Lymphoedema compression bra cost
After months of trying to use a sports bra with a lymph flow pressure pad my lymphoedema physio has just recommended I move to proper lymphoedema compression bras and am gobsmacked at the cost. I rang the State Wide Equipment Program who fund lymphoedema compression garments in Victoria who advise bras are not covered under this program. Does anyone have any other suggestions for how to get these at a subsidised cost? I don’t have $700 laying around to get 2 bras and a night time compression band.
Risk of Lymphoedema following skin cancer punch biopsy?
I was diagnosed in June 2018. I had 6 months of chemo, then surgery, followed by 3 weeks of radiation. I have avoided needles and having blood pressure measured from the arm where the nodes were removed. I now have a suspected squamous cell carcinoma under my index fingernail and a suspected melanoma on that arm. I have been referred on to a dermatologist as the skin cancer specialist at the clinic was reluctant to do it due to risk of lymphoedema. Anyone had anything similar?
Some neat programs available on Counterpart ..... you can sign up to them
There are some programs on Counterpart (which is based in Vic, but hopefully members in any state should be able to sign up) - on Scanxiety (particularly for those with Mets) ... Lymphoedema, you can do Yoga, even belly dance - and meditative painting ... and also peer support. Check the programs & events here - and bookmark it for the future too. https://counterpart.org.au/events-programs/events/
6th March, World Lymphoedema Day
How many are aware that yesterday was World Lymphoedema Day, or that March is Lymphoedema Awareness Month? I will admit to some disappointment that BCNA has not made any mention this year Are any of you aware that in the Lymphoedema community it is considered best practice to obtain measurements with a Lymphoedema practitioner before surgery? This enhances the possibility of early detection of changes. Early detection is key to good management. A small percentage of those who have a sentinal node biopsy will develop lymphoedema while 20+ % of those having a lymph node clearance will develop lymphoedema. This holds true for many cancers and associated surgeries. I was lucky. About the only good thing the local BCN did for me when I saw her (after much pushing during pre surgery chemo) was to suggest I see our local private therapist for measurements before I had my surgery. That was five & a half years ago. About 4-5 weeks post op I complained of an "achy" arm and she told me to get an appointment with the physio asap. I saw her 10 days later, on the day I started Radiotherapy. By that time, my watch was getting tight on my wrist. I left that appointment in my first compression garment. I've been lucky. My lymphoedema has remained stable, in large part thanks to that early diagnosis. Doctors get very little education about the lymphatic system and lymphoedema, so don't rely on them to always recognise it or to know how it should be managed. For that, you need a physio or OT with specialised training. Lymphoedema in Australia doesn't have a Medicare item number. Public hospitals with Lymphoedema clinics find money from within their existing budget but can't claim against it for additional funding. There is great inequity across states in how (if one exists) garment subsidy schemes work. For example, after not having a scheme at all, and after many years of advocacy from their support group association, South Australia finally got a scheme in the last 12 months I'm sure that there is a lot more that I should be saying, but thank you for reading if you've got to the end of this post Please open this attachment for some more information about Lymphoedema
Breast Cancer surgery - the gift that keeps on giving
Hi all. Feeling a bit down about just being diagnosed with lymphoedema. Thought I had dodged that bullet, but alas, no. The Lymphoedema specialist gave me a booklet by Cancer Australia, but it lacks practical advice from women who have been there, done that. Lymphoedema affects my fingers, hand and arm. Grateful for any advice you might have. Also appreciate any websites or forums that may help. Thanks in advance, NadineThe gift that keeps giving 😞
http://liz.oriordan.co.uk/CancerBlog/moving-on/?post=one-door-closes I just received this blog post in my email What Liz has to say is all so true and so devastating. I've been navigating loss of job & identity since before my BC diagnosis nearly 4 years ago, but bc continued to take. I developed lymphoedema very soon after surgery, going into my first sleeve at the 6 week mark. At the time I was working in a clinical nursing capacity. I continued in that job for around 6 months, during which time my very supportive workplace tried to find as much non clinical work for me as possible. In the end, as I was only working 2 days a week, but needed more days financially, I decided to look for alternatives. I was very lucky in the last 2 & 1/2 years to have found 2 non clinical nursing roles, that I've thoroughly enjoyed. Like Liz, if I'd been working in the cancer sphere, I don't think that I could have coped with that emotionally. Just shows how cancer doesnt discriminate. I'll be thinking of Liz, & wishing her all the best as she moves in to this next phase