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Boobs, Ta Tas, frost detectors, cans, jugs, bee stings, norks, hooters…and my favourite, Brad Pits? I had always called my lady lumps ‘breasts’ but for a while I called them ‘foobs’ (fake boobs) and these days they’re ‘my girls’.

I received my first bra for Christmas in 1982, I was eleven. My lady lumps had started to form so my mother decided Christmas Day would be the perfect time for me to unwrap my first bra…in front of everyone. Oh, the shame!

christmas bra

Then came the fascination from pre pubescent boys in year seven who loved nothing more than to twang my bra strap and run away, pretty sure no girl actually likes that boys! Dickheads 🙂

My first bra was the kind that had the closure in the front, bring them back I say. Have you mastered doing up your bra ‘from behind’? Not me. I look like a T. rex with short arms flailing and to the horror of many a bra fitter I do my bra up in the front and then spin the bra back around my chest and slip my arms in. A big no no 🙂

I know, gasp!

I had pretty awesome breasts, I say ‘had’ because a double mastectomy saw my warm squishy breasts carved from my body. The night before my first mastectomy I took my first ever ‘selfie’, I wanted to remember what the girls looked like. Not bad…

breasts

Sure, at 41 they weren’t quite the same as the pair that dazzled the huz when we first met. Yeah, I let him cop a feel on our first date and YES, he was hooked!

My boobs were a big part of our foreplay and lovemaking, but at times the huz had to share. Not in a weird pervey way! They became feeding machines for our two bubbas, he wasn’t worried though.

Then, whe I was forty one he was bloody worried, we were both worried. The doc said ‘cancer’ (fuck!) and in two shakes of a lambs tail I was waking up groggy from an anaesthetic, with one breast removed from my chest.

mastectomy

Eighteen months later the other breast was removed and the clever surgeons created new boobs from my back. My ‘girls’…they’ve got my back ??

double-reconstruction

Sounds fancy and pretty easy but don’t be fooled, the surgeries were shit.

The pain was shit. The suicide thoughts were shit. Grieving my warm, soft and saggy boobs was shit. Lovemaking without ‘our’ boobs was shit. Get the picture.

It was hard going. But like all things, time heals.

Four years after having that first mastectomy I’m pretty damn happy with my man made boobs and nipples. The pain has subsided (still there, but better) and the scars have faded a little. My new boobs aren’t warm, they’re cold. One is squishy and one is hard, both are different and I have zero sensation…totally numb.

reconstructed-breasts

Sounds a bit ewww right?

Not really. My new boobs give me confidence. They give me shape, make me feel feminine and instead of feeling like I ‘have’ cancer I now live life like I ‘had’ cancer’.

I wasn’t planning on a reconstruction but halfway through treatment changed my mind (yes, you can do that). My new boobs were character building, I don’t take them for granted and I always put them in a good bra because ‘I’m worth it’.

I’ve had several bra fittings since that cancer diagnosis. Baring my chest with one breast was one of the hardest fittings ever. Some bra fitters are definitely better than others, the ones who gasped (yes!) or commented on my ‘large scars’ probably needed some training…or a slap.

Thankfully I’ve had some awesome and caring fittings, the ones that leave me feeling…well, like me.

It’s not easy for a woman to bare her naked chest to a bra fitter, for some women it’s something they’ve never done. Low body confidence fills women with fear and the thought of stripping off the ole ‘over the shoulder boulder holder’ is akin to nails down a chalkboard.

A GOOD BRA FITTING GIVES YOU

Getting fitted for a well fitted bra will give you more than just a bra that fits. You will also receive the added bonus of…
-comfort
-a smoother silhouette
-great shape
-lift
-advice
-a few laughs

You will also be wearing the correct size! I was recently fitted by Sue from Buxom Envy and was shocked to learn I was actually a cup size or two bigger than I had been wearing. Clearly I don’t have huge boobs but the shape of my boobs and the size of my back is what determines my size.

strapless-bra-buxom-envy

Some women have full overflowing breasts, some are perky or sideways and then gravity takes its toll and some head south. All of this affects our cup size. Oh, and not all bras are equal in size. Fabric composition and the style of bra will also be taken into consideration when being fitted for the right bra.

Weight gain or loss and pregnancy will also change our breasts, these are times when a professional bra fitting service will pay off big time. Then there’s menopause, uh huh, Even menopause changes our boobs.

My point? You’re worth it.

buxom-envy-bra

Get fitted and get your boobs in an awesome bra.

When my new boobs were ‘made’ I promised myself I would always have them in nice bras. Wearing a fabulous bra helps me to feel fabulous…add matching knickers and I’m pretty much unstoppable! The power of good underwear is never to be underestimated!

plus-size-bra

If you live in South Australia I urge you to make a booking for a private fitting (click here) with Sue from Buxom Envy, she’s a wizard with boobs!

Have you got a good (or bad) story about a bra or bra fitting? How old were you when you started wearing a bra?

Til next time,

Jen X

All bras featured in this post sent to me for editorial consideration in line with my disclosure policy.

This is a sponsored post brought to you by Buxom Envy.

Please remember, my medical history is mine, my experience is personal and will differ to that of others. I am not a medical professional, please seek medical advice where your own health is concerned.

Comments

  1. Wow jen you and your books rock. I think your very brave and an inspiration to all. I myself have not gone through what you have but I’ve had many friends that have. I volunteer at Look Good Feel Better and I always go home feeling so honoured that I could help and put a smile on a woman’s face during a crappy time. Keep doing what your doing Jen because you help so many women in so many ways….

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  3. I bought that red and black bra from Sue. It’s amazing and so are you. I love your positivity and your outlook on life. Every time I’m having a down day or a crap moment you seem to be there to lift me up and put things back in perspective. ?

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  4. Jen a big thank you for this post. My BFF has her appointment on Tuesday, after 11 months of surgeries, chemo and radiation to find out whether the treatment has worked. I have spoken with her about you and your attitude since day 1. She is yet to decide re the reconstruction but I know your post will be beneficial for her.
    You are a special gift to us all ?

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  5. Jenni,
    Today a bit over a year after by bilateral mastectomy I have been in a funk. We took the kids to the pool and I wore my swimming prosthetics for their first spin. The swimming part was fine but I forgot to bring my regular prosthetics and bra. I have been in a mood since I had to sit in my wet swimmers for a 30 minute car ride home.
    I can not wait for the phone call to say that I will be able to have a breast form again.
    I to promise my boobs the best of bras when I get them again. X

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    • Ahhh Mairead I’m sorry you had a crap ending to what sounds like a day of fun and ‘facing the firsts’. I hope that phone call comes soon for you xx

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  9. I know you, I know your story and I had even seen a few pics. Today I cried. I think it was all the pics, before, during and after. Cancer seems to have infiltrated my life and speaking with you has shown me just how common it is. I have a few friends at different stages in the cancer journey and have lost some relatives. I love honesty, I am a fan of being forthright. This post was a both of those things. Thankyou for sharing this. It’s far from “getting a new set”, I bloody love your attitude.xx

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  10. Jenni I absolutely love your honesty…I have not been through what you have but love reading your thoughts & totally admire & respect everything say…xxoo

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  11. I love that you share the good and the bad Jenni I think your new boobs look fantastic! Aren’t they so clever to make them out of your back it must be very painful having the scars though,I’m so glad I’m not the only one who does her bra up like that I cannot do it up from the back I have short arms too!
    Love your bras,I only wear pretty ones too even though I’m barely a B cup these days but my husband doesn’t care of course boobs are boobs.I was 12 when I got my first bra and was mortified getting fitted but these days really don’t care.Great post Jenni Xx

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    • The doctors are amazing Lisa! I mean, who even thought up that surgery?? Crazy.

      No matter what your size a pretty bra can make a gal feel good xx

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  12. What a strong person you are. I personally would like to say thank you for sharing your story, pictures and all. Breast cancer has touched my family and to share such a personal story us absolutely wonderful. You are such an inspiration :)))

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  13. Great read Jen.
    Your boozies look fantastic. I still have a bit of work to do. Tattoo and a few nips and tucks. Just needed a break from hospital. But after seeing yours I will organise to have ir done next year.
    I was a bra fitter at David Jones i loved my job and loved my customers. It is so important to getting the correct fitting. Thats the next thing on the list some new bras. Love my tshirt bras but could do with a bit of pretty. Thank you for sharing your boobs. ?

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    • I totally get the need for a ‘break’ Fleur. I could have some revision but I’m ok with what I have…no more boob surgery for this chick xx

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  14. Thanks so much for writing this post . I am 3 weeks post surgery from having a single mastectomy and I am waiting to get pathology results back so don’t yet know if the surgery removed the cancer . I am not sure how I feel about reconstruction yet but there are other areas of my body I want to see changes too, namely losing the weight I gained through my chemo treatment . I love your body positive attitude and appreciate the real , honest thoughts and feelings that you share. You are a real tonic to those of us who are still finding our feet on this cancer journey x

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  15. Thank you for another fantastic post. You are an inspiration to us all Jenni, you share your cancer and body confidence experiences with pride. I think we can all learn so much from you, you’ve had some real shit happen in your world but still manage to get that smile on your face and live life to the fullest. Reading your posts I’ve laughed and cried and along the way have gained some of my own body confidence and a bigger zest for life. Best wishes for your operation in a few weeks. xxx

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  21. I look forward to wearing a ‘normal’ bra after having my tissue expander removed next year!
    I miss my underwire bra!
    Had my surgery in May, 4 rounds of Chemo and 15 of Radiation later I am done and dusted with treatment. Yea!!
    My ‘new’ boob is so good, my female Plastic Surgeon has done a wonderful job. I will have the other reduced to match my perky new one!
    I say go us Breast Cancer survivor So!!
    Enjoy your post Jen!

    Cheers……Sandra B

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    • Sandra it’s the best feeling ever have the tissue expander removed and the exchange. The implant is so much more comfy and the shape will be loads better too…good luck xx

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  25. oh jen!
    you so are inspirational! … what you’ve been through is incomprehensible!
    you are a brave and courageous soul!
    “Liberty leading the people!” … Eugene Delacroix
    btw that bra is the business hun!
    much love m:)X

    Reply

  26. I love how you bare all – not just your body, but your heart. You’re so damn gorgeous… You inspire me with your positivity and love for life. Thank you lovely. xxx

    Reply

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