124. An extra few pounds...

Yesterday I went to be fitted for my prosthesis. I felt like I’d been let loose on the fresh fish and chicken counters at Sainsbury’s! I had no idea how much a boob can weigh - no wonder a couple of my friends get back ache - and how fortunate I’ve been to be less-than-averagely endowed for most of my life. Give me fried eggs any day.

Anyway, my noob apparently should weigh about 1.5 lb (I know you shouldn’t mix decimal with imperial but I can’t do a half on this keyboard!). So that cheered me up - my weight really is closer now to 7st 10, allowing for the noob.

I had to weigh them in my palm and consider the level of comfort, as well as be wary of the aesthetics. What the nurse (with frozen hands) thought was a good fit actually stuck out front at least a centimetre further than the other side! Then there were boobs that were far too perky, giving a one-up one-down effect which was not attractive. My problem is that I’ve always had a sideways not a forward kind of boobiness so I need something that doesn’t jut forward.

I came away empty-handed, or empty-cupped but for my knitted knocker, and have to go back to the next clinic, by which time F (that doesn’t stand for frozen hands) will have more for me to weigh up and, I hope, one I can wear with confidence and pride. I’ll spare you the images!

Last week, I popped over to Horsforth (you have no idea how good that feels just to write it - free to pop wherever I like now). There’s a specialist shop there for mastectomy bras with a good range. They are a bit sturdier than anything I have ever worn and rather high at the front - bang goes the casual flash of cleavage I only earned once I hit menopause - but they are very carefully designed and definitely fit for purpose. I was mortified to be told I was “32, well, closer to 30 but we only stock sizes from 32.” I did tell the assistant who measured me that the tape measure had been very tight but she insisted. I ended up with 34C which restored my self-respect and I bought a white lacy one with pre-formed cups and a ‘natural’ ordinary one which she said I could return after the hospital fitting but which is actually more comfortable so I’ll keep it. I’m back to my Asda bra for now - it’s way lighter and more comfy, even if it’s a lurid orange and tends to slip round in the absence of some anchorage!

Now I discover they are a lot cheaper online - no wonder the shop is closing down next month. That’ll be a huge loss to the bc community but apparently most people buy online now. Not surprising.

So, that’s that bit nearly sorted. One thing to cross off quite a long list but one further step forward.