Introduction:

I am Ilse Jordaan and I live in Bloemfontein, I started in 2000 with the fitting of breasts and specially manufactured
bras from the same factory in Germany. I came to the realisation that I truly have a
passion to help these women when a friend of mine was studying for her doctorate,
during which time she had a lot of contact with these women. Years ago I personally
had an abnormal breast. I can still recall how discomforting it was for me as a
teenager to hide it. However, I didn’t know at the time that there existed some
correctional measures, even for such an abnormally developed breast. I have had it
corrected by means of plastic surgery. This whole obsession about beautiful breasts
thus spilled over to others. I was then able to assist women with no breasts, or just
with one breast after the other one due to cancer.

The Breasts are made from silicone and is available in various shapes and sizes.
The breasts are mass balanced and if fitted correctly, should weigh exactly the same
as your remaining breast. Not only are they available in different shapes and sizes,
but there are also lighter protheses for heavy breasted women who would be happy
with less weight to carry (also for normal sizes). There’s a new kind of prosthesis on
the market which is pasted straight onto the wall of the chest. There’s also a breast
prothesis specially manufactured for our climate, which allows for easier airflow to
keep your breast cool. This is made possible by placing a gel sticker in the fridge and
then placing it on the breast. The usual average silicone breast wears comfortably
because it fits into a speial mastectomy bra which is provided withe left - or right-sided
little bags, or bags on both sides for those women who had a double mastectomy.

There is also assistance for women who simply had a lump removed. Consequently
she is left with breasts that don't look alike. To correct this situation, a apart of a
prosthesis is available, called ‘partials’. This can also be specifically placed where a
hollow has occurred. These ‘partials’ can therefore also be used for people who were
involved in accidents or suffered injuries in childhood or uneven breast development.

This is good news for girls who have an absence of pectoral muscles, resulting in no
breast development. They will be able to use these ‘adhesive’ breasts, and as they
grow, larger ones can be fitted from time to time. An implant can only be done from
18 years of age. I can, however, be of assistance to these girls till the age of18.

The Bras are available in many styles which can be specially order. A general
comfortable range is on hand, with a higher cut in the middle to conceal scaring and
the straps over the shoulder are also slightly padded to prevent ‘ grooving’ into the
shoulder, seeing that the weight of the breast is no longer attached to the body.
Although these are the basic features of the bras, there are also, for instance, bras
with or without lace, and seamless ones for wearing under T-shirts. Also available
are bras with the well-known transparent plastic straps which can be comfortably
worn with dresses or tops with narrow shoulder straps.

SWIMSUITS - New on the market

I get overly excitement when I talk about the beautiful swimsuits that are specially
made for these women, also from the same factory in Germany. This makes normal
life so much easier, Also brand new on the market is a T-shirt with shoulder straps
with a built-in bra with little bags, ideal for wearing during the warm summer months,
without having to worry about wearing a separate bra underneath.
I find it very saddening, however, that women don’t know about these products and
that most medical aids will pay for such products, as it is considered an external
medical aid . Not only is this information unknown to most people, but also other
options without further operations.

My aim is to bring all this information to the knowledge of every woman with cancer,
to enable her to make an informed decision. Unfortunately not everyone obtains the
necessary information from hospitals, for various reasons, or they live in rural areas
where this information is not available.

With the correct knowledge a woman can be a whole person again. It gives me great
pleasure to see how women muster up the courage to fight cancer, and when their
whole posture reflects ‘I AM A WOMAN’.

This is my contribution towards women and I want to proclaim it far and wide!!!
THERE IS HELP AFTER A MASTECTOMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!