Sentinel lymph nodes removed - Chemo & Radiation treatment
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Thanks
that made me smile
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Hi 4Coco, Last Thursday went well
thank you. The last few days have been a challenge. Felt better this morning.
How are you travelling?1 -
Pleased to hear you are feeling better this morning @D2Dizzy The best advice given here by everyone who have been where we are is to take it a day at a time and be gentle on ourselves ... some days are good and some days are better. I'm having a better day today too thanks.1
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Hi everyone @Afraser @iserbrown - looking for some advice please. My Oncologist has arranged an appointment with Occupational Therapy to assess my breast/arm for Lymphoedema. It's my first appointment and I'm not too sure what to expect and what questions I should take along with me.1
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Hi @4Coco
Always best to check out these things early but here are a few things to consider:
An initial check by an occupational therapist is fine but I’d be looking for a follow up with a specialist lymphoedema therapist if you can.
It’s hard to know what tests will be applied - it may be just visual/tactile or there may be scans of some type or bioimpedance spectroscopy, which will indicate excess fluid.
The therapist will advise if lymphoedema is present and probably suggest some treatment. The most common treatments are exercise, massage and compression. A compression garment helps the reduced lymphatic system move fluid as it should. An off the shelf garment may be a good move, to see how well compression works and how you adjust to using it.
It may not be lymphoedema, it may not be permanent but even if it is, it’s manageable! That’s the point at which a specialist therapist is well worth having.
Best wishes for your consultation.1 -
Hi @Afraser
Many thanks for what you have raised - I was thinking about looking around for a specialist therapist - and I'm hoping that this initial 1 hour appointment at the hospital will have some sort of a follow on / referrals once I know what they detect - its hard to know if what I'm feeling in my arm area is the settling down following surgery that they mentioned to expect for up to a year. Some days the upper arm feels tighter than other days. Do you know if it makes any difference as to which position you sleep - to sleep on opposite side to where surgery was done to increase lymph flow?0 -
Dear @4Coco
My therapist has never mentioned any issues about sleeping. Mind you, if I could sleep with my arm held straight up in the air, that would help! I don’t wear a sleeve at night so maybe it doesn’t make any difference. I’m having a massage today - I’ll ask!
The settling down can certainly take a time - I lost 17 nodes and my underarm belonged to someone else for a while. Even now, years later, the feeling in that area is not quite right - particularly feeling heat or cold. I discovered lymphoedema by noticing that my wristwatch band was a bit too tight - my skin surface felt fine and still does, but symptoms do vary. Some people experience discomfort or heaviness but I never have.
Regards, A1 -
@4Coco ... is there swelling at the area that you are experiencing the 'tightness discomfort'? If you press the swelling .. does the fingermark remain? There is often discomfort for the first few months particularly or longer.
My surgeon organised my appt with a Lymphoedema specialist shortly after my surgery .... maybe if you ask your Onc to refer you to one, instead of the OT, it would more efficient for you - see the OT afterwards for exercise advice, if needed? She showed me the correct 'massage' method to & what to 'look for', should I need to see her again.
take care & all the best xx1 -
