Thanks InkPetal, Brenda5 and Karenhappyquilter for your thoughts. It is nice when you know that other people have shared /unnderstood your situation (and kept a sense of humour!).
Brenda, your observations re Burrum Heads is very interesting as it is the heatwaves in particular that I find hard, but we have a number of pets, so long periods of house sitting are out unfortunately., though it may be possible to "test the waters" for a shorter period.
Karen, I did go without a bra in the summer months last.year, but the radiation therapy did increase the lymphodema such that I feel I need the.bra, but I did forget about sports singlets for some slight compression, which I remember now was an option mentioned during my radiation therapy treatment if the skin got too sore - I will pick one up tomorrow to give it a try