Letters

Dear Colleen,

I met you in 2003, a couple of months after my mastectomy. When I look back, I realise that I was still in a state of shock from the surgery when we met, but luckily, I didn't know it. However, your professionalism, your caring, your honesty and your eye for detail all helped me to adjust to and accept my new body.

I'll always be grateful to you for your wonderful, ongoing and friendly service. I think that more than a few of us ladies would be lost without you.

Lois

Dear Colleen

“I thought I would drop you a line to let you know how much I appreciate your professionalism and care. You provide a valuable service that has a very positive effect on the self esteem of many women who have had an assault on their body and confidence.

I can only speak from my own personal experience of the positive effects your service has had on my acceptance of myself and the rise in confidence when ever I have to go out in public. My story would not be unique to you but it has been a personal struggle for me. When I was born in 1957 I apparently had a massive infection and the solution in those days was to cut it out which resulted in a partial mastectomy of the right breast. It also resulted in some scarring which I asked about as a child but was never given a full explanation. As I was going through puberty it then became obvious to me that the end result was far more reaching than just some unsightly scarring. My relationship with my mother was rather distant and as a result I have had no one to confide in regarding the problem. This resulted in a lot of shame and embarrassment which stayed with me right up to my appointment with you.

For my whole adult life I have had to be careful with my choice of clothing. I have never been able to wear T shirts or knitted tops without a loose over shirt regardless of the season. My posture has always been hunched over to help disguise the unevenness. Now I have a choice to wear what I like and discard the over shirt in the warm weather. This is the first time I have been able to walk straight and tall, which is necessary when one is under five feet tall.

There is no easy way to put words on paper to rightly express the change in my confidence and greater acceptance of my body image. It has taken me such a long time to take that step to trust that someone would help without judgement. I thank you very much for the caring and professional manner you dealt with my problem and how you put me at ease.

Thank you for your service and being a kind caring person.”

Dear Colleen

"This is a belated thank you for the time and help you gave me a week or so ago.
Colleen, I am very happy with my purchase and I feel so comfortable. I also feel I look great. I am grateful you were such a calm, not overbearing and helpful person. You did not make me feel embarrassed. Your expertise is noted!!!!!!
I shall pass your website on to my friends and anyone else who may be interested
It was worth the long drive to Canberra." Signed Pat.

Dear Colleen

".........,I also bought a proper silicone breast prosthesis 2 weeks ago (the sort they use for mastectomy patients). This is because I have one breast A cup and the other D cup! This happened during puberty, and the D cup would have been larger but I had that breast operated on and reduced when I was 18. I had a breast implant in the small side for a few years, but I hated the feel of it. It was uncomfortable, and I could feel it when I lay in bed, so I got it removed. For the last 10 years I have used little foam pads from a local outlet or I wore nothing and just stood or sat in an irregular way so that one arm or wrist/hand was covering the little breast.

Many people would never have noticed because I always made sure, unconsciously that both breasts weren't on show at once! The new "chicken fillet" fits in my bra and is as squishy as a real breast. My boobs look exactly the same when I am wearing a bra, and it feels fantastic. I can now stand with my shoulders back and my chest in the normal/right position. I even have a little cleavage!"

Hi Colleen,

I just wanted to send you a message of great thanks, for the wonderful service I received from you recently. You were very warm and knowledgeable, and I felt very at ease.

My friend Tracy and I had a great day out in Canberra shopping afterward. The testament to my new adhesive forms came from the numerous hours they stayed put while I tried on many clothes! I have found the trick for getting them to stick to my concave chest is to make sure there is no air pocket underneath them when I attach them. They don't stick perfectly at the edges as we discussed but they are very secure. They work great and are so comfortable. I did wear them one day just in the bra with the backing on but found they weren't quite as comfortable. I feel so confident with them on, I am back at work and writing on the whiteboard at the front of the class isn't bothering me at all now, my bra doesn't rise up to meet my chin :) I feel like I have my own breasts back but perkier than before.

My second swimming form arrived last week as well, thank you. I am going to test it out at the pool on Friday.

So, in case you can't tell, I am very happy, and that is thanks to you! Please keep up the wonderful work. I will come to Canberra again soon to buy a few more lovely bras. ( I will call first though! )

Thanks again, Julie