Lymphedema guidance

Well, I finish up my Lymphedema therapy this week. My therapist said that I am down to 1% swelling and am capable of handling it on my own with self-massage and my sleeve. However my range of motion is still horrible. I can't raise my arm above my head. So my oncologist has referred me for physical therapy. I start it tomorrow. My Lymphedema therapist told me last week that was probably best. I have been traveling an hour to see him. And he said a PT can help me with the range of motion better than he can and I can get that 5 minutes from my office. Which is where they referred me. He just told me to remind them that I am a breast cancer survivor with mild Lymphedema and he said don't let them beat me up.

I am STILL waiting for the referral to a LE therapist! This has gone on for weeks while I go back and forth between my MO's office and my PCP's office. Finally today my PCP's office called the MO's office for me. Hopefully I will have a referral by the end of the week. I am hoping I am still early enough to be able to cure this. I have days I don't notice anything and days like today that my bicep is tight and my whole arm hurts and my fingers swollen.

TaRenee, I was just wondering about that. My right (LE arm) thumb was tingling and now it’s numb on top as is the back of my hand and lower arm. And I was wondering if this is because of the wrapping or the LE itself. And what I could do about it...

Well I wore my sleeve to work today. I don’t know if it helped. May take a few days. It still feels numb. I’ll keep trying.

natsera, my LE therapist told me after he wrapped my arm if it felt too tight, or if I had pain or numbness at any time to take it off.

hugz4u, my gauntlet causes just the fingertip of my thumb to go numb. It's a very strange feeling. Lol They told me to put something with a slightly larger diameter than my thumb in the thumb hole and stretch it.

Ah, Cpeachy, I'm so sorry you're faced with this new nastiness! And how frustrating to have to wait so long to address it (though that sure happens a lot--lymphedema therapists are busy folks). You need to know you're in good company on the emotional drag of this diagnosis--it does smack us hard, right in the self-image among other things. Here's an article that has helped some of us cope with that part of it:

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

And here are some suggestions for what to do while you're waiting for that appointment:

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/How_You_Can_Cope_wi...

The treatment itself is gentle and not uncomfortable, so something to look forward to without dread. There's a learning curve for sure, but once you're equipped with the information and new skills you need it's all manageable. Hang in there, and please do keep us posted.

Chocolate helps! Gentle hugs,
Binney

Thank you ladies for the replies. Binney4, I have been checking out the links- wow is that first one extensive! Probably needed, as I’m still trying to accept my physical limitations. (Shoveling anyone?)

Hugz- that’s a great idea. I may have to look into finding boys sizes though because I’m pretty small and I doubt a men’s small will do much for compression on me. I didn’t see any on their website, but maybe a sporting goods store. The women’s sleeve may be too short, and long sleeves are out of the question with the hot flashes! I will keep looking

I have a question : my lymphedema in my right arm is mild at this point. I'm wearing a sleeve during the day (goal is preventing it from getting worse) and my therapist told me that I could either sleep free or wrap it at night. But I don't really understand the criteria for making that decision. If my right wrist is ½ inch bigger than my left wrist and forearm part of elbow is ¼ inch bigger and upper arm where the deltoid muscle indents is actually ¼ inch SMALLER, I'm just confused as to what I should or shouldn't do. I just know he said not to sleep in the sleeve.

Any advice? Thanks!

Question: Any recommendations on good weather proof gloves to wear for light gardening? My LE is very mild (“pre LE” is what my PT calls it), but I want full protection out in the garden. I wear compression when exercising, flying or if I get that heavy achy feeling in my arm.

Spring is almost here.... I think

Hi ladies. I need some help. On my Left side, where the lymph nodes were removed, the cancer side, the back of my elbow going up my arm is numb. Not heavy. Not necessarily swollen. Numb. It has been this way for a few months. Wearing compression sleeve doesnt seem to help. When I take it off the numbness returns. I had really nasty cording on that side and PT got most of that cleared up (finished PT in Jan). Any suggestions