"Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons."
- Ruth Ann Schabacker -
A POST ABOUT JANUARY 20, 2024
What a difference a bra makes.
When my friend TK found out I had breast cancer in late 2022, she immediately suggested that I go to Melmira for any surgical bras I may need. I was having a lumpectomy so I didn't feel like I needed to explore any special bras. I made do with what I had and bought some other very soft, no-wire bras, well more like gentle boob holders that I have been living in since last January. They worked and were fine.
This time, I knew I needed something different. When TK heard I was having a mastectomy, she insisted I get an appointment with her friend Amie, the owner. Well, Amie is a ⭐️! And so many of my friends reached out to say that I had to see Amie and so...
I made an appointment for early January. A dear friend was going to come to the appointment with me as support (my close friend Margaret who went through breast cancer at the age of 32 and then again in her 40s and was fitted at Melmira many moons ago), but she got sick and was unable to come with me, so I moved the appointment. Truth to told, I was relieved. Going for a bra fitting and looking at prosthetics was such was a brutal reminder, and yet another "in your face" moment I was happy to delay. I wasn't ready.
As the appointment approached, I started to get a little anxious and emotional about it and when the week leading up to my fitting became a crazy, tiring, too-many-appointments kind of week, I moved the fitting once again.
Finally, on Saturday Jan. 20 I attended my surgical bra fitting at Melmira. Time was running out and I had to just do it. As I walked down the street to the store, I kept saying to myself: "I can do hard things. I can do hard things."
First of all, did I mention that Amie is a SUPERSTAR?! She immediately made me feel so comfortable and her energy was sweet, loving and kind. So there we were the three of us in a fitting room. All my nervousness vanished as we talked and exchanged information.
Amazingly, the first mastectomy bra Amie had me try, fit like a glove. Super soft and really comfy. Both my boobs looked good and perky. Beautiful.
Then I was shown the "add-ons" - a puff and a drain holder. OK. A puff. A drain holder. A bit of real truth seeped in. The next time I was going to wear this bra my left b@@b would be gone.
I felt a pang in my chest. I was all smiles and really trying hard not to burst into tears. I needed to stay in the moment. I've got this! I can do this! I can do hard things.
I quietly acknowledged the rise of insecurity and upset and reassured myself: "You are beautiful. You are beautiful. You are beautiful."
And at the end of the appointment, I had 2 bras (thanks to my friend who suggested I get an all-cotton softie for lounging as well), 1 puff, a drain holder (with velcro for removal after my drain is gone) and a whole lot of love for TK (for the reco), Amie (Superstar fitter), Melmira and my fellow Cancer Champ Margaret, friend for over 44 years. It takes a village! And I am so grateful!
R xx
P.S. Today (March 6), I'm 6 weeks post-op and I get my prosthetic b@@bs!! One fancy silicon one and a swimmer. Stay tuned for Part 2!
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