Working with LE

Hi kimber, Im sorry you are experiencing this. Hopefully someone comes along who knows about this. In the meantime there is a recent thread started up about breast LE and you may like to take a peek in there.



I think some ladies here have had to give up their jobs and some havent. It would depend largely on how demanding physically that job is (ie lifting too much) and at what stage your LE is at. For all of us, LE is going to make at the very least SOME difference in our lives. That is, there will have to be some adjustments we make and that takes time to learn about and come to grips with. It's a case of getting things as stable as we can and getting the right garments and the right help from LEist.



You don't say how long you've had LE or what sort of help youve had but please ask any further questions you want to.

Kimber Big gentle hugs. Yeah it's hell. Please don't blame yourself for the knowledge thing or beat yourself up. You are right to feel angry and upset.



We were/are the patients and its up to the Med team to get us wised up but often they dont. Yes we can feel cheated. This has really had a detrimental affect on peoples lives and theres much damage that could have been avoided.



Because a lot of this is conceptual stuff, how are we supposed to know what questions to ask anyway. Also, some of us are more inclined and disposed to do better at research and some of us are not. I was such a mess at dx theres no way I could take it all in. I was like a zombie for months. Be kind to yourself and sometime when you can, you'll get great help from these boards about what this darned LE has served up to us and how we can best cope with it. From that you'll draw from others' experiences.



I had my last chemo in my node side because my "good" side just would NOT give anymore. That may help just a tiny bit, but from now on, don't let them touch your node side. No BP or IVs or other sticks. LE is manageable as we learn to deal with it. It's not easy and yes there's a steep learning curve but its doable.



Is your LEist helping or perhaps it's time to see another?



We are here to support you.

I was also wondering about the photography. Kimba with the right treatment and help I'm sure you would be back into that photography sooner or later, and lets hope its sooner! Hang in there and when you want to, let us know how you are getting on.



Big Gentle and warm hugs.