Lymphoedema Pump

yes it is hard to have it always there as a never going away reminder of the cancer. Most people feel the same.But it gets easier with time. ( 13yr survivor) I just glad i am still alive and count my blessings really helps me.
Glad you joined the LLANZ facebook group, there are  lots of tips in the many comments down the page if you browse the posted comments) 

re mobiderm no i don't tape it down, i just wriggle it in as i roll up my sleeve, sometime i do get hubby to help as it is tricky to get it where i want it. I just bought myself a 3m 'roll' so i can use a bigger piece, chocolate block  size . Before i was just using 4 pieces that only had 7 cubes.Merry christmas to me with some mobiderm. and then they announced a 10% off till 24th dec with code XMAS19

Glad i could be of some encouragement.
Keep on keeping on .

Hi @Kristen, thanks again for your response - there are lots of great / fresh ideas for me to look at.

I have used the pieces of mobiderm under my sleeve previously but had trouble getting it onto / keeping it on the right spots - did you tape it down? I will get some more as it did seem to help soften some of the area.

I've also joined the FB group so hopefully that will help with further hints and tips.

I've found this issue to be one of the hardest in terms of survivorship and do try to actively deal with it but when flare ups happen despite doing "everything right" (according to my therapists), it's hard not to feel a bit defeated.

Thank you for listening :) xx

By cobanding I assume you mean the 3m coban wrapping system Yesfir decongestion phase -intensive wrapping every day by a therapist or in rehab such as at Mount Wilga  . I am too  impatient for that. I would rather wrap myself ,might be good if your spending that long on transport or there are  lots of other wraps such as velco ones  that are easy on and off to give a bit of extra pressure in addition to a compression garment.Just depends on what works for your situation.I likewise find forearm and back of hand are trouble areas.I have found when my neck and shoulder are stiff and tense then it blocks up lower down in my arm.So I work harder on that area with stretches.I also find a soft roller massage  ball eg Kmart.Tennis ball   sized,soft rounded knobs.Rolled elbow armpit helps unblock and allow lymph to flow.also on forearm and everywhere.in upward direction towards armpit helps soften and move fluid.i have found small pieces of mobiderm blocks (7  foam wrapped cubes cut off a roll,looks like chocolate bar shape,google mobiderm) under my compression sleeve definately help when areas are getting firm.i also have a full mobiderm adjustfit sleeve for use sometimes if it getting a bit firm.I recently also got a jobst farrowrap sleeve to go into of my compression when I go for walk and hand piece.the handpiece is great and I been using that more.easy to put on.Gives a bit of extra pressure for the back of my hand and helps push fluid out.I can wear it when driving and doing some jobs .whereas if I wrapped it in comprilan bandages hand  becomes less flexible while wrapped so hard to do tasks like typing  .Just depends on degree of flexibility you can stand,what you need.So many options.Talk to your therapist.The main thing is dealing with it and managing it.The more you can keep the swelling down the better.It will slow the progress of the disease.If you don't it will get harder/firmer and eventually the fluid gets stuck(protein particles get too big to move through membranes).So it great your feeling like your ready to look for some new ideas and work on maintaining it better.Like they say always learn,add things to your toolbox of ideas so when it flares up you have options to deal with it

Hi @Kristen, thanks for your reply, I appreciate you letting me know about your experience. I have some concerns about how much time / effort it takes to set up and do all the preparation and then do the pump each day given I'm working and commuting 4 days p/wk, which takes 10-12hrs out of my day.

I've been avoiding doing the cobanding at the moment as it's so hot but think I'll give that another go before I do anything further, as well as the other things that usually help e.g arm exercises etc. I've never used the roller ball so would be interested to know more about that. My swelling is mostly in my forearm and I do get some hand swelling since I had to have a basal cell carcinoma removed from the back of my hand so would the roller help with that?

Thanks for the link to the Facebook group. I will look at joining. I guess I've been in denial about this issue for quite a while but really I could do with extra support / ideas from those that are living with this problem. Thank you xx

I rented it to try for 3 mths, under guidance of a therapist. i didn't think it did a lot for the time it takes getting set up to lie  flat on floor so , emptying torso,clavical,groin lymp pits  ,deep breathing  pre sequence, then pump sequence. ( adds up to about 1 hour)  I can get more efficient reduction and seems easier using a small roller ball and  various arm movement,exercises, tai chi,overwraps etc. I will save it for when i  get older or sick and less mobile.
But I also know lots of lymphies that love the pump.
Do you know about the facebook group  Living with Lymphoedema – Australia & New Zealand  https://www.facebook.com/groups/376043549464562/