Lymphodema

Hi Lorraine

When you stretch your arm you can see like a 'cord??' that pulls tight - this is cording.  One lady (from Cancer Support group) told me that these cords can snap (sounds very gruesome to me) and then everything is OK - till you get the next one.  I have only had one, which seems to have disappeared with massage and stretching (I didnt feel anything snap - thank goodness).  I am certainly no expert on these and dont really even know what they are - I think it could be scar tissues and tendons????? - maybe someone else on here can give us the full details.

Take care

Di  :)

Hi Lorraine..i forgot to mention that my therapist recommended tai chi..it is great for the 'fluid flow' thru ur body because of the slow continuous movement..i have been doing this for a few months, and it seems to help, plus i have made a few new friends (bonus!)..and its a great stress relief too

good luck with it all

Sam  :)

Hi Di, Thanku, Yes it will be 2years for me this Sept...I am absolutely grateful to have my life and a case of adjusting! Is cording when you feel the tightness pulling etc?

Hi Lorraine,

I had a mastectomy with full clearance (all lymph nodes in arm removed) 2 years ago and my arm and axilla (underarm) still give me grief.  My underarm and back area are still numb and I often have a full aching sensation.  I have had a couple of bouts of swelling due to fluid, but with massage this eases.  I have been told to be extremely careful of that arm - ie:  must wash dishes with gloves, wear gardening gloves, and be very vigilant with cuts or scratches, etc.  Have had a few problems with 'cording' also, but these settle down with massage and stretching.

It appears that these 'problems' will remain with us forever, but it is a small price to pay as the other ladies have said.

Di :)

Hi Lorraine,

I had a mastectomy with full clearance (all lymph nodes in arm removed) 2 years ago and my arm and axilla (underarm) still give me grief.  My underarm and back area are still numb and I often have a full aching sensation.  I have had a couple of bouts of swelling due to fluid, but with massage this eases.  I have been told to be extremely careful of that arm - ie:  must wash dishes with gloves, wear gardening gloves, and be very vigilant with cuts or scratches, etc.  Have had a few problems with 'cording' also, but these settle down with massage and stretching.

It appears that these 'problems' will remain with us forever, but it is a small price to pay as the other ladies have said.

Di :)

Hello Tonya, Thanks for your advice, it certainly is a big price to pay for a little lump, All the best. Cheers

Hi Lorraine,

I had full lymph node clearance,lumpectomy and radiation back in 2003.My arm used to ache alot but I'd elevate it when resting and did the massaging morning and night.I found that some drugs which caused fluid retention would make my arm ache.It seemed to improve after about 2yrs and I didn't notice it.Last year I got cancer back in the same breast and had a mastectomy.My arm has been ok this time(on off aches with Tamoxifen).But my scar feels like it has duck tape across it-alot of discomfort.My surgeon says it's adhesions and that maybe,in time,it MIGHT improve.  So stay hopeful-your arm might settle down over time. It's a big price we pay when getting rid of a little lump!

                                              Tonya

Hi Lorraine,

I had full lymph node clearance,lumpectomy and radiation back in 2003.My arm used to ache alot but I'd elevate it when resting and did the massaging morning and night.I found that some drugs which caused fluid retention would make my arm ache.It seemed to improve after about 2yrs and I didn't notice it.Last year I got cancer back in the same breast and had a mastectomy.My arm has been ok this time(on off aches with Tamoxifen).But my scar feels like it has duck tape across it-alot of discomfort.My surgeon says it's adhesions and that maybe,in time,it MIGHT improve.  So stay hopeful-your arm might settle down over time. It's a big price we pay when getting rid of a little lump!

                                              Tonya

Thanku Sam, Yes I am doing the lymphatic massage, myself, I have it down pat in the shower everyday now, and use apricot oil to stay moisturised everyday, just in the last month have had to go to physio to be compression bandaged from fingertips up which reduced by 2inches in a week, and have been fitted for compression sleeves and gloves, I had 20 out of 24 nodes removed from right. Thats a hell of a lot isnt it, I will google those sites, I found one in the UK which educated me a bit more about the effects of Lymphodema. I think we have a lot of consequential symptoms that not even Drs are aware of it or if they are,  do not inform you, and I would like to see that changed! My body also contains the heat (5 mins in the midday sun) and I believe it casued this reaction I am going through, and I have begun menopause symptoms again, which they did warn me about! 

Have a Nice Day and Thanku

hi Lorraine...

what a lot you have to deal with!!!..i had a few nodes removed from under my left arm along with the left mastectomy...I have not had a huge amount of problems but i do have regular (every week in the beginning-now every fortnight) lymphatic massage and i hear that the use of compression garments help too..Get in touch with the Lymphodema assoc in ur state and they can recommend a therapist for you...u can also get a reduction on your power bills for the summer (to help with home cooling costs) if ur a member of the association..i have the contact no. for each state..or u could google it..there is plenty of info and support out there, just need to access it :)

I have full range of motion back now, but it did take a while and regular massage helped a lot to relieve the tightness and pain that came with it...the trick is to keep the fluid moving, so learn how to manually massage ur arms urself (or ur partner could do it for you)..it is very gentle and not painful to do but has been good for me...hopefully for you too..

Good luck 

Sam  :)