Backpacking and Canoeing

HI, Karla,

I had a big wade of nodes taken from one side, then a single node removed from the other side 5 years later. I am very active with hiking (carrying a heavy pack), biking, and climbing, and have had no problems with LE, fortunately.

Right after I had rads, though, I did have a little scare. I was hiking part of Mt Whitney, and using my poles at a pretty high altitude, and my hands got really cold. When I got back down to the car, my hand was swollen. I got some LE treatment the next day, and have had no problems since. I did wear a compression sleeve when hiking at altitude for about a year after that, but have long since put that away.

I think pretty much that you can do whatever activites you were doing before, but you just have to be cautious. Your body is used to all that paddling, and I'll bet you have good circulation, so hopefully the lymph channels will adjust quickly. I personally believe your biggest risk would be from some bite/infection to your compromised arm.

Perhaps Binney or someone will see this note and give some additional advice. Or you may want to post this on the LE forum. But for me, I have not had to reduce my activity at all, and am going at it all even harder than before. So, be smart about infection, but don't give up on the stuff you love!!

Anne

PS: Make sure your pack fits you really well along the shoulders, and take breaks from it a little more than you normally would, at least in the beginning.

I have had a bilat mast, 10 lymph nodes out on both sides, no reconstruction.  I also have mild le.  

I climbed and hiked before my bc diagnosis and have continued climbing hiking without aggravating my le.  I don't backpack because I have an artificial hip and can't carry heavy weights.    Here is what I find helps to control my le:

1)  I wear compression shirts and sleeves when I climb and hike.  If it is too hot to wear compression garments, then I don't wear them but I do monitor myself.    If I notice my chest or arms feel odd or heavy, I cut back my activity.   

2)  I always use hiking poles.  I would get dependent edema when hiking, pre bc, and find that it starts more quickly now.  Using hiking poles pretty much eliminates it.

3)  My day pack fits well & has a good hip belt  so much of the weight is transferred to my ships not hanging from my shoulders.  

4)  Because I am concerned about cellulitis, I carry an emergency supply of antibiotics in my first aid kit.  If I get a break in my skin, I treat it right away.  I've had cellulitis 2x, in my leg, so am real, real careful and consider cellulitis to be a medical emergency.  I will cut a trip short if I develop any problems.  My partners know that,

5)  My Jovi Paks (arms and chest pad)  travel in the car with me and I use them when I need them.  I have even taking them camping with me.  

Karla, I know your situation is a bit different than mine as it sounds like you do not have a le diagnosis.  You don't have to quit doing what you want to do, just start out slow, and see how your body reacts.   It might be a good idea if you can see an le therapist, for advice and to monitor your arm and chest volume.  One more thing, I would talk to an le therapist about reconstruction and how it effect your chances for developing le.  

I did some river canoeing a few years ago--weekend trips with 6 hours or so of moderate paddling daily and camping overnight.  I wore a compression glove and sleeve and drained (mld) frequently.  The paddling exacerbated a mild case of lymphedema in my hand and the horrific humidity contributed to the problem.  Nevertheless given an opportunity, I would do it again.  Perhaps you could start slowly with just an hour or two of paddling and gradually build up to a longer trip.  (Note that I "dove right in" and probably shouldn't have.)

Good luck.

Sue