Hi, my name is Amy Bath.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. It was a pretty traumatic experience as I’m sure most of you reading this will be only too aware. I went into hospital for a lumpectomy and despite the ‘positive’ language used by the consultant, it was necessary to have a mastectomy.

As my lymph nodes were affected, it was recommended that I should undergo chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which I did. Thanks to everyone who helped me get to and from the hospital on so many occasions.

It was at this time (chemo and radiotherapy) that I felt at my lowest ebb. I remember taking out all of my beautiful bras from the drawer and dumping them in a plastic bag. There was no point in keeping them, but I was completely dismayed when I searched the internet for pretty, feminine mastectomy bras. The general rule seemed to be that you could have any colour you wanted as long as it was black . . . white or beige!

The more I searched, the more dismayed I became. This was at the very time I needed to feel good about myself instead of staring at the mirror looking at surgery scars and trying to lift my arm a centimetre higher than the day before.

I decided that I should 'do something' about the situation. It was only when I was made redundant from the charity(!) I was working for, that I thought “It’s now or never.” So here we are.

I eventually found Oemee, a beautiful French brand and since then we have added the Lucy and Rose ranges. It makes such a difference, wearing beautiful and comfortable underwear.  But, I found the same situation with swimwear. I couldn’t find a lovely bikini, just plenty of dull old swimming costumes.  So in the end I persuaded the MD of Seafolly, an Australian swimwear manufacturer, to let me adapt some of their bikinis. Their bikinis are great, so I was really pleased to be able to offer them for sale.  We launched the swimwear range in March and the feedback has been incredible.

I am now planning to make my own range of mastectomy underwear and then swimwear. BUT; I need your help. One thing I have realised during this journey is that we don’t have to put up with things we don’t want. However, I am only one person. What I need is your input. Together we can make the sort of underwear and swimwear that you will feel good in. If you have seen some lovely fabric somewhere or a great design that you think will work, please send me the suggestion. With such feedback and comments I would feel more confident that I am developing what we really want. That would make me feel so proud!

Send me your thoughts now.