Can't win for losing

PurpleCat

I had a consult at the lymphedema clinic yesterday, more as a precaution and to stay ahead of things than because I was having problems not still related to surgery. The pain and flexibility in the left arm have improved quite a bit in the week since I was referred there, so between that and the techniques I learned and the sleeve I'm about to get, I feel pretty well talked down off the cliff, so to speak, regarding my fear of lymphedema. Well, this morning I woke up with pain in my RIGHT armpit. It feels a lot like the left side has: tightness when I stretch, a sense of tenderness but feels OK when I actually touch it, etc. One of the massage techniques she showed me was to massage that armpit, so maybe I was just too vigorous and it's complaining now, or maybe it's referred or sympathy pain from the other arm, or maybe it's the cancer coming back. Or maybe it's a swollen lymph node because I do feel like I"m catching a cold, but I'm afraid to go feeling around for it because feeling a lump would bring on PTSD.

This post probably belongs in the "emotional health" forum, but I thought maybe someone here would know whether a first lymphedema massage can annoy the rest of the lymph system?