Baseline Measurement for Lymphoedema
Due to cording issues, I see a specialist physio on a reasonably regular basis. The clinic treats cancer survivors and obviously, lymphoedema issues. Last visit, the physio decided it was time to me...
Forum Discussion
Don't start me on the head in the sand attitude to lymphoedema. If it's mentioned before surgery at all, it's often cast as some sort of bogeyman, which scares people from any further action or research. You have a relatively high chance of getting it with lymph removal, particularly axillary clearance but I have filled in many research questionnaires where it's not even referred to as a side effect - sure it's not as common as nausea or fatigue, but it may be with you for life. Assistance for therapy, compression garments etc can be widely variable across the country and most GPs know little about it. I don't regret my surgery at all and I have adapted to life with lymphoedema pretty well, but I have also seen people wait way too long for treatment, mainly because of lack of knowledge or do without aids that would greatly improve their quality of life because of cost. I'll be quiet now🙂.