MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish
Comments
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Something interesting I happened to notice about the lymphatic system. It's not split down the middle. It's not exactly a right side/left side thing. The sides do no do equal work. Who knew? I'm just going to GUESS that there is more risk for LE if a woman has surgery or rads on the left. It is doing the lymph circulation for almost 3/4 of your body. That is a much larger area to guard against injury or infection.
I've not yet seen this pointed out anywhere on BC.org, but then I haven't read the huge LE thread either. No doctor ever pointed this out to me (but then again, LE doesn't even exist to some of them.) Just thought I would mention it. Anyone can look into it further if interested.
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Eli you make an insteresting point. Last weekend on my Casting for Recovery both of my roomates had left breast cancer and they both have developed LE. One was 1 1/2 years out and one was 3 years out when they developed it. The 1 1/2 years out got a bad sunburn at the beach and the 3 year out was playing with her dog and he actidentally bit her instead of the toy and she pull away and ended up with a bad wound. Seems we are never safe from LE. I am left brest cancer and so far so good on the LE even though my breast is still swollen from rads. I get full body lymphatic massages every other week.
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Personally, from the studies in the summer, I would NOT get ALND or anymore lymph nodes taken out than they took with the sentinal node. I do sort of believe in the sentinal node thing, but then I had micromets in mine and didn't get rads! Or chemo! So what difference does it make, really?
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Not having LE myself (yet?) I have not delved too deeply into that particular subject. My mind is just constantly wondering...both a blessing and a curse. (Snicker!)
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The LE board talks about moving the fluid from one side to the other with massage. Apparently it can drain once it gets there. I had rads and have to massage the axcilla because of the pain. My acupuncturist has me using castor oil which is helping with the scar tissue... I massage the oil in and around the incision site ~ it seems to be helping a lot with the pain and discomfort, plus with the LE.
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Yes, that's what the LE therapist that I'm seeing told me, and that once you move it to the non-LE side, it gets absorbed by the body. Now while I don't have LE myself, I do have some fluid buildup to the left of my implant (right breast), and it does feel crunchy/painful when I massage it there. I didn't know that until I had gone to see her, so the visits have been worthwhile, if only for that.
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I got LE even though bc was on the right, but then I have had none of the usual se's from tx and several crazy unusual ones.
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MP-Ok you know when you hear a song and you can't get it out of your head? Well, when I look at the mystery pic, I see an image that is slightly pornographic. Ok I have a dirty mind, I admit it. but I just can't get myself to open my mind to other possibilities. . .
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cmb, Freud's ghost just texted me...he doesn't want you looking at any trains, cigars or monuments.
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But Claire, it's so TINY!

No clue what the picture is, btw... though it certainly isn't a cigar...
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You know the old saying, out of sight--always on your mind. Oh wait. Don't get me started on the when was the last time I had. . . oh never mind.
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And Kitty I remember Nathan as Joey on one life to live, I thought he was so cute back then.

that was awhile ago. . .
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Reesie, I love the party theme!!! You're right, you do have great kids. It's wonderful that you know that and appreciate it.
Mystery pic ... damn, it's a blessing and curse that I get to guess again!! Okay, this time I'll say the bottom of a coffee mug
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Ok, ladies here is what the mystery pic was.....It was a gummy nose so Paula was right on with her guess. I think my mind must truly be in the gutter because when I spotted that package of body parts gummy candy with the Halloween display, that particular one sort of jumped out and me and I thought Wow, I can't believe they can actually produce something like that and get away with it...Xrated candy....but then I realized it was only a nose. I had it propped up on one of those plastic bowls they give you takeout food in so it would be standing erect and yes, it was on my kitchen counter-top. So Claire you do not have a pornographic mind at all because I saw the same thing and thought it was hysterical, but when I showed it to the people I work with they would say it's a nose.
Lory, Chemo can be very hard on your gastro-intestinal tract......I take nexium....you know that commercial for it where they always talked about that little purple pill?...that's it.
Do you remember ever hearing about a procedure where they were reconnecting the lymph system which would eliminate lymphedema.....I think they were doing it in CA.....or did I just dream that? My left breast was removed and I do not have lymphedema in my arm, but I wear that sleeve when I work in the yard or paint or go in a plane......however, I do have a pouch under my arm that gets larger at times....think someone called them dog ears. It is rather annoying, but no one ever sees it.
Goodnight Ladies, I am off to the TV....this is the night for my shows.
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I had to laugh at all the "dirty minds' that were on Marybe's wavelength.

Paula, you really know your x-rated looking Halloween candy! There is a lot of prestige that comes with that, for sure!
Since we had a little confusion this week, we will have Chrissyb post our Mystery Pic next weekend. Darlam was sorry she forgot, but it works out better this way since Chrissy will not be having a turkey hangover (or shopping hangover) like so many of us will.
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My across the street neighbors have their Xmas light up and turned on tonight. Don't they even wait til the turkey gets digested anymore?
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A local radio station has been playing nothing but Christmas songs for over a week. I have already tuned in in the car.
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So I have my 3 month thyroid bloodwork this monning at 7 and then work at 9. Then I go and wake up at 4:45. Visions of work dancing in my head. RRRRGGHH. I really would love a cup of coffee right now--in that in between stage of not being able to keep my eyes open but not being able to shut off my brain.

and I really would love to share some blueberry muffins too. . .
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SeattleT, here's my welcome to our club. I'm a new member, too, and already have found so much support and wisdom. I echo the advice to get a second opinion on the ANLD. Also, read all you can about the pros and cons of that procedure. I had micromets in 1/3 nodes, and my BS said she was not going to do the ANLD, that current thinking was that it would not change the treatment plan and that the risks outweighed the advantages. As you'll quickly learn here, every woman's BC is slightly different, and what's right for one may not be right for someone else. But I think you owe yourself a second opinion.
Good luck!
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Hi Ladies,
Claire I hope your test goes well! I have axillary web (only one SN out) and I went to LE therapist who taught me how to massage the fluid from the left affected arm to the middle and right side of my body. But I wanted to say now that I have had BMX (and am still recovering) I don't see the cording or feel the intense pain down to my fingers on my affected side. Could BMX have stopped the axillary web? Let's hope that's one GOOD side effect. SeattleT I would get a second opinion.
I know some of you hate starting Christmas before Thanx, but to tell the truth I've had such a bad year I am actually enjoying getting in the Christmas spirit a little early this year.
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OMG I am so not right, lol!!! My kids are so screwed up for sure now once they hear this one. The sad thing is I have eatn that halloween candy in the past. I have major issues with candy, lol!
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Welcome Seattle!! I wish I could help with the ANLD, I had surgery after chemo, so I was fortunate(?) enough to only go thru one surgery. Sounds like a second opinion is in order.
Paula and Marybe--I am so glad I am not the only one with a dirty mind. But not always sure that is a bad thing. hehehehe How bout a stud muffin for breakfast?
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Nexium WARNING!!!! Marybe, I was on Nexium years ago and my liver blood panel hit the roof!! My ALT was out of this world!! My doctor (at that time) would phone me up and accuse me of drinking!! I hadn't had a drop of alcohol in years at that point. He FIRED me because he thought I was lying!! Turns out that Nexium can do this to your liver. PLEASE, PLEASE let your Onc know what I just said!!! Please make him aware of my situation.
As for LE and the drainage technique. Actually, you are supposed to drain towards the centre of your chest and then DOWN so the lymph system from your waist down can pick up the extra fluid. If you just push it to the other side, you'll develop a build-up there!!
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Another thought on meds like Nexium is you defiantly do not want to take it at the same time at B12 and some other meds. DH found out that being on prilosec long term cause his B12 to bottom out which in turn caused him to have neuropathy. So now is on a prescription B12 and has to take his prolosic at the opposite time. There was also another meds he takes and I can't remember that has absorption problems with prilosec and drugs like that.
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Thanks for the tip on the drainage/massage technique, barbe. I really do learn so much here, and appreciate it all.

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I am getting ready for Thanksgiving...25 for dinner, 9 people staying here for 4 days. My first big "do" since bc. Now where did I put that energy...I seem to have misplaced it.
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Barbe,the onco is the one who gave me the RX for the nexium!! And for sure he knows we don't want to be messing with my liver since the tumors in there are getting very large.....but when they do those tests, they show that the AST and ALT and alkaline phosphatase ( I think those are the ones that have to do with liver) are always within normal range......I honestly do not understand the whole thing....I mean how can things be so bad, yet I feel so good.
Paula, I myself like that gummy candy, regardless of shape.....also love sweet tarts and smarties which are nothing but pure sugar.....and being a dental hygienist, I know better. At least I don't eat lemon heads or drink Mt.Dew...those are the worst for teeth.
Claire, now out of all the attractive men that you all have been posting on here, you have found one who I myself like best of all, Patrick Dempsey......you know when he was young he was rather gawky and nerdy looking, but grew into his nose....Oh no, we are back to the nose!!
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SAB, that's a lot to take on this year, I hope you're enlisting and accepting all offers of help. Remember it's all about the gathering, nothing else. Enjoy the day for all it has to offer.
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Yes SAB I agree with marlegal. Accept any and all help. Its a time for you to enjoy as well!
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Hi Ladies. I can't believe the number of new acryonyms I've learned the last few months, but there are still a few I'm unsure of. It appears that DH and DD are husband and daughter respectively, but what does the D stand for? Is LE lymphodema? Is there a good list of the BC acronyms somewhere?
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