When I launched POST SWIM, I knew the first collection had to be named STRENGTH. Not just because strength is what carried me through my breast cancer diagnosis, but because strength came from the people around me. Every person in my life who stood by me during the hardest moments deserves to be honored, and that’s why each style in the Strength Collection carries their name, a reminder that POST SWIM's mastectomy-friendly swimwear is designed with love, resilience and real survivor stories in mind.
Cancer changes everything: your body, your confidence, your day-to-day life. But one thing it shouldn’t take away is the love and support of those around you. Research shows that caregivers and support networks play a critical role in recovery and emotional wellbeing during a cancer journey. From driving you to appointments, sitting by your side in waiting rooms, or simply listening when you need to cry, these moments of support matter more than words can express.
The year I was diagnosed, 2022, I had 222 doctors appointments between the date of my diagnosis and the end of the year. 222 appointments in 268 days, there was no way I could have done that without the support from my husband and family.
Why Family Support Matters in a Diagnosis
The National Cancer Institute emphasizes that caregivers provide vital physical, emotional, and logistical support throughout treatment. They not only help manage daily needs but also reduce feelings of isolation for patients navigating overwhelming circumstances. Their guidance underscores how important it is for patients and caregivers alike to seek out resources, lean on support networks, and practice self-care during the cancer journey.
The American Cancer Society notes that caregivers are often the unsung heroes of cancer journeys. This couldn't hold more true for me. I tell my husband all the time he is a co-survivor and that title holds weight in our house and I never will forget or diminish that he went through this journey just as much as me, just in a different way. More on our relationship and my love and appreciation for him for another post.
For me, my husband took on majority of the tasks, but on the days he needed a break or just simply to get his own full-time job done, we relied on the the women in our family to support us. Naming each swimsuit after these women was my way of weaving their strength into POST SWIM, so that every woman who wears one of these suits feels that same sense of love, support, and resilience.
The Strength Collection and Their Namesakes
- Ro One Piece → Named after my mom, Rochelle. She was always second in line for everything. Late night phone calls, constantly adjusting to my ever changing diet needs, or simply coming over just to sit with me when my husband was at work.
- Kim Top → For my sister, Kim, who brought her kids around to help bring a smile and laughter on the days I needed it most.
- Judy Zip One Piece → Inspired by my grandmother, Judy, who watched over me from heaven to make sure I was in good hands.
- Mary Bottom → For my mother-in-law, Mary, who would send me a text every day asking how I was. Would run over to our house with any medication I needed from any pharmacy at the drop of a hat.
- Jen Top → In honor of my sister-in-law, Jen, who showed me what unwavering loyalty looks like during life’s hardest seasons.
- Tam Bottom → For my sister-in-law, Tam, who used her own therapeutic tools to remind me that I needed to instill the same during (and after) my journey.
Each of these women represents not just personal strength, but the collective power of caregivers, family, and community.
A Swimwear Collection with Meaning
At POST SWIM, every design is about more than just scar coverage or fit (though those matter deeply). Each piece is a reminder that healing is not something we do alone and that swimwear for breast cancer survivors can be stylish, empowering, and full of meaning. When you wear a suit from the Strength Collection, you carry a little piece of that love and resilience with you.
Cancer may have changed my story, but it also deepened my appreciation for the women who stood by me. This collection is for them and for every woman who knows what it means to lean on family during a diagnosis. Explore the Strength Collection and carry that same love and resilience with you.