Mastectomy for 2nd cancer on same side as LE?

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kateness
kateness Member Posts: 18
edited September 2015 in Lymphedema
Mastectomy for 2nd cancer on same side as LE?
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  • kateness
    kateness Member Posts: 18
    edited September 2015

    I'm in the middle of neo-adjuvant chemo for my 2nd cancer on the same side. I have fairly mild LE, which focuses mainly in my hand, but I am able to manage it with watching myself, my diet, stretching, etc. I'm starting the research for a double mastectomy (L+rad not an option on a previously radiated breast) and I'm wondering if LE affects my options at all. Anyone out there been through similar stuff?

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited September 2015

    Hi kateness, welcome to Breastcancer.org! We're sorry that you have to be here, but glad you've found this community full of knowledge and support, and hope we can help you make the decisions!

    We hope you get responses here soon. In the mean time, there are other forums where you can find members who have gone through similar situations, such as:

    We hope this helps. Please, come back and let us know what option you finally choose!

    The Mods

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited September 2015

    Hello, Kateness, and welcome! (Love the screen name--it's a fighter's name!)

    LE should not affect your options, though there are steps you can take to make any option you choose less of an LE problem. Do you have a good LE therapist? If not, here's help finding one:

    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified...

    You'll want a pre-surgery session to get new baseline arm measurements, pick up any hints s/he might have to offer, and be sure your LE is in the best possible control before proceeding. Scroll down to the bottom of the page below for more tips for surgery in an area already affected by LE:

    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Emergencies_and_Med...

    Hopefully your surgery team will be on board with you about LE concerns. Wishing you smooth sailing and a quick return to NED.

    Gentle hugs,
    Binney


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  • kateness
    kateness Member Posts: 18
    edited September 2015

    Excellent advice, thank you for the links. Absolutely right thing to do to check in with a therapist, and helpful to link to find a new one sine I have moved across the country and need to start from scratch!

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