Go K Go

I slept almost 12 hours, and my hand/arm was taking a beating, as we worked on each other and leg wrapping is a major stress, and the lack of sleep. Today, my arm/hand are a whole lot better.

First thing I learned was: the abdominal work: after we cleared the neck, we worked on the abdomen for a fairly long time--it's working the abdominal drainage, and cisterna chyla: we worked the left lower side, the right side, across the middle. And then we did a long sequence of resisted deep breathing where the person took a deep abdominal breath and we resisted it at the top and then pushed down into one of the "five hands" spots.

The contraindications are active infection, recent surgery, IBS--but it really helps open up the trunk. I know KCShreve does it with a tennis ball.

I really was the student from hell, contradicting the instructor at every turn, but the other students liked it, and one is the head of PT at a large hospital who has done LE work for years, but had only taken short courses before. She brought in a tough arm case--a very unhappy woman who wanted to know when it would go away...and a very smart bilateral leg woman who was furious that it took so long to get diagnosed and get treatment. It sure brought it home.

So, the class was 13 women, and I was the only one who had LE identified at the onset, and one women with bilat mx and reconstruction discovered she has truncal and arm/hand LE--her ps told her it was just post op swelling, another woman had abdominal/leg LE after an abdominal surgery, and another woman has leg LE likely secondary to weight/venous insufficiency. Hmmm, so a third of class figured out they have LE....

Oh, and there were NO course materials on self MLD or exercises for home. NONE. It guess there are some in the Foeldi textbook.

More will come to me. I'm doing stationary circles and pump strokes in my sleep....

Kira

Kira, your mind must be reeling--nine loooooong days of intensity, and on a subject that raises our hackles all the time anyway.

I can't believe those women had to take LE therapist training to discover their own LE. What's WRONG with this picture?!!! What other condition does that happen with? None! Completely bizarre...

Binney, boggled

Congratulations Kira, our precious petunia.

Thanks Ginger.

Binney literally saved me, when I felt so lost and scared.

Right now, my LE therapist runs all her patients by me, so we review the drainage paths and some of the esoteric points she's forgotten (like webbed toes can indicate primary LE)

I was negotiating with a hospital for months, and finally realized that the dysfunction is too big for me, and it looks like I'll be working at a community health center, very few hours a week, but a regular job, where I've covered per diem for >10 years. They've been nothing but kind to me for all that time, and limited exposure prevents burnout, as the patient needs are large, but the staff is awesome.

I was afraid I'd disappoint Binney--and that shocked her--because I'm not opening an LE office, but I'll have loads of time to explore that option. I just need to get out of the house and reestablish a routine.

I recently read a book "I couldn't love you more"--okay, but the author comments afterward were hilarious (to me), her first novel was a huge hit, and her next 4 were unsaleable, and she keeps a corporate job, and but wonders if she devoted her time to writing full time would she have achieved success or just surfed the web.I know myself, I'd do the later. This book, after a 10 year hiatus, clearly sold.

I did use the time off to do the CLT course and give some lectures, and now I need to get out of the house, but at a signficantly lower amount than the last three years, and not working for a lunatic...And have more time for my family, myself.

I'll keep in touch with my CLT colleagues, one of whom runs the biggest rehab in my state, and we'll brainstorm.

Recently spoke to a former colleague who "got it in one": we worked together in a staff model HMO and worked really hard, and she understands work/life balance immediately. 

And, as Binney says, I'll continue to do work in LE, as my own LE won't let me forget it.

Kira

I started the limited job about two weeks ago, and so far, so good.

Disappointed that the other job didn't work out, but it "stunk like a fish"--quoting a smart sister on these boards.

And, there was an article, right here on bc.org, about how shift workers get more cancer, and the job I turned down involved being woken up at night--no way, been there, done that.

Having bc and LE sure does shift my priorities, and allows me to legitimately make taking care of myself a priority.

http://www.breastcancer.org/risk/new_research/20120621.jsp

Funny how if you look, you find LE, even in non-oncology patients....

Hi Kira,

Nothing to regret about the other job.  As you said, you already know what "night shifts" involve and it is better for you that you turned it down.  

If many patients around you are worthy of care and attention, then so are you. If you new job allows you more time, then use it for you.  Self-time is a necessary dimention of self-care. 

All the best with your new job. 

Glad to hear a job came your way! Your efforts paid off in a very short time and you also get to enjoy life a bit. Plus you have helped us so much by taking the Klose training. That must be a very rewarding feeling for you. I am very thankful for your work you do on the threads. A big sloppy kiss from us all!