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
Last week I saw the lymphodema specialist and after doing measurements using three different bits of kit, she said my arm was fine, but that I did have some fluid in the breast, and to wear a sports bra and come back in a year for comparison measurements unless anything changed. She attributed it to aftereffects of radiotherapy - “you’re still cooking”. Radiotherapy finished 8 Feb. I’m small breasted and haven’t been wearing any bra.
Then this week I did interval training on the stationary bike (10 minutes totals on the bike), then the next day cycled slowly to the breast surgeon (about 4 kms) for my 4 month checkup. He said all healing nicely, but that I had a bit of lymphodema in the breast. He pointed out that my left breast was quite hot compared to my right breast. And to my dismay, I could see that since last week my left breast had swollen up so that it was larger than my right breast, and I hadn’t really noticed the temperature difference before (although at night, if I’m going to get hot, it will be my upper left torso that needs the blanket off more than any other part. At least at moments I’m finding that size differential bit mildly funny, since the surgeon had said my left breast would end up smaller after the lumpectomy.
I have hit panic stations since the surgeon appointment — I don’t really know why. Cancer meh. Lymphodema/swelling OMG. Maybe I need to reorder my priorities. I’ve gone back to wearing the berlei bra 24x7 that I got at surgery time and doing lymphatic self massage (handout from first visit to Physio). After 48 hours, some reduction in swelling, but I’m getting the feeling that this is going to be an ongoing issue.
I’m wondering if doing any sort of aerobic activity at the gym, where one inevitably roasts in the humidity, is just asking for trouble. And I am not sure how to balance the advice to do exercise to help the lymphatic system work better, but that same exercise making me swell up. I’ve looked up the gym schedule to see if I can go to an aqua workout since I read that water exercise is better for lymphodema. I’m supposed to be building on my fledging amount of aerobic activity so that I can improve my low blood pressure, but that doesn’t seem to be helping swelling.
It seems like I get my head into a happier space, and then gosh darn it I seem to find something to deflate me. I know it shouldn’t bug me but for some reason I can’t quite grasp onto it does.
Then this week I did interval training on the stationary bike (10 minutes totals on the bike), then the next day cycled slowly to the breast surgeon (about 4 kms) for my 4 month checkup. He said all healing nicely, but that I had a bit of lymphodema in the breast. He pointed out that my left breast was quite hot compared to my right breast. And to my dismay, I could see that since last week my left breast had swollen up so that it was larger than my right breast, and I hadn’t really noticed the temperature difference before (although at night, if I’m going to get hot, it will be my upper left torso that needs the blanket off more than any other part. At least at moments I’m finding that size differential bit mildly funny, since the surgeon had said my left breast would end up smaller after the lumpectomy.
I have hit panic stations since the surgeon appointment — I don’t really know why. Cancer meh. Lymphodema/swelling OMG. Maybe I need to reorder my priorities. I’ve gone back to wearing the berlei bra 24x7 that I got at surgery time and doing lymphatic self massage (handout from first visit to Physio). After 48 hours, some reduction in swelling, but I’m getting the feeling that this is going to be an ongoing issue.
I’m wondering if doing any sort of aerobic activity at the gym, where one inevitably roasts in the humidity, is just asking for trouble. And I am not sure how to balance the advice to do exercise to help the lymphatic system work better, but that same exercise making me swell up. I’ve looked up the gym schedule to see if I can go to an aqua workout since I read that water exercise is better for lymphodema. I’m supposed to be building on my fledging amount of aerobic activity so that I can improve my low blood pressure, but that doesn’t seem to be helping swelling.
It seems like I get my head into a happier space, and then gosh darn it I seem to find something to deflate me. I know it shouldn’t bug me but for some reason I can’t quite grasp onto it does.