The need for proactive approach to lymphedema

I was given the leaflets etc and told to be careful but that was about it. My Drs didn't seem to inform me, or ever ask about it. As I didn't get lymphedema with my first diagnosis I think I just assumed I wouldn't get it after my second diagnosis. Looking back I was really a sitting duck. 7 nodes removed 1st diagnosis followed by chemo and radiation and them a further 6 nodes removed the second time around. I had developed a small infection under my fingernail of my affected arm. Still the penny didn't sink!! It wasn't until I got the aching arm etc that I finally realised what was happening....probably too late. Sure I had read the literature but with all the other stuff going on it wasn't a high priority. I really wish more emphasis had been placed on it and maybe I could have done more to prevent it. Who knows. I even think on this site lymphedema doesn't seem to be discussed that much, or maybe I haven't been seeing the posts. Thanks for bringing it to our attention. Paula