GRRRRRRRRR I HATE LE..........

GmaFoley

Ok now the panic button has come on - The Radiologist today mentioned a breast MRI... They inject dye???? LE??? Will they argue to inject it in the right arm being the lump is in the right breast??? Or does it matter? I'm not a happy camper being I read that on BC.org

KittyDog

I don't think it matter what arm they use to inject you with that dye.  Wishing you the best!

Rockym

Carol,

Thank you for the information about the sleeve.  I really appreciate you taking the time to list the measurements, etc.  I'm glad it worked for you.  The price seemed too good to be true, but I guess it's not always a "you get what you paid for." Thanks.

GmaFoley

Another Question - Sorry I'm bugging you ladies so much.. If we are having trouble diverting the fluid and my good arm is swollen, would it hurt to put a sleeve on that arm? My LE arm is doing great and my good arm is driving me crazy.

kira66715

GmaFoley, before you use compression on the good arm, can you get your LE therapist to check it out? Compression can cause problems if not well fitted, and it's not clear what is going on.

Some women do become bilateral, but they've usually had some surgery, radiation, or chemo on the "good" side to disrupt the lymphatics.

One woman who posts on this forum is bilateral with none of that, but she's a very unusual situation.

Kira

GmaFoley

Kira I did have a shoulder surgery and partial clavicle removal and my LE therapist and I have been talking about it.. He doesn't feel any adhesions on the shoulder scar.. He has said, for whatever reason, my axillary node on my good side seems to be toast so we will divert fluid down and we are doing MLD separate on both sides.. He is watching it, but of course, when it is driving me nuts, he is out of town... Edit This is another reason I am concerned about the dye injection for my Breast MRI.

kira66715

Still wondering why the MRI vs. removal, but typical radiologist--when in doubt, ask for another image.

I had three breast MRI's and they do start an IV for the dye. I used my "good" arm. It's just a little bit at the end, but I found, unfortunately, that the MRI tech was lousy at starting IV's so I demanded the CT tech, and the final one was easy, the first two involved multiple attempts--not good. The IV itself wasn't irritating, just the failed attempts.

Can your surgeon weigh in on whether the MRI will change his/her approach? No point in doing a test if the results won't impact clinical decision making.

The osteology sounds really interesting. 

Kira

GmaFoley

Kira - I'm not sure why radiologist said what he did but will be talking to the surgeon after he looks at the pics.

The most noted osteology job I had was when a construction worker was tearing up a parking lot and found a disturbed burial ground..(lots of legal issues). We end up exhuming all the individuals (39) and identifying age, sex, disease, etc... I really miss that type of work, but because I only have a BA and not an MA, I'm not permittible, so I have to work under someone that is... Really cuts the jobs down..and I usually ended up being a "shovel bumm".. Not happening now  - still dealing with the change in job profession... 

GmaFoley

Surgery it is... no MRI we all agreed it is best to get it out of there...nervous and scared and what to do with the LE stuff but we will see... BTW, never told you all... I'm allergic to antibiotics.... 

KittyDog

Good Luck GMA

I too am allergic to lots of antibiotics.  Penicillin, sulfur and now Cipro. Had the last allergic reaction with pre meds before my hysterectomy.  I blame it on chemo changing my body. It doesn't leave much choices. Then there are like 12 other drugs I have had reactions to plus the lanolin.  grrrr.

I have a question.  I have a red spot on my LE arm that I am watching.  It's been there at least two weeks.  It started as a little red dot and now is about the size of the tip of my pinky.  It is just below the crevice of my arm.  Should I have it checked?  Just let my LE PT look at it Monday and give her opinion or just keep watching it.  It doesn't hurt, itch, raised or anything.  I have wondered if maybe I have done something when putting on my sleeve or if it is irritating it.

Teka

GmaFoley,

When will you know the date of surgery?

GmaFoley

I should know the date some time today.. of course today is my 2 job day... hopefully they will leave me a msg..

ro-berta

GmaFoley and KittyDog, I am allergic to all antibiotics as well Have been since after kids born 25 yrs ago prior to that just allergic to a few. Anyways that was influening in decission making of doing lump instead of mast. Just got back from seeing R.O after my rads. Not impressed with him. Anyhow asked if I had concerns My major one is that my breast is sore and swoller and he just brushed me off saying you mean heavy and hard well Duh! I meant sore and swollen. Anyhow make a long story short He said I do have fluid in my breast but he shrugged it off. I have a question can you have Lymphedema in the breast??? My boob ( or what,s left of it hahaha) went down a bit after a couple of weeks after surgery but it has swelled back up again. When I pressed on it lightly it left white imprints. Oh it is so nice to meet others who are allergic to all anti-biotics just don,t feel so alone any more hahaha. thanx for any info you can give me

Teka

ro-berta,

Truncal Lymphedema.   

ro-berta

Hi Teka- Is that a symptom of truncal lymphedema?? I was just reading some lymphedema sites thinking maybee i am making a mountain out of a....  Actually thinking of stoping the rads cause he ( R.O ) seemed like he couldn,t be bothered he is getting ready for his vaca . and just dealing with the breast surgen. He brushed what little i had to say off. I also explained that i have nausia quite a bit. Just told me it wasn,t from the rads. Sorry just quietly venting and thinking outloud (in my head) hahaha

Teka

RO had me go to an Occupational Therapist for Truncal Lymphedema after completing all radiation treatments and completely recovered from severe radiation burn up under (L) breast.   I was in misery for 31 days after last radiation treatment.   I see no reason for you to stop radiation treatments.

ro-berta

O.K I have the wknd to get my sh@t together hahaha, maybee the swelling will go down and yada yada yada. I appreciate your imput girl thanx. I also have 30 treatments. least the techs are very nice. I will check into the truncal with the surgeon also thanx again!

Teka

Marple

ro-berta~most importantly you are trying to throw all you can at b.c.  However, Surgeons, R.O. etc. are very slow on the uptake to recognize lymphedema (or at least admit that's what you may have).  Could you possibly be referred to a massage therapist who specializes in lymphedema from b.c. treatment?  At least you could get an assessment and tips on how to  handle the rest of your rads.

Edit to add~I see you are from Ontario, me too.  If you are in the Ottawa area I might be able to help you find a MT.

FireKracker

GmaF---gosh that seems like a lot on your plate.Everytime I read (and I do read) I see you in trouble.Just know you are in my thoughts and prayers.This thread is a lifesaver.

I am waiting for Aug.16th to see PT #3.ha.It really is becoming a joke...The truth of the matter is this is a real special profession and everyone thinks they know what they are doing.Just cannot wait to hear what they say.

Altho I know i have truncal LE.I am treating it like I did before.Im sleeping with the after surgery(harness) and during the day im wearing a champion sports bra.Im not changing anything till I see what they tell me.I do think I need a vest.not sure so I will just wait.

anyone have any input?

ro-berta

Hi thanx once again you guys, I am going to phone the BS tuesday morning I have mentioned the swelling that I have about 10 days ago, so I will let her know I still have it and maybee she can refer me to someone. That,s my game plan I think I gave it long enough time ( my second lump was july3) meanwhile I will educate myself as much as possible and see what i could start doing.

Marple- I am quite aways away from you i live in a small town near London, mind you right now Ottawa doesn,t seem so far away!

proudtospin

OK, so my BS diagnosed my truncal lymphodemia.  I ended up having a biopsy a few months later and mentioned it to that surgeon and she said, yes, I can see it on the mamogram!  Trust me, when it is pointed out to you it is easy to see on the screen.

I was referred for PT and did it for a time, learned how to treat myself, mine is not serious so it has been fine but the nipple has never really appeared again!

GmaFoley

Ro-berta - I wouldn't ask your BS to refer you... I would TELL her you need a referal to a LE Therapist for an evaluation... After a year of asking, I finally told them and they did it and I do have truncal lymphedema only in the breast...

Update: ladies I am having the nodule/lump removed on Weds at 12:30 pacific... the nodule is 4.3 x 3.9 cm and he think it will be a quick removal, but I told him if there is anything in there suspiscious please take it OUT!!! Need alot of hand holding and prayers...

GmaFoley

Just found my new pink alert bracelet for my surgery - lost it... But I am thinking, I kinda like Binney's idea better - getting a piece of stockette and write all over it in big letters: DO NOT USE THIS ARM, or NO BP, NO IV THIS ARM.. What do the rest of you think. Little bright pink braclet or big letters on a stockette???

nibbana

I say get the ol' Sharpie out and make the big, black letters. Medical personnel sometimes ignore medical id tags.

Good luck to you GmaFoley. 

ro-berta

Thanx GmaFoley, I will tell her I just wasn,t sure if you could get it in one boob, Also forget the little pink braclet I would do the BIG letters on the sockette least that would get their attention! Consider your hand being held and lots of prayers from me also on wed. girl

Teka

My 2nd chemo port surgery the anesthetist ignored the pink alert bracelet and I had to tell him to use the other arm.   Nothin like a put down in front of the surgeon.

Teka

o2bhealthy

I have old sleeves that I wrote 'NO IV or BP' on...wore them for my last two surgeries with no argument

sandcastle

I, was in Community Medical Center in Toms River, N.J. last May for surgery and they put a BRIGHT PINK NEON Bracelet on my LE arm.....that was the only hospital that I have seen attention brought to the LE arm....Liz