Quick, probably simple question

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leaf
leaf Member Posts: 8,188
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

My cousin got diagnosed with invasive stage 1 breast cancer about 1.5 years ago.  I think her nodes were negative.  She had excision, chemo, and (I think) rads. 

Her mom, my aunt, says she now has to wear a sleeve.   Does that mean my cousin (almost certainly) has lymphedema? 

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited December 2010

    Leaf, quite  possibly--some "at risk" women will be counseled to wear sleeves for flying, or intense exercise.

    Can you ask your cousin?

    If she has lymphedema, send her over to stepupspeakout

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

    Kira

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  • leaf
    leaf Member Posts: 8,188
    edited August 2013

    Will do, Kira!  Thanks for your Very Quick response!

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  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited December 2010

    Has she been to a LE expert to get a dx?

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  • leaf
    leaf Member Posts: 8,188
    edited August 2013

    I don't know.  There are a lot of complex family issues going on.  My cousin didn't want to touch bc.org, support groups, or anything else because she said she got all the support she needs from a friend who had breast cancer.  I've really resented when people tell me what kind of treatment I should have, so I don't want to do the same to her.

    Another relative confirmed she did have lymphedema.

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited December 2010

    Leaf, families are tough. There's so much stigma and isolation with LE--she's welcome here and at stepupspeakout.org, and I know I"ll look around, and I'm the only one wearing compression, and it's lonely.

    All you can do is tell her she's not alone.

    We've debated if there's something "wrong" with the regulars on this board, but really, there's no other place where people get it, for me. 

    No one here is trying to push any therapy on any one--just help each other cope.

    Kira

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  • leaf
    leaf Member Posts: 8,188
    edited December 2010

    I love bc.org, too, Kira, and love being here.  I'm so glad you are here.  I know you give very honest and helpful answers and options.  As you say, there's no other place that 'gets it'.

    I've hated it when I've had UNASKED for advice.  I'm not so skilled at social graces.  But I can always tell her she is not alone.  That's not treatment advice.

    Thank you so much again for your knowledge and understanding!

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