Carol or Binney

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Tamiami
Tamiami Member Posts: 396
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

Carol and Binney~  I'm looking for your advice about something.  The LET that I saw for evaluation was awesome!  She noted mild LE in my shoulder/armpit area, and moderate truncal LE on the side of my breast.  She suggests wrapping the arm from shoulder to fingers, and adding foam inserts to compress the side of the breast for 3 weeks.  If I do the wrapping for my LE then I won't be able to work for another 3 weeks...I'm a hairstylist.  Since my LE is primarily in the breast, my PS reccommended trying a sleeve (gauntlet during my off hours) and then the foam inserts for the breast for 3 weeks, and then reassessing.  If that didn't work, then I could take 3 weeks off and try the wrapping.  It sounds logical and like a great compromise...do you see anything wrong with this approach?

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited February 2013

    Tamiami, it sounds like you've found a great LE therapist who's willing to be flexible enough to make this work for you. YES!! The plan makes sense to me, but it means you'll need to be vigilant and to stay in contact with her. Any questions or concerns, see her right away.

    You're in a field that can result in nicks and burns on your hand and fingers, so you'll also want to keep topical antibiotic handy. Wash any nicks at once and apply antibiotic, and do your best to keep the area clean until it heals. It's hard to stop and do that in the middle of your work, but avoiding an infection is definitely worth it.

    Do please keep us posted. Really happy you're in such good hands!
    Gentle hugs,
    Binney

    Edited to add: Other helps throughout the day would be to stay really well hydrated and to remember to take a few deep abdominal breaths between customers.

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited February 2013

    Binney~  You are the best!  I was lucky with my LET...she was recommended by my PS and is at the same medical building about 2 miles from my house!  Then I checked the StepUp website and found her listed on one of the links as well!  I am assuming that she will work with the plan...my PS actually came up with it. 

    Yes, the risk of burns and cuts are there...and I usually do one or the other about once a month!  I will definitely have neosporin at my station as well as bandaids!  Hydration is never an issue for me, but I will remember the deep breaths!

    Thank you, thank you, thank you!

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  • carol57
    carol57 Member Posts: 3,567
    edited February 2013

    Tamiami, I was working (bah!) and missed your post earlier.  I can only add to Binney's post that I too, am so happy to hear that you've found a great therapist!  Good for you, and best wishes for great response to the treatment plan!

    Carol

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited February 2013

    Carol~  Thanks so much to you too!

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