Lymphedema Exercises DVDs?

Suzy, old as black pepper? I love it. It's just that she's kind of patronizing and I can't take her brother with the scarf....And it reminds me of chair exercise in the assisted living. But, it does make me feel better. 

Mary: I am so impressed--I need to seriously exercise

Nitocris: there are medical studies that prove that lymphedema therapy works. If you need any, just let me know. You are an inspiration, and I know Binney is pulling all her lymphedema strings to get you some assistance--and she has lots of contacts.

For example--a quick pubmed search of lymphedema therapy reveals this:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21945108Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2011 Sep 22. [Epub ahead of print]
Breast Cancer-Related Arm Lymphedema: Incidence Rates, Diagnostic Techniques, Optimal Management and Risk Reduction Strategies.
Shah C, Vicini FA.
Source

Department of Radiation Oncology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI.
Abstract

As more women survive breast cancer, long-term toxicities affecting their quality of life, such as lymphedema (LE) of the arm, gain importance. Although numerous studies have attempted to determine incidence rates, identify optimal diagnostic tests, enumerate efficacious treatment strategies and outline risk reduction guidelines for breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL), few groups have consistently agreed on any of these issues. As a result, standardized recommendations are still lacking. This review will summarize the latest data addressing all of these concerns in order to provide patients and health care providers with optimal, contemporary recommendations. Published incidence rates for BCRL vary substantially with a range of 2-65% based on surgical technique, axillary sampling method, radiation therapy fields, and the use of chemotherapy. Newer clinical assessment tools can potentially identify BCRL in patients with subclinical disease with prospective data suggesting that early diagnosis and management with noninvasive therapy can lead to excellent outcomes. Multiple therapies exist with treatments defined by the severity of BCRL present. Currently, the standard of care for BCRL in patients with significant LE is complex decongestive physiotherapy (CDP). Contemporary data also suggest that a multidisciplinary approach to the management of BCRL should begin prior to definitive treatment for breast cancer employing patient-specific surgical, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy paradigms that limit risks. Further, prospective clinical assessments before and after treatment should be employed to diagnose subclinical disease. In those patients who require aggressive locoregional management, prophylactic therapies and the use of CDP can help reduce the long-term sequelae of BCRL.

I read that abstract, and think--my we've come a long way. They acknowledge that chemo, radiation and surgical technique are important in LE and suggest the team all talk to each other to minmize the risk and early LE therapy is best. 

Even when I was treated, none of this was standard. My rad onc told me that studies proved that radiation NEVER caused LE....

Lots more articles where that came from.

Kira

Kira