cap as she says my hair type is suitable so I will also look at the silk pillow case as I have seen other posts on here recommending them.

    Thank you for the chemotherapy advice, not sure when it starts but have been given basic information re number of sessions,  drugs being used, side effects etc.  I have been told to be prepared with plenty of questions for them on 2nd January which has made my brain go into overdrive thinking about it xxx

  • A company called Boost  based in  Cornwall  do Inserts ideal for swimming. They  are on line.Open weave plastic type  very light weight. 

  • Thank you, I  will have a look x

  • I use Nicola Jane, fantastic swimwear, breast forms for whatever your need. Online is terrific. Good luck 

  • I’ve used Nicola Jane too, great quality if a little pricey. I also have a lovely one from M&S. I believe the big supermarkets like Asda and Tesco also sell pocketed swimsuits. 
    I bought a Truelife breast form which was pricey but gives me confidence in shape. Very comfortable.

  • Thank you x

  • Thank you everyone,  purchased a Nicola Jane swimsuit and Trulife activity breast form which I tested in the pool last week. (Both in the sale) Giggled like a kid when the air bubbles came out of the breast form Grin  Having my last swim tomorrow before chemo starts on Wednesday.