Next challenge

Thank-you Cis and Happy Easter to you too. Deanne xxx

Thanks Michelle. Just talking with the nurse and now getting all the helpful advice on here has helped me to feel ok about it. I am doing all that I can and that will be enough until I get to see this specialist. Happy Easter. Deanne xxx

Yes the sleeve did help relieve the aching for me yesterday. I am now glad that the physio I saw while going through chemo and radio fitted me for one. 3 radio sessions to go, yay! It is such a relief to get to the end of all that treatment and those constant appointments. Rest up as it has been a long few months for you. Hope your arm continues to behave for you. Getting good treatment and advice seems to be the best thing we can do to keep it at bay. Happy Easter. Deanne xxx

Thank-you for the refresher course in lymphatic massage. It has been a few months since I saw the lymphedema specialist physio that I saw while I had chemo and radio. She unfortunately is on holidays at the moment. Most of what you have said is what I had been shown but it is good to be reminded. Even though I have been able to manage the fluid level up until now, I am keen to see if this specialist doctor can offer something more. I think he is the only doctor specializing in this in Queensland so I was pleased to get an appointment pretty quickly. I know what you mean about feeling angry about the lymphedema. I said to my husband that I am more upset about this than everything else I have been through. It really scares me because once you have it, it is always there even if you can maintain it ok. I could get rid of the cancer (hopefully) but the lymphedema is a different matter. I don't know if it is my imagination but I felt that my arm was a little less achy yesterday after the exercises in the pool and wearing the sleeve for the rest of the day. It really helped to calm me down speaking to the nurse about what I could do until I am able to see someone about it. Thank-you for your advice, it is much more detailed than what I had from the physio. I feel better about it today and determined to not let it spoil Easter. Happy Easter. Deanne xxx

Hi Deanne, I noticed a similar thing to you ( the day I finished chemo :( ) with a build up of fluid in my arm ! I had 19 nodes removed but it seemed to come from nowhere. I saw a lymphodema specialist and was advised to do the massage as discussed above as well as wear a compression sleeve only removing at night until a month after my radiotherapy is completed as it can cause further inflation . I have 3 radiotherapy sessions to go ( yay!) and the swelling in my arm has reduced nothing . I feel it will be something I need to be aware of but am hopeful that if I am vigilant with massage it will not escalate any further. I see my specialist a month post radio where she will decide about the sleeve however I feel even if I get the all clear not to wear it I will still pop it on when I'm at home etc . Occasionally at night my arm does throb ( usually when I've forgotten to put the sleeve on during the day ) I pop it on and feel immediate relief . Hope this helps Happy Easter Sophie xx

I hear you re the lymphedema. I got lymphedema after my second diagnosis. I was so angry!! I found it harder to deal with than my cancers!! Luckily if that is what you have you have found it early. I am now almost 3 years since my lymphedema diagnosis but it is much improved. I don't always have to wear my sleeve, although I still wear it often. I believe it is the time I put in to maintain ace that has helped. Massage is brilliant. I don't know if you have been told this, and forgive me if you have. Before you massage take 10 really big breaths in and out. Right down into your tummy. Then gently massage all your lymph glands...groin, underarm of unaffected arm, above and below collar bone, and neck. Once you do that start by massaging your stomach in gentle strokes down like stroking an angry cat. So not to hard. Then massage across under your chest, and then above your chest. The aim being to take fluid towards lymph glands and away from your affected arm. Then hold your arm up and massage starting at the shoulder massaging away from your hand. Gently work your way down your arm always massaging away from the hand. When you finish, take another 5 deep breaths and re massage all the lymph glands. This is how my oncology occupational therapist who looked after my lymphedema taught me. She is GOD to me. She got my sausage fingers and puffy hand under control. Once again I apologize if I have just told you what you already know. Great you are already massaging. It's amazing the difference it makes. I still do it every single day and believe it has really helped my lymphedema. So great you can get into the lymphedema Dr. I live in Cairns so no such thing up here. But brilliant oncology occupational therapists. I really hope you have a great family Easter and yes dark chocolate is good for us ;) Paula x

I hear you re the lymphedema. I got lymphedema after my second diagnosis. I was so angry!! I found it harder to deal with than my cancers!! Luckily if that is what you have you have found it early. I am now almost 3 years since my lymphedema diagnosis but it is much improved. I don't always have to wear my sleeve, although I still wear it often. I believe it is the time I put in to maintain ace that has helped. Massage is brilliant. I don't know if you have been told this, and forgive me if you have. Before you massage take 10 really big breaths in and out. Right down into your tummy. Then gently massage all your lymph glands...groin, underarm of unaffected arm, above and below collar bone, and neck. Once you do that start by massaging your stomach in gentle strokes down like stroking an angry cat. So not to hard. Then massage across under your chest, and then above your chest. The aim being to take fluid towards lymph glands and away from your affected arm. Then hold your arm up and massage starting at the shoulder massaging away from your hand. Gently work your way down your arm always massaging away from the hand. When you finish, take another 5 deep breaths and re massage all the lymph glands. This is how my oncology occupational therapist who looked after my lymphedema taught me. She is GOD to me. She got my sausage fingers and puffy hand under control. Once again I apologize if I have just told you what you already know. Great you are already massaging. It's amazing the difference it makes. I still do it every single day and believe it has really helped my lymphedema. So great you can get into the lymphedema Dr. I live in Cairns so no such thing up here. But brilliant oncology occupational therapists. I really hope you have a great family Easter and yes dark chocolate is good for us ;) Paula x

Hi Deanne,

So sorry to hear your news.  Do hope you will be able to relax and enjoy Easter and the good weather.  May is only 2 weeks away so hopefully you will manage till then without too much swelling.  You are doing everything right as you always do.  Thinking of you, take care.  Michelle xx

Sorry to hear this Deanne.Isnt it frustrating when you do everything so right,but there are still other things to contend with.Like you said,just do what the nurse suggested,and try not to worry too much.Happy Easter to you and your family Deanne.xoxCheers Robyn