looking for mastectomy friendly riding apparel

[andiewest]

Hi there,

I know that this doesn't apply to most of you, but I was wondering if anyone knows of any cycling tanks that would accommodate mastectomy forms. I have bought several lululemon tanks that have a built in bra with removable pads. Although they are not designed specifically for mastectomy forms, they work perfectly. I use these tanks for spin classes and circuit training. Unfortunately, there are no back pockets on their tanks, so they would not work for summer cycling.

Cycling has turned out to be the most positive and freeing way of dealing with the stress and anxiety of breast cancer. I am so happy that I have discovered it and this forum.

Andie

[sundial]

Andie, first I just wanted to say what an awesome and inspiring person you must be as a cancer survivor. I hope you enjoy many healthy years to come and many miles under your bike tires. My suggestion regarding the clothing is to call the helpful ladies at Team Estrogen and talk with them. They always offer excellent customer service and can point you in the right direction. To contact them, click on the icon on the top left to begin your shopping experience.

[andiewest]

Thanks Sundial,

I made a call to teamestrogen, and as you said, she was very helpful. It doesn't seem like they have any tanks that will work. I can always wear a sports bra and then a tank. I just have a vision of myself riding in the hot summer sun in just a tank top. I may have another look at Athleta. I have bought some other items from them that had removable pads and a racer back.

Thanks also for your words of encouragement. I don't know if I am an inspiration, but I am certainly working hard to be strong and healthy.

Andie

[ny biker]

You might try stores that selling tank tops for running -- some of them have pockets, although they are probably smaller than the ones on bike jerseys.

I know Lucy has sports bras with removeable cookies, but I'm pretty sure they don't carry cycling tank tops.

[loopybunny]

Question... why a tank? Is it a heat thing? Maybe a comfortable sport bra with a sleeveless jersey will meet your needs.

[andiewest]

Thanks for the suggestion Lucy and Michelle. A tank is not completely essential. It's just that I have been wearing racer back tanks for spinning and other exercise and like the feeling of only having one layer. I think I will have to go with the sleeveless jersey and sports bra.

Andie

[Miranda]

Do you know of anyone who can sew?

The back pockets could be very easily added to your tank tops you currently wear and love. Or any cycling tanks (w/built in bra shelf/cups) with pockets already, the bra insert piece for the breast forms could be easily stitched.

I can sew just enough to be dangerous lol. But, I have picked up biz cards of ladies at the gym who sew. Maybe a retired lady from church? Or even a home care store where you can buy the bras from might know someone. Also some dry cleaners have a seamtress they work with for simple repairs. Bridal shops have seamstress. Fabric or sewing machine shops. Possibly even a home eck class at a local school.

If you ride more aero outside you could even modify your breast forms material to possibly some other type of filler in the bra cup. My mom's sil breast forms I know are a bit heavish. In spin I ride more upright for comfort personally, but outside more aero chest lower to the bar.

Good Luck with your shopping & search... and congrats on finding the positive love of pedaling in your life... awesome.

[andiewest]

Miranda,

Thanks for the sewing suggestion. I hadn't thought of that and my mother in law is an amazing seamstress. You are right that the breast forms are quite heavy. Maybe I am getting closer to embracing my new body and just riding without anything. It would be way more comfortable.

Andie

[MomOnBike]

First, Good for you for riding your bike. Every woman I know who has dealt with breast cancer had found her bike a help during and after treatment. (This may have to do with the kind of people I tend to hang with). I know that my bike helped me - I rode to the chemo treatments and to most of the radiation. Yes, pride was involved, but it helped my mental health as well. I know another woman on another forum who either walked or rode to treatments for the same reason.

I agree on making or having something made Just For You, especially if it is from your Mother in Law. the love your MIL puts into the tanks will be a source of strength - and my bet is she will be happy to Do Something for you.

On going without the breast forms, I doubt anyone will notice while you are riding. After all, you will be passing everyone in sight, being so much lighter, right? You can always use the forms when you are dressing up for a night on the town. You aren't stuck with one look. Do what works and makes you comfortable with yourself in each specific situation.

On the same topic, I'm trying to figure out how to deal with the fact that I'm now lopsided. My doc took quite a bit from the affected breast, amounting to breast reduction surgery - but only on one side. Buy two bras to fit the different sides, cut them apart and sew them back together to fit? Seems wasteful.

[OakLeaf]

MoB, by federal law, your insurance is required to cover a reduction of the unaffected breast to bring you symmetry, if it's worth it to you to have the surgery.

Hugs and continued good health to both of you.

[KnottedYet]

Team Survivor is a fabulous resource, if you haven't found them already.

http://teamsurvivor.org/

Lots of very cool women, in all stages of treatment and recovery, with lots of ideas for dealing with nuts-and-bolts things like breast prosthesis. I rode and swam with them for a year. (Looooong after my cancer, when I had an emotional existential freak-out OMG delayed reaction to it. Being around a bunch of women who had the same odd sense of proportion and sense of humor and love of everything instantly calmed me down.)

I remember a couple women talking about how they were managing bras and jerseys to avoid irritating their picc line sites...

Team Survivor is just an incredible thing, I cannot recommend it highly enough!

Also, take a look at Title 9 Sports' regular catalog and their "Bounce" bra catalog. They have a few things with prosthesis pockets. Underwear catalog: http://www.shopbounce.com/home.do and their regular catalog: http://www.titlenine.com/

[andiewest]

Knotted Yet,

Thanks for the links and suggestions. I haven't heard of Team Survivor, but it does look like an amazing resource. It is inspiring to hear the stories of people who have dealt with similar struggles.

[KnottedYet]

Maybe I am getting closer to embracing my new body and just riding without anything. It would be way more comfortable.

Andie

There is a woman in Seattle who specializes in post-mastectomy and other post-surgical tattoos. Her work is quite beautiful, there have been a handful of newspaper articles about her post-mastectomy tattoos in particular.

Here are just a few of her pieces. Warning: there is nudity (is one boob half as nude? ) in the following pictures http://madamelazonga.deviantart.com/gallery/