Lymphedema and bras?
Hi everyone, I haven’t been on this forum for awhile, I have a question. I’ve been wearing new supportive bras for a few weeks ( no underwires), discovered since wearing them my arm , surgical area and breast is swelling and tender. Have been having lymphatic massages every 3-4 weeks as a preventative , started dry brushing, and I have a sleeve to wear during the day when I feel the need, or if I know I’m going to be using my arm a lot doing gardening etc. Unfortunately I’m a 12E, so going without a bra makes my back sore by the end of the day. Wore a crop top today, arm feels better, but I need more support due to my breast size , looking for recommendations and ideas that has worked for you. Has anyone else been down this path? Thank you in advance.
To bra or not to bra
I have been wondering why my healthy breast is a bit achy. At first I put it down to the fact I twisted my torso before Christmas. Then I got concerned maybe it was a cyst so I did the self examine thing but it seemed okay, however I decided to ask the onco when I see her on Friday. This morning I was talking to hubby about how I can’t currently wear a bra because when I do my mastectomy side slightly swells and feels uncomfortable by the end of the day. At that point my head went into thinking mode, unusual at the best of times. I lifted my sore boob and the pain instantly disappeared. I let it go and the pain returned. My uni boob likes to be supported and I haven’t been doing that. I am wearing my ah bra today but even that makes me uncomfortable on the mx side later in the day. Oh dear, which one should I favour?
New Bras, etc to my door
I know we're not supposed to mention particular businesses on this forum but I know there's a lot of women newly diagnosed here and some live in SA. I've just spent an hour with the lovely Krista Kennedy from SA Mobile Breast Care. I first found out about them when her mother saw me in hospital after surgery. This is the third Krista has travelled to my out-of -the-way abode and she did so at this busy time of year just so that I could spend the last bit of my health fund mastectomy garment allowance for the year. She and her mother operate out of Adelaide but do travel all over SA at different times of the year. It is so nice to be able to try different bras, prostheses, etc in the comfort and privacy of your own home and it does make a difference to your emotional well-being. (It also means that if you're not sure a bra will suit a particular top or dress, you can try it on with it.) For the record, I have slightly overspent this year's allowance but I now have another bra, a pocketed sports top and another top that will be good for work or just looking a little dressier. I'm sure that there are other mobile bra businesses in other states but can only speak for this one. Well worth finding out if you have someone who will come to you.