Battle Undies
I joined this forum in 2010 but didn't really participate until my recurrence in 2016. There has been some great stuff happening here in the last couple of years--support and humour, the sharing of ...
Forum Discussion
Hooray @zoffiel. There are a number of issues with lymphoedema. It gets dropped off a lot of research questions so I doubt if the data is either clear or helpful. For most of us it's for life, as any real "cure" for developed lymphoedema is not on the horizon. Lymph transplant is interesting, hardly proven and a very long surgery with all its attendant risks including anaesthesia is not particularly attractive, before you even start thinking about the cost.
I have no idea whether axillary clearance is still a good idea or not. In my own case, I had several seriously enlarged nodes and the one biopsied was malignant. So I have no personal beef. But I am not sure that applies to everyone.
Financial assistance for those with serious lymphoedema seems hard for many to access. I'm a lucky one - I can afford therapy, my arm is a little swollen but most people don't notice it (when I am not wearing my sleeve), I don't mind wearing my sleeve and do so as recommended and I have no discomfort. The fellow patient I saw leaving my therapist's rooms with an awful, red, about to burst hand may have a very different story.
Not everyone has access to qualified lymphoedema therapists. Financial assistance for compression garments may not include made to measure. Off the shelf serves well for many but may be useless for some.
We know depression is an issue for cancer patients full stop. Breast cancer patients may be particularly prone given the effect on their sense of self, sexual identity and reproductive capacity. Many people experience the same reaction to wearing a pressure garment for the foreseeable future. I think your deathless phrase for my recent run in with multiple compression garments was "trussed like a sausage". I found it really funny (and temporary) but it's not funny for everyone.
Finally (sorry didn't mean to go on so long) if people have a problem with expectations of "getting over" breast cancer in a year or so, imagine what it's like for the long term lymphoedema sufferer. I'm OK with it, but I do sympathise with those who feel the long term impact just isn't recognised.
Lots of things are worse - it's not a competition. I count myself lucky every day that I have not had a recurrence yet or a diagnosis of metastatic cancer.
Best wishes
I have no idea whether axillary clearance is still a good idea or not. In my own case, I had several seriously enlarged nodes and the one biopsied was malignant. So I have no personal beef. But I am not sure that applies to everyone.
Financial assistance for those with serious lymphoedema seems hard for many to access. I'm a lucky one - I can afford therapy, my arm is a little swollen but most people don't notice it (when I am not wearing my sleeve), I don't mind wearing my sleeve and do so as recommended and I have no discomfort. The fellow patient I saw leaving my therapist's rooms with an awful, red, about to burst hand may have a very different story.
Not everyone has access to qualified lymphoedema therapists. Financial assistance for compression garments may not include made to measure. Off the shelf serves well for many but may be useless for some.
We know depression is an issue for cancer patients full stop. Breast cancer patients may be particularly prone given the effect on their sense of self, sexual identity and reproductive capacity. Many people experience the same reaction to wearing a pressure garment for the foreseeable future. I think your deathless phrase for my recent run in with multiple compression garments was "trussed like a sausage". I found it really funny (and temporary) but it's not funny for everyone.
Finally (sorry didn't mean to go on so long) if people have a problem with expectations of "getting over" breast cancer in a year or so, imagine what it's like for the long term lymphoedema sufferer. I'm OK with it, but I do sympathise with those who feel the long term impact just isn't recognised.
Lots of things are worse - it's not a competition. I count myself lucky every day that I have not had a recurrence yet or a diagnosis of metastatic cancer.
Best wishes