Bra for a Cancer Patient with Right Side Mastectomy !

Medical supply stores. Any local hospital care coordinator can suggest one. Most places will fit one for you to match the other side. I'd give a gift of money and specify what its for. Money to anyone undergoing medical treatment is a hugely appreciated gift. Even if they don't want to admit it. St scary to be sick and have so many outgoing expenses with less incoming wages. So nice of you to want to do this! Props to you. :)

Did she ask,you to,buy her bras? If she did not, please do not try to buy. Offer to take her shopping if you want. She may not be comfortable having someone there. Go to a medical supply store. If they do not have them, they can point you in the right direction. Your heart is in the right place, just tread carefully.

I'm not sure exactly what you are looking for, but they have a gel false insert that will fit inside the bra to even things out.

I saw it at a Susan G Komen race. I am not sure where you buy it.

On second thought, I saw them at a bra store. It was a store of only bras, they had half sizes and the extreme large sizes, so see if you can find one in your area or online.

She needs to go with you to a specialty shop that makes bras to fit people like her. She needs to have the insert weighted so that she is not off balance and cause back problems. Get her into a Cancer Society group Reach to Recovery to help her walk through her unanswered questions from her mastectomy and the surgery on how she feels and how she looks.

The outside appearance of her not wanting to go out is probably from all that she has endured so far psychologically. It takes time to get over what has happened and what it means to you as a person. Some get over it in a few months and others take a bit longer.

It has taken me a long time to get over the wearing of lower necklines and not feel and look like the Nun with everything having a high neckline. My surgery was a lumpectomy and I still had a few issues about myself being.

It is nice that you want to help her but she has to want to do this. Encourage her but let her do it for herself.

the other S.

I would talk to her first to assess her level of comfort with having you help her, having a bra fitter in a store, etc. I would steer clear of the department stores like Kohl's and Sears - they aren't going to have anyone really qualified to help. Even Victoria's Secret has a different market - and our local one has hired a college student I know whose entire background is in camp counseling and restaurant hostessing. She's working for minimum wage and I doubt she's had the training your friend would need! I would think on-line purchases would be nearly impossible.

Instead, try a place like Lady Grace which only does bras, and where there are usually qualified fitters for post-surgical patients. There's not only the fit, there's the issue of tenderness in the area, any reduced range of motion in the shoulder/underarm area (especially if lymph nodes were removed), and generally the amount of trauma to the surrounding tissues. Also, if there's been any radiation, the skin can be irritated. I've had great luck at Lady Grace but it's most helpful if you are comfortable being half undressed in front of a fitter. They are sensitive to modesty and it's helpful if you tell them what you are willing to do (e.g., be touched or have the bra adjusted, or just put it on yourself and have them come back it to check it for you, etc.). Sometimes by seeing where the first bra rides up or puckers, they can make an adjustment and suggest a better bra - but it's harder if someone is so uncomfortable that they can't allow this. Of course, women with surgical trauma and scars and who are just missing their breast are understandably more sensitive here.

She (or you) can also check with her breast cancer center - they often have a list of places to which they refer patients. I'm surprised they didn't already do this but maybe it's in the stack of papers she was given. In any case, a quick call can yield info about local resources.

Also have your friend wear clothes that are really easy to get in and out of, and which are typical of what she normally wears (so she can see how the fabric drapes over the bra, etc.). Don't make it too long a day. It can be emotionally exhausting as well as physically challenging.

If she finds what she likes, have her just buy 2, then live in them for a little while. Then, if she's happy, you can volunteer to pick up additional bras at whatever location gives you the best bargains.

There are several considerations with this. Is she having the reconstructive surgery? is she a regular size girl or a big girl? (I am a big girl it matters) I had a right breast mastectomy. Buying bras is a nightmare. Does she have a prosthetic boob? I have one. I hate it.

So now to answer your question. You can't. I would suggest for at least the meantime you get her some of those cammi's with the bra built in. or what I have been wearing is the front closure bra's made out of a stretch tshirt material. How long ago was her surgery? she won't want a bra digging into a line of stitches. As far as the prosthetic. Most insurance will cover a prosthetic but she needs to go and get fitted for one. She can ask at her doctors office for a reference of where to go to get that. you don't really just buy one off the counter . there are literally hundreds of sizes / shapes / weights / materials they are made of. You don't really know what works for you until you are there getting fitted. I found I hated the ones made of silicon after I purchased it. I wear it only when I have to. Your a good friend for helping with this.

just saw your location. there is a place called tina's closet (bra specialty shop) out that direction. they may be able to help. but they are mega expensive and she will have to be fitted. I got rave reviews about her shop. I did not have a great experience there but I had had the surgery not long before going so that probably colored my experience. good luck

I would talk to your relative first. These bras require special fittings and she should go with. There are stores that cater specifically to women that have had a mastectomy. I think there is still one in Berwyn on Cermak Rd, but I don't know if it is still there. They sell all kinds of bras but also cater to women for this purpose.

Go to your local medical supply store, they are usually associated with a local hospital. Call the local hospitals to find one that sells to the public if you can't find one.

They do custom fitting. They are above and beyond the best I've seen. The ones my friends have bought have lasted and the "breast" inside was lifelike and normal looking.

I would let her buy her own. It seems like all of the newer bras have the cups that stand on their own.. It seems like she'd be able to buy one right off the rack and the cup would be already filled out...she could add extra padding too make sure it didn't collapse.

Your best bet is to look and see if there is a specialty bra shop in your area. You may even try your local hospital as some of them will have a boutique. You are not going to find them in regular chain stores. You can buy inserts that will let you wear a standard bra, but again you need to find those at specialty shops online or if you are lucky to have one in your area.
I typed "mastectomy bras" into Google and a ton of things came up. You can add you city to find something local to you.

Schwartz's in highland park specializes in this. They used to be in Wilmette but moved a couple years ago. They can help fit her properly, if she's up for going with you. There may also be a store in oakbrook, but I'm of sure anymore. You won't be disappointed . They're wonderful!

You're very loving to do this for your family member. God bless.