GRRRRRRRRR I HATE LE..........

Double GRRRRR........the cancer is gone?  They are assuming an awful lot with that statement.

I haven't watched it again but I do remember Dr Bailey saying 'be happy the cancer is gone.' and like all of you have said, I found it to be a very condescending statement from the doctor but very realistic. Dr Bailey wasn't even concerned about the patients quality of life just wanting her to be glad she was alive. and like Binney said, I was also wondering where the garment/wrapping was at. I guess we can't expect the 'little dark secret' of breast cancer to get top billing on a TV show but they could have looked into and showed more methods of treatment other than experimental surgery or at least showed the results of the surgery.

Sheila 

I've never seen Gray's Anatomy, but they should have medical consultants--snd likely they had to look up LE..., and unfortunately, this plot is to real for comfort---clueless surgeon, patient told to be grateful for collateral damage and lifelong disease, emphasis on the "cure--and how we need to be grateful, and inadequate treatment of LE.

Sounds like a reality show to me....

DM13--unfortunately the quality of LE therapists varies widely, but she is there to educate you and should have the answers ready when you ask. IMO. And I was just ranting today, to my amazing LE therapist about how the first PT I saw, made a mess of things and set me up for LE....A good LE therapist is a blessing and an inadequate one can do harm. Good instincts on your part.

Kira

Gottalovened:

"people have no idea"---they sure don't!

Good for you to show the principal what you live with on a daily basis--if it only was a temporary knee strain...

I'm sure you'd love to just be able to dip your hand in paint without thinking about the repercussions.

Sounds like a very grrrrrrrrr day at work

Kira

Hey ladies! I haven't posted in a while but I need some advice..and quick! I just arrived in Mexico yesterday and will be here a week. And it's suuuuuuuuuuuuper hot! My arm is swelling a little due to the heat but will also go down when I'm in air conditioning. I'm wearing my sleeve pretty much all day. Here's the problem. It's a little harder to get my sleeve on and off due to the heat, and today I noticed that there is a rip in a portion of my glove. It's very small but it looks like it's starting to unravel. I'm going to be gone for 2 weeks and I don't know what to do! Is there some way I can stop it from ripping. I'll be in serious trouble if It unravels...

Would nail polish work? Thanks ladies! I appreciate any advice.

Thanks Binney! I have no idea about the fray-check..but I'll check on it. I'm a pretty good sewer..I'd just need to find a needle and some thread. Not sure why I didn't think of that. It's a very tiny area but I'm sure it could quickly come undone.

Ralston, it's a common area to "desquamate" during rads. Silvadene cream is very helpful, and since it's hard not to have "skin on skin" in that area, when you're home, if you can lay with your arm out from your side.

I work in rad onc, and recently we had a patient who is being treated for LE mostly as prophylaxis, and she got that raw under her arm and was very concerned about her LE. She wore her garments, used her silvadene, and did well in the end.

It's difficult, as radiation irritates the heck out of the quadrant.

I'd show your rad onc, and get whatever topical treatment they recommend, and just take it as easy as you can--no heavy lifting on that side, lots of elevation of the arm, hydration and deep breathing and if you have a sleeve/glove, you can carefully wear it.

When is rads over?--I see you're a month in, normally you have another week or two.

For chest wall radiation, they typically use a "bolus" to increase the amount of rads you get to the skin area, and that's why people who get chest wall radiation tend to get more skin reactions.

I am not a rad onc, but I work for two of them.

Kira

Fray-check vs. Fray-block.

There are two (competitive?) products that are not the same.  Fray-check will stiffen what it is applied to, while Fray-block leaves the fabric it's applied to pliable.  You might want to consider starting with Fray-block.

LisaAlissa 

My dear friend died from breast cancer last week. I have been so sad. I know her quality of life had declined, and at least she is now free, but I am feeling rather lost. Hard to know you will never see someone again. She was a bright, thoughtful, kind and beautiful woman and will be missed by many.



On the flip side, another dear friend who was treated for BC last year and then developed LE, had a bout with cellulitis this weekend and is now on antibiotics.



Make it stop. Please, someone, make it all stop. What doesn't kill you does Not make you stronger.

I agree Tina.  Sending gentle hugs and a fresh out of the oven batch of brownies.

Oh Tina,  I feel for you for the loss of your friend.  I have been to two funerals in January for friends who have died of breast cancer.  It was so hard watching them decline.  I try to remember them as the vibrant women they once were.  One had LE and always had on her sleeve.  All of this is a bummer!!

Good for you Becky, let them know that there is an important condition that they don't put on the form.

Sheila 

Thanks for the brownies and kind words. Becky, I cannot imagine two funerals in one month. It really is difficult watching someone decline. Yes, remembering them as the vital person they once were is helpful.



You guys make me laugh with these stories about clocking yourself or husband while donning a sleeve. I've already done it to myself once - in the airport bathroom.



Yes, I always include lymphedema on forms in bold letters.

I'm so sorry that you ladies have to deal with this & sending you all positive thoughts & blessing for improvement.  As far as people aking you personal questions, I have a lot of experience with that...  We adopted my eight year old daughter from China when she was eleven months old.  People were always asking us nosey questions.  By the time she was two, it was getting too close to the point that she could understand the questions & comments.  "How much did she cost?  What happened to her REAL parents?  Couldn't you have your OWN children?  and so forth..."  While we're very proud of our family, some of the details are obviously personal.  

Anyway, my point is to share some possible responses to personal questions:  (1) Why do you need to know?  (this shuts them up every time)   (2)  That's a personal question  (3)  (said in a whisper...) I'm so sorry, but I guess I should tell you it's not really polite to ask people personal questions about their medical issues.