Breast Lymphedema

toomuch, are you staying really well hydrated? It can be harder to do as the weather starts to cool, but it's just as important.

Sorry, but I can't remember if you've learned self-MLD (Manual Lymph Drainage massage), but if so clearing your neck nodes frequently throughout the day might help too. But basically, with swelling between scars, your therapist might just need to work out a new massage pattern (lymph doesn't flow across scars well -- or at all, as some people believe!) There's hope, so don't get discouraged!

Keep us posted! Gentle hugs,
Binney

Ever since my 6 month mammogram a week ago I have had pain and swelling in my breast. Has anyone else experienced this?

My 6 month follow-up with the surgeon is in two days, and I will certainly ask about lymphedema.

Thriver, here's the link for breast/truncal LE:

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/breast_chest_trunckal_lymphedema.htm

There's a good article lower down on the page.

I have LE in my left hand/forearm, and I had some swelling in the breast after rads, but never to the point I'd call it LE: but, last week I had a mammogram, and I'm 3+ years out now, and the tech was gentle, but that night, my breast seemed swollen to me. So, I did manual lymph drainage and it went away in a day. 

With SNB and lympectomy scars, fluid gets trapped in the breast--add rads to the mix, and it's a common problem.

Kira

Thriver--I'm so glad you got the referral and learned how to move the fluid out of there! 

Hopefully, with the next mammogram, you'll be able to get rid of any swelling--if it happens--quickly.

I never really had swelling in the breast, except the post op/post radiation stuff, but did swell for a day or so after my last mammogram--and MLD did wonders. But it was kind of an unpleasant wake up call that this LE stuff could spread.

Glad you're feeling so much better.

Kira

To all, we all have discussed chemo/ anethesia brain. We now can call it anesthesia/chemo/drug brain. This article is in AARP magazine. It discusses the drug classifications that can cause memory loss. It describes why each drug class can cause memory loss. It gives specific names of drugs. It gives alternative drugs that can be substituted. I would suggest reviewing it with your prescribing doc if you have concerns regarding any of your meds. I also suggest you put it in your favorite places on your computer. Also, printing it off for future referrence if you have a printer. Please, pass this on to other BCO friends, friends etc. sassy

www.aarp.org/health/brain-heal...

Haven't been here much in alongggggg time, but this artcle is a MUST SHARE type with those I care about

bump

Hi reposting this on some threads, may be old news to some, but to good of info not to pass this on,Sassy

Bluebird144…NJJoined: Apr 2013Posts: 393

13 hours agoBluebird144 wrote:

Knitted Knockers Charities is a non-profit that exists to provide free patterns for knitters and crocheters to be able to make knockers and help mastectomy patients get freeKnitted Knockers made by volunteers.

I love my Knitted Knockers! They are light and soft and warm. Unlike my silicone prosthetic which is heavy and cold when first worn, then it later causes me to sweat.

I wear my knitted knockers inside a regular bra or tucked in the pocket of a mastectomy bra. They are beautiful, and a godsend to those of us with an uneven mastectomy scar.

Knitted knockers website:

http://www.knittedknockers.info/

Fall down seven times, stand up eight.

Surgery 09/09/2009 Prophylactic Ovary Removal (Both)Chemotherapy 02/06/2013 Adriamycin, Cytoxan, TaxolSurgery 07/19/2013 Mastectomy (Both); Lymph Node Removal: Sentinel Lymph Node Dissection, Axillary Lymph Node Dissection (Left); Reconstruction: DIEP flap (Both)Surgery 08/20/2013 Reconstruction (Right)Surgery 08/28/2013 Mastectomy (Right)Radiation Therapy 10/14/2013 3-D conformal external beam radiationSurgery 01/24/2014 Reconstruction: Tissue expander placement (Right)

Hi, I am sorry for the loss of your husband.  I am interested in your post because I have been diagnosed with breast LE but have not had cancer or radiation.  How common is this, do you know?  I have found a therapist nearby and want to start lymphatic massage -- trying to be proactive but still in the learning stages.

Thank you so much, sas-schatzi!

 BUMP

This thread has been inactive, I had it in my Favs list and started bumping it awhile ago.

The go to people about LE are Binney and Kira i.e.most knowledgeable. I will put their hyperlink names below. There likely is a more current thread.

kira

Binney4

 This thread has been inactive I had it in my Favs list and started bumping it awhile ago. The go to people about LE are Binney and Kira i.e.most knowledgeable. I will put their hyperlink names below. There likely is a more current thread. 

If this doesn't work Pm me sas-schatzi Good luck sassy

kira

Binney4