Any artists here dealing with LE?

Mandala, I'm no artist (don't I wish I could create beauty!), but there are some artists with lymphedema who post in this forum from time to time, so I hope we will hear from them.  I can tell you that I've been able to return to every activity I hold dear, so yes, there's hope!  One of my goals was to be able to pick up my grandkids until they're too big to want to be picked up--and I have been able to work, slowly but surely, to build strength following special precautions for those of us with LE, and I have no trouble lifting, picking up, tossing about and otherwise playing with the little ones. Like you, I had bilateral mx/diep, so I know that you're coming back from the recon surgery and its weight limitations, too.  You'll get there!

The first step on the troubled arm is treatment, so if you haven't been working with a qualified therapist, do take Binney's advice and get help asap so you can get back to what you love.  In the spirit of being totally honest, some women do have stubborn LE that they manage to reduce, but that does continue to make some activities difficult. But before you put yourself in that group, do whatever is needed to get the best treatment you can find. The very good news is that you are quite recently out of surgery. If you have LE, you've caught it at an early stage when you have the best chance of getting it under control and regaining your ability to lift a child and perform wonders with a paintbrush.

Wishing you the best!!

Carol

My LE therapist is an LMT (massage therapist) but LANA certified and well trained and she'll do sliding scale and charges between 75-100$ for a two hour session.

An official PT session will be billed to insurance at a higher rate, but often if it's self pay, they charge the discounted rate that they receive from insurance.

The first LE clinic I went to, charged a visit at close to $400/hour--and they were staffed by massage therapists (who can't collect from insurance, have to bill under a PT) and for some reason Blue Cross allowed the entire amount. Other hospital and community PT's seem to bill at around $250/visit and get half of that from insurance.

Speak to billing or look for a massage therapist--they can't participate with insurance--no insurance reimburses for LMT/RN/MD delivered LE services, so they'll likely work with you.

I found one of the posters a Vodder trainer, and she charged her a sliding scale.

By the way, I'm nearly 5 years into this journey, and it's in my dominant hand, and I'm not an artist, but work with my hands, and started a drawing class recently, and it's fine. But a few years ago, started work where I had to do a lot of writing and struggled for a while with swelling in the hand and wrist.

Kira

hi mandalab. I am an artist and I write and draw and paint and am a silversmith. I was trying so hard to get them to leave my lymph nodes, because i really did not want to deal with lymphedema. 25/30 were positive, so now i am dealing with it. I also remodeled houses for a living and worked at a museum building out the exhibits. cant do that anymore. luckily, it is not in my dominant left hand, but  it is still a hassle and a half. I reallly hope you can find some help. LANA certified. I did look on youtube just to get a general idea of what the correct way to do it yourself is. You will get stronger, you will paint again.

I am an artist.. An art teacher as well .. Still in chemo and haven't had surgery yet but these r definitely fears I think about.. Left breast left side left alnd to be had and i am a lefty .. Just left hoping it won't affect my art and my arm

Thanks you so much.. I feel a ton better now.. One less worry! Super appreciate the feedback!