Can't believe what I have been doing......

Wintersocks, the "ideal" is to go slow with exercise, but it sounds like you're pretty physically fit.

Has your arm swollen at all? Do you wear a compression sleeve?

We need to go on and live our lives, and that's what you're doing.

Right now, I'd recommend you stay hydrated, elevate the arm, and check for swelling/pain.

Do you have any more work scheduled? And have you been lifting before?

Some women can't do much without swelling, and others can do a lot. And a lot of women who post on this board have gradually increased their exercise, some using weights, and can do a whole lot.

We're all different, and sure, lifting heavy bins for 4 days isn't ideal, but it sounds like you made it through the experience without triggering a big flare.

Here's a link to the stepupspeakout site, and exercise information is on the right hand side. http://www.stepup-speakout.org/

If you have a lymphedema therapist, that person can check you out, and you should watch for swelling, "pitting"--puffy swelling that leaves an indent when you press on it, and pain or redness of the skin.

You have to live your life, and not feel trapped by the lymphedema, and this sounds like a rough job for you, and hopefully you can test your limits in a less extreme situation next.

Winter, if you're pitting, you have a fair amount of fluid, and swelling. I'm not sure who termed your Lymphedema " mild", but I think you really need to get some treatment for it, and protect yourself.



It also sounds as though your sleeve may not fit too well, and a glove or gauntlet would help, to stop fluid from going into your hand.



If you can, can you not return to this job? Can you let them know you have Lymphedema and do this kind of lifting yet?



It sounds like things are tough on many levels, but I think this kind of work is putting you in harm's way: mild Lymphedema shouldn't be pitting, but that category is arbitrary. I find it better to consider it well controlled or poorly controlled, and I think your arm needs some therapy.



Can you say no to this job?

Winter, so this is the first time you wore the sleeve, so you don't know if it fits well and if your arm measurements changed. The fact that you still always have pitting cries out for more treatment, IMO.

There is a strong arguement that hands should be protected when sleeves are worn, and there are off the shelf compression gloves, made for arthritis that people can buy in the US, or you can get a gauntlet from the lymphedema nurse. The fact that your hand became purple makes me think the sleeve is too tight and perhaps doesn't fit you well.

Couple of references:

about hand protection: http://www.lymphedivas.com/handprotection.asp

about how garments should fit: http://www.stepup-speakout.org/proper_fitting_of_lymphedema_garments.htm

Winter, I get so upset/mad when I think about how your needs aren't being met: the nurse was useless, IMO. She didn't give you the tools you need to move forward--explain about hand protection, remeasure you, explain how to proceed with exercise, what to do with a flare, and explain that if fluid hangs around in the tissue it can:  create permanent changes--fibrosis, weird fat deposition, and make the lymphedema much harder to treat, increase your risk for serious skin infections.

You need the tools and care to be able to support you and your child.

Can you see another nurse or go back for reassessment. The studies show that the biggest risk for severe lymphedema, is the presence of mild lymphedema. You're just at risk, and that risk can be managed, but they need to help you.