Stuffing My Bra with My Brother's Sock: After My Mastectomy at Age 27

Sounds to me like the girl is one of those who will never see the benefit of letting go of the little stuff.  Some don't.  You chose to see the better side of things and to appreciate every moment of life.  If you ask me, yours is the way to be.

 

The sock thing was pretty clever...  I un-stuffed a throw pillow because the fiber fill was soft against my still tender surgery site.  Most of the time I just went lop-sided.  The mastectomy bras aren't too bad.  Some are sort of pretty.  They tend to come a little higher under the armpit so make sure you've completely healed from the drains before you get fitted.

 

Take care. 

 

 

 

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I could totally see the picture - your sweet fiancé, his best friend, his best friend's fiancée/devil in disguise whining and b**ching about the alignment of the tables and the spiciness of the food, and you: itchy, hot-flashy, and squirming around with your brother's socks in your bra! Thanks for the entertaining post - laughing is good, good, GOOD for all of us. (Have you ever thought of becoming a writer...?)  - PJH
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Hi Natalia - I must say you have control!!!  I don't know if I could have sat there with Ms. Devil and kept quiet.  We have such much more appreciation for things and some people do nothing but ***** and gripe about everything from a broken nail to I don't know, misaligned tables in a restaurant!

 

I am proud of you for not responding in a negative way.  You are a shining example of a classy gal!  Good for you!

 

I've been having hot flashes for several years now, and sincce chemo they have gotten so much more intense - I can barely stand them.  I have to get up and literally run to the bathroom (if i am work) or turn on my desk fan and shove it down my shirt!  Luckily my co-workers are used to my antics so they just laugh and get me a rag!

 

Keep up your great attitude - it certainly makes life easier for you and everyone around you!

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Glad to see you're doing well after your mastectomy.  Time flies, before you know it you will be where you want to be.  I know it doesn't seem like it now.  You know when I had my breasts removed I never wore anything.  It's about how secure you are with yourself.  My husband loved me regardless.  I never wore hats or scarves.  People actually thought I looked better without anything.  Now going through my second reconstruction.  It's actually interesting.  People are excited at work to see how my expanders grow everyweek.  For chemo, try eating watermelon, fresh ginger tea and popsicles.  It usually will help with the tastes in your mouth.  You'll be surprised you will probably like things you didn't like before.  When you're done you will probably not be able to stand the site of things you had during chemo.  April will be my one year anniversary since I finished my chemo.  I didn't have to do radiation though.  But I see it everyday, since I work in the medical profession.  You are still an inspiration to me.  I'm here if you want to talk day or night.  Remember you're never alone!:))))))))))

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During chemo, I was anxious about how my 2 year old would react to seeing me bald so I bought an expensive wig that looked exactly like my long hair. To my horror, the first thing my baby does is to yank off the wig. It was the best thing he could have done for me. He didn't care at all and just saw mom. So many -- too many -- things change because of cancer but, if we are lucky, some of the best things in life don't change at all.

 

Agree with PJ -- you should be a writer Natalia! Make a scrapbook and publish it. I'll be the first in line

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Natalia,

  I understand what you mean about how you feel everyone is looking at you.  I'm glad your up and around, and going out. And I understand about the low-cut tops. Everything is low-cut, v-neck etc. I don't look good in sleeveless so I'm really limited.  But I did want to mention. I took my daughter with me one day.  She mentioned what she does with the low cut tops for work. She puts a cami underneath them. They have ones that are a high cut, they go straight across. And you know, it doesn't look bad. I like the ones with the "shelf bra" in them. It helps to keep things in place.  I will mention with a double mastectomy, the Jodee wideband bra is nice. It doesn't ride up on you, and it keeps things "in balance".  So you may want to try that for now.  If you need any addtional help to get you through the transition that will take you to your reconstruction, just let me know. My family has been doing it for quite some time. Sad as it is, we are getting good at it.  Keep smiling kiddo, and just enjoy life!!!

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You are blessed with the vision that only people with their lives layed out in front of them, suddenly open and vulnerable.  Now you know what is truly important.  Better yet, you know what is important and you have love and support at every angle.

 

We are all here for you, Natalia.  We have all been there and completely understand.

 

And just in case you know someone who can knit, this fun and fanciful pattern from KNITTY.COM will make you laugh! 

http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall05/PATTbits.html

 

with love and adoration to you!

 

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Natalia, you are such a brave girl.  I had some of the same feelings after my mastectomy at age 40.  It really makes you realize that there are much more important things in life than all the daily inconveniences we go through.  Keep your chin up and stay positive.  You can make it through this!
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Dear Ms Hernandez:  You can get gel bra inserts at bra specialty stores.  They're more realistic than socks.  Best wishes,

Violet

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Natalia,

You are a brilliant writer! I'm not sure if you meant it to be funny or not, but to quote you, "...How about I have hot flashes from chemo, Indian food is making me even hotter, my wig is itchy and hot, I have my brother's sock in my bra..." It truly made me giggle. I have friends who mindlessly ***** and complain about how much they hate their hair and how they are not happy with the way their boobs look, and I don't think they realize who they are saying these things in front of. No biggie. i was definitely a girl that did that before this happened, too. :-)

 

Anyway, have you registered with your local American Cancer Society? As soon as I was diagnosed I did. They sent me a packet and very soon after,  someone came to my house and gave me TONS of mastectomy bras, forms--all for free! My reconstruction started immediately, so I never really used them but one time. They are a 34 C. I would be MORE than happy to send them ALL to you.

 

ACS also gave me two free wigs. Plus they have a program for chemo patients called Look Good, Feel Better where they give you all kinds of make up and a wig, as well other stuff that is helpful to us. You may have already heard of them, but in case you haven't I just wanted to let you know help is out there. Same goes for the wigs, if you need some, I have 6! I will upload pictures of them if you are interested.

 

Also, CancerCare.org will reimburse you for your pain meds and any cancer related drugs up to $300 or $350, not sure which. They will also send you a check as soon as you register with them for like $100 or $150, it's been a while , so I can't remember exactly.

 

I have been blessed with so many people that helped me find these resources I would have otherwise not known about. I just want to help someone the way I was helped. :-)

 

Anyhoo, hang in there and take care! You can email me anytime if you need someone to talk to.

 

Keri 

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My dearest Natalia!!!  You are soooo funny...That is such a great play by play!!!  I have gone through it and really want to choke a sister...LOL  You will laugh at this as well....I went to a benefit last week (bowling) and here I am, double mastectomy, 30 pounds overweight, not sure what my expanders are doing...bowling next to the prettiest Hooters girls I have ever seen!!!  Did I mention that my hair looks like GI Jane too.....LOL  You are so awesome...I imagine that your brothers socks and the whole nine yards looked stunning on you!!  You are such an inspiration and very funny to top it off!!! I thank you...Keep it up!! 
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I was wondering where you have been.  I hadn't heard from you in a few days.  You look fantastic - those 6 months will pass quickly and you'll be back to the new and improved Natalia.  I saw my onconlogist this past week, we're definitely scheduling the surgery first.  I hope to have my mastectomy next Thurs or Fri (6th or 7th).  I'm not real nervous about the surgery - just the recovery time.  I like to shower and wash my hair and take care of my house and family. I want to hop back on my feet immediately.  He says if he finds the nodes cancer free - I'll just have to take the tamoxifin.  bad news if it's in the nodes i move on to chemo.  So it's still a waiting game.  I hate the waiting.  Your picture is beautiful.  little by little you're getting your life back.  You go girl. 
I'll still pray for you daily- you've been such an inspiration. 

 

Tammy

tsmcintyre 

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You have an amazing amount of courage and a fabulous attitude.  My mother went through what you are going through at 27 when she was 50.  She had a very similar attitude as you and many of her friends gained strength from being around her. When her hair came back in people on the street would complement her on how beautiful it was.  Her response was always "you don't know what I went through to get this hair!"

 

Keep up your strength and don't waste your time on the devil's sister.  You have a life to live, not to complain about!!! 

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I think you will find that using nyloy socks works better.  The color is closer to your natural skin color, they are lighter and they wash very easily.  They also work well in your swim suit until you have a prosthesis.  Because they are light, they do not become heavy with water.

Georgina

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Natalia,

 

Tomorrow is D-Day - I will forever say goodbye to my right breast.  It is time for it to go and it has served me well but it is no longer healthy.  I am not sad about losing a breast - I am hopefully gaining a life.  You have been a huge inspiration.  I hope you are now gettinig around and going out with your  good friends.  I know we all realize how precious each and every day is and that we shouldn't take a single one for granted.  Continue to improve - I pray for you each day.  My surgery is at 9:30 am so everyone say a little prayer.   I think it really helps.  Hope to talk with you soon!

 

Tammy  

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Natalia,

 

Tomorrow is D-Day - I will forever say goodbye to my right breast. It is time for it to go and it has served me well but it is no longer healthy. I am not sad about losing a breast - I am hopefully gaining a life. You have been a huge inspiration. I hope you are now gettinig around and going out with your good friends. I know we all realize how precious each and every day is and that we shouldn't take a single one for granted. Continue to improve - I pray for you each day. My surgery is at 9:30 am so everyone say a little prayer. I think it really helps. Hope to talk with you soon!

 

Tammy

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Oh Natalia...I laughed and laughed when I read your story.   Made my day, chica!  I'm so glad to read you are out and about with your gorgeous face, spirit and personality!   My hair feels like a puppy's fur and I go out and am surprised by people giving me the thumbs up and some guys even hitting on me!   I laugh just as loud as I once used to.  This feels good, but I'm scared at what the future holds. 

 

Thanks for that story, Natalia.  Take the good days and enjoy the hell out of them!  The bad ones?   Just shrug 'em off. 

 

With love & support,

 

Kaye

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