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Hi everyone! This is my first time ever joining a support group!
My beautiful aunt will be getting a mastecomy soon and I'm looking for something pretty and feminine to give her! She always loved dressing up and looking good or sexy and I would LOVE to give her something she can wear that will make her feel good and womanly again!
My mom is going to visit her this summer...she lives in Italy! Eventhough I've seen other gift ideas, I know her and I just have my heart set on lingerie, a bra a nightie or something feminine but comfortable!! Also, I'm not sure if bath stuff is good to take on a plane!
I've seen some name like Amoena, Anita and others but I want to know what is the best way to go! What do others prefer! If I have to replace something lacey for something comfortable, I understand! And maybe even something that maybe is not lingerie but anyone who's been through this thinks is a must have!
Anything you say will be much appreciated!
Much love, moms!
xx
Hi everyone! I got so into it when I started getting responses that I forgot to tell you "what happened"! First off, I'm overwhelmed by the response and just realised that I never got a chance to read that there were even more responses! (I was new when I started and I actually couldn't find my question anymore! Haha
I want you all to know that you're ALL appreciated and I had to give you all a flower! All beautiful, great responses! I found two local mastectomy boutiques and found a tank that is meant for post-mastectomy! But I was concerned that she's in Italy and my mom would give it to her when she visits! She said if my aunt doesn't like it, just make sure tags are on and money back! How sweet!
Thanks again ladies!
xx
O., I have had a mastectomy. I can tell you the things I found most comfortable afterwords. You don't say whether she is having just one side or a double. I had just one side. So forever after nothing will ever fit right again. sigh.... But having said that. A friend went and bought me several of those cami type tops. they have built in bras which I wear under everything. Some of them are plain and some have lace etc.... for night wear you want things at first that are not form fitting. a must for the first few months after the surgery is things that button down the front as she won't be able to reach her arms up and around to button or zip the back. and depending on the after treatment may need to have a port put in. button up the front makes it easier for the chemo stuff. sports type bras that have the hooks in the front are good. soft cotton and nothing scratchy. nylon might make her itch so be careful of that also. also depending on how invasive her cancer is (mine was bad I have a big scar that goes from middle of my chest to under and behind my armpit) sleeveless might be uncomfortable for her for a while. your a good niece to think of this for her. also you didn't as about this but I will tell you that something that helped get me through is a great book called Sexy Cancer tips. Sheryl Crow wrote the forward for it. Get it and send it along with her. It will make her laugh and cry and every emotion in between. and trust me you try as hard as you can to be strong and make sure everyone knows that your ok and this is just something to get through. but this book gets some of those emotions out of you that really need to get out.
I wear a very hard to find size - being busty. One thing I discovered is that good lingerie stores are hard to find. I order all my bras from Lady Grace -- they have an amazing staff that is extremely knowledgeable and a great website. I looked and they happen to have a section for "post surgical" :)
http://ladygrace.com/mastectomy-bra-post-surgery-under-ga...
They have the Amoena brand you mentioned.. they have bras and they have breast forms. If you have any questions I encourage you to call during business hours, I've found the staff to be extremely helpful.
If you decide to do bath products.. I got some LUSH bath balls for Christmas and they smell AMAZING. Plus, they aren't a liquid to transport.
http://www.lushusa.com/shop/products/bath/bath-bombs/
I hope you get some great ideas. :)
I would think that something silky and not see-through/lacy would probably make her feel sexier. Is she getting a single or double mastectomy? If it's a double, I would think that any lingerie or major department store would have some really nice silk/satin nighties that would be perfect.
For a single mastectomy, I'm not really sure if they sell special products.
I hope you find something perfect.
Nordstroms does some great things (at a huge discount or I thought my friend had gotten something free there too??).
Also, check online - there are many charity sites willing to help out (even to do the patients housecleaning for free - during treatment).
Many prayers and good luck!
what about a gorgeous scarf to tie around her head for when her hair falls out?
My mom went through this a few months ago. There is a gal in your area that makes small pillows that she donates to cancer wards, etc., for mastectomy patients. (They are to cushion them from the seatbelts in the car.) This was something we never thought about that was a godsend to my mom. You might call your local hospital or cancer center to get one for her.
Our cancer center/hospital also has a really great gift shop that is specific for this need and has some great stuff. You can also check out www.tlcdirect.org, or PinxWear.com.
Your aunt is lucky to have such a good support system. It makes a HUGE difference.
I know Land's End has a lot of swimsuits that will suit your purpose. Perhaps not for lingerie, but it's nice to know these people won't have to give up swimming.
As someone noted below, Nordstrom carries (or at least, used to carry) mastectomy bras and lingerie (that have "pockets" in the breast area to insert a prosthetic). However, you will need to find out if she is having reconstructive surgery immediately after her surgery, or if she will be using an inserted prosthetic. If she's having reconstructive surgery, then you don't really need special mastectomy clothing, but just regular (nice) lingerie. If no reconstructive surgery (the route my mother chose), then most likely she will be fitted with a prosthetic breast and then you should definitely look for the mastectomy-specific items, hopefully you'll find something very attractive at Nordstrom or on-line.
A Total Woman
12743 Valley View Ave
La Mirada, CA 90638
###-###-####
This place is amazing, they specialize in providing all of your requests and if they don't have it they can get it. They fit you based on your true size and can work with anyone, very professional and very understanding based on whatever your need may be. They can even ship you whatever you need and the charge is minimal. Give her a call and let her know what you are looking for and she can make all kinds of great recommendations, I have been going there now for quite some time. I normally never respond, but when I read this post; I just had to because I have been where I didn't have the right piece of accessory and until I went there, I was looking for a needle in a hay stack, but now me and my entire family go there, even the younger teenagers and after they left there, they texted me to thank me. Take care and God bless you for helping family.
I had a Komen Breast Cancer fundraiser about a month ago and Nordstrom's came to do bra fittings. They also have a complete line of bras and lingerie for mastecomy patients. I don't know if it is online, but the store at North County Fair carries the line.
