Newbie with questions

PeggyDixon

I have mild lymphedema and started wearing a sleeve 3 days ago. I had breast cancer surgery with 28 nodes removed in 2006 and had no problems until a lot of heavy lifting about 4 weeks ago - apparently this triggered the lymphedema. Anyway, I have been feeling better since I got the sleeve except sometimes my fingers swell a bit and are cold. Does this mean the sleeve is too tight or is it just something to get used to? Also, can I continue to play guitar? The neck and frets are on my affected side. I guess I have a steep learning curve but those are my two urgent questions for now. Thanks so much.

kira66715

Peggy, do you have a glove? If your fingers are swelling, and you don't have one, you're possibly moving fluid into the hand, which is very difficult to treat.

I think that you should play the guitar and see how it impacts your swelling. You need to avoid cuts on the fingers, but I bet you have calluses.

I'm going to link to  the stepupspeakout site for treatment,

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/treatments_for_lymphedema.htm

Here's an article on the importance of hand protection with a sleeve

http://lymphedivas.com/lymphedema/gauntletandsleeve/

It's a steep learning curve, but it's doable, and I hope you have a good therapist to guide you.

I don't like the finger swelling--you don't want hand swelling.

Kira

PeggyDixon

Thanks for your reply and for those links Kira.....very much appreciated. The sleeve I have has a partial hand attached....it has the thumb but not separate fingers. Is that called a gauntlet? I am seeing the local lympedema nurse on Thursday so I have stopped wearing it until then thanks to your advice. I will ask her about the finger swelling and meanwhile I will continue to play guitar carefully!!