Cooler Sleep - Mattress, Gel Pad, Sheets
Hello, I'm finding my mattress is holding heat in the night and waking me up. I'm wondering if anyone has used a Cooling Gel Pad under their sheets or mattress protector? Does it make you sweat? I'm interested in any tips on cool mattresses, mattress protectors, pillows or sheets to help this problem. I'm 18mnths since end of BC treatment, on Femara, I was perimenopausal at diagnosis, and now have consistent hot flashes but not buckets of sweat. I can sort of cope with this with CBT, wearing layers, fans, etc. I also have breast lymphoedema so cool sleep is super important. I feel there's got to be a better combination of mattress, mattress protector, pillow and sheets to help this problem. I've looked back through previous posts, but thought I'd start a new one as summer has started :-/ Many thanks. Grace
Feeling challenged by clothes shopping?
I'd like to reach out to other women who find it hard to buy clothes because of changes to their bodies brought about by breast cancer. I'm almost 60 now and have lived with a mastectomy for over 20 years, with a handful of those years as a younger woman dressing around a reconstruction that I had removed back in 2006. I have felt quite frustrated over this entire period with how hard it has been to find clothes with high necklines that don't gape and that also disguise the imbalance I have in my breast shape and nipple outline. I've never regretted having the mastectomy - but have been really surprised at how down I would get with clothes shopping, for I consider myself to be a fairly strong and resilient person. Over a decade ago now I surveyed 423 affected Australian women about difficulties they experience - and realised some of us live with quite a significant and silent problem. About two years ago I approached the fashion industry to see what could be done for us generally, after struggling for months to find an outfit for my daughter's wedding. I met with some very supportive retailers and from there sourced a web developer to build a fashion site tailored to our needs. It includes a filter that enables browsing by selecting for a whole range of design features that women after breast cancer seem to look for but struggle to find - e.g. loose sleeves for lymphoedema management, high necklines and disguising patterns to name a few. The site is called Pink Collective Styling and it's listed within the BCNA Service Directory which is found under the Menu Tab "Understanding Breast Cancer", then selecting for "Find Services & Support Near You" and then "Physical Appearance Support". This has just been a subject that has got under my skin over the years because I feel it's an unnecessary burden to have layered on top of all the tough decisions that go with breast cancer and getting on with life. I am keen to hear from anyone who can recommend a fashion label or retailer that you've found offers a great range that 'works' for your needs so I can continue to grow the site and make it as broadly useful to the breast cancer community as possible. I'd also be very keen to hear where the site doesn't quite cover your particular needs if you too find clothes shopping a struggle. Julie
Red swelling rash
I’ve just noticed a red swollen patch on my affected breast. It looks like the breast lymphoedema rash, and I do have lymphoedema in that area which has been treated for the 3 years since surgery. Last week I went to the physio lymphoedema for massage and she said I had made steady progress and that I was almost at the end of her treatment. Now yesterday this 5 cent raised red patch, surrounded by the telltale orangepeel and blush for a 6cm diameter area. Any thoughts out there?
Lymphedema and bras?
Hi everyone, I haven’t been on this forum for awhile, I have a question. I’ve been wearing new supportive bras for a few weeks ( no underwires), discovered since wearing them my arm , surgical area and breast is swelling and tender. Have been having lymphatic massages every 3-4 weeks as a preventative , started dry brushing, and I have a sleeve to wear during the day when I feel the need, or if I know I’m going to be using my arm a lot doing gardening etc. Unfortunately I’m a 12E, so going without a bra makes my back sore by the end of the day. Wore a crop top today, arm feels better, but I need more support due to my breast size , looking for recommendations and ideas that has worked for you. Has anyone else been down this path? Thank you in advance.
Baseline Measurement for Lymphoedema
Due to cording issues, I see a specialist physio on a reasonably regular basis. The clinic treats cancer survivors and obviously, lymphoedema issues. Last visit, the physio decided it was time to measure and scan me again for any swelling in the arm. My scan came out high (but it's a new machine so possibly that could be a factor) while my measurement came out low. I'll be getting it checked again at the next visit. Unfortunately, I have no baseline from before surgery to compare to. I asked the physio if this shouldn't be done for everyone before surgery and her comment was that it should be but never is. My question is: has anyone had a baseline measurement done before surgery? I'm curious as lymphoedema can be such a problem so it would seem to make sense to be able to recognise it before it gets bad. Is this just another area of "after" that is not considered?
Jigsaw puzzles
I don't know why my physio didn't suggest it to me earlier but I have stumbled upon jigsaw puzzles for therapy. The repetitive movements of sorting pieces has done my lymphedema arm the world of good. Sitting around with not a lot of energy is boring and I put on movies to watch but I still like to be doing something to keep my mind and body active. Some knit or crochet, I do puzzles. :)
ACT Lymphoedema Support Group
Hi all. It's a long time since I've logged in to the forum, though I often lurknand read without logging in. This time 2 years ago, I had just had my last chemo, and was preparing for surgery at the end of the month. Time flies! I just want to alert anyone in the ACT region to this information session. The group itself is open to anyone with lymphoedema, whether primary or secondary. It's a group that is still quite new, less than 2 years old. Anyone is welcome, whether you have lymhoedema, or are just looking for information. Hope to see some of you there Lyn
Cautionary tales
You learn something new every day. I have had lymphoedema for four and a half years, with remarkably little trouble, so discovering I have cellulitis was a bit of a shock. The good news is that my immune system is working well and the redness and swelling had abated dramatically even before I got to my GP. But antibiotics essential. Bad news is that once encountered it may recur, but at least I now know the warning signs (felt freezing cold!) and that you don't need a cut or scrape to start it! Apparently manicures are not unknown and unwitting agents of the microscopic bug that can do it. So take care about trimming or otherwise treating cuticles, even if your salon like mine is pretty good on hygiene. I think I'll stick to my hot wax pedicures - highly recommended for neuropathied feet! - for a while.
