GRRRRRRRRR I HATE LE..........

Shelia- I was diagnosed in March 2017 so I'm still pretty new at this to. I have learned so much from the ladies on this thread and other threads on here. I have a constant issue with cording. My swelling has not been to bad. I have truncal LE also. My boob is te worst! I have to wear a compression bra and swell spot wrap everyday. My affected side is my dominant hand. This has been a challenge as I've discovered I am very right-handed! I've had to learn to do lots of things with my left hand like carrying groceries for instance, when I'm working in the yard I always try to use my left hand which is so awkward but I'm learning and most importantly when I reach for things I use my left hand and if I'm petting an animal I don't know I always use my left hand. I've had cellulitis twice and a bacterial infection once and they're not fun! I was told no more than 10 lb with the affected side which is hard for me because I can lift 106 lb like nobody's business!(I have an adult multiple e handicapped child who only walks with assistance she weighs 106 LOL) I have six grandchildren the two little ones are three and a half and 18 months I just make sure I always pick them up and carry them on my left side not my right. It's a balancing act you'll figure it out there's lots of support here. I'll see if I can bump the threads I follow too active. I wished I had found them earlier cuz they have been a huge help! As far as rapping I've never been rap so I'm no help there. I can tell you other little things I do just to prevent an injury to my hand I always wear gloves when working in the yard fit gloves at that! In the kitchen I always use the Disposable gloves like the cafeteria workers use at school LOL. Especially when handling meat, I learned that one a little too late and had small cut in my finger and I'm convinced that's where my first round of cellulitis came from, handling raw meat without a glove. I also wear a glove when pumping gas you never know what's on the gas pump handle! I'm extra careful with knives and about a slicing machine so I don't have to use my grster anymore!

Shelia - I am a do it my own damn self girl! The meat has bacteria so if you have an open wound or even just a torn cuticle the bacteria can sneak in there. Sometimes I even wear the gloves handling vegetables. And yes 110% of the time I am aware of my lymphedema! It took me getting stung twice in the swimming pool reaching for a float with my right hand that changed my way of thinking! That's why I reach for everything with my left hand now. I have been on antibiotics more times this past year than I have in my entire 53 years of life! If I stay on top of the LE and use caution I can try to avoid cellulitis or a bacterial infection. The part I hate most is not being able to lfit heavy things. I'm really strong and hate having limits. I bumped a bunch of theads for you. Just look in the active topic section.

Thank you for sharing the link Minus Two! I forgot to mention it! That's the first place to look!

Thank you my friends...I will check everything after grandchildren go home.

Big Hugs I really appreciated it.

Sheila 💛

Joanne that looks easy wrapping will be little difficult .

Tuesday I see LE Therapist

Monday I see the hand surgeon

What a coincidence 2 different things going on in the same arm.

I checked the link quickly it seems is very easy to follow especially with my questions.

I update you Tuesday evening.

Thank you again my BCO Sisters for being there for me.

Sheila 💛

cubital tunnel syndrome ulnar nerve is what I have.

And I had a EMG for it

Thanks Varga I'm trying to read most LE threads. I just saw you bumped it for me.😄

Sheila

The circaid is adjustable to your comfort / need. The main thing to remember is to keep the wrist the tightest, next strap up a bit looser, next one a bit looser (never really loose though). This keeps the fluid pushed in the correct direction. Hope that makes sense.

Hi everybody. My arm needs to be wrapped but I wasn't aware of that I had to get my own supplies.

Last she massaged it and it's Stage 1 lymphedema. Thank god I don't have to do any wrappings.

I'm gonna have PT twice a week and she's gonna unwrap and wrap again with the clean ones. That's why everything has to be purchased in 2s...

Jo if you don't need a referral go see your own dermatologist. Nobody will know. Why they make everything complicated.

Sheila

Jo - I see my derm doc every 6 months for a full body exam and she is very hesitant to biopsy anything. And that's when she has known me through 6 basal cell cancers & sent me to the MOHS surgeon for each. She does seem to do a good job of monitoring what could be a problem & what not to worry about, but she's not big on cutting right away. That said, I do know all docs all different

Meant to add, my son is on an HMO plan that recently cut derm benefits. They want the PCP to make the call. That doesn't cut it for families that have had several skin cancers. Thank heavens he is smart enough to pay out of pocket to go to someone out of network once a year, and then has to force his PCP to send him to a derm doc in network for treatment based on those reports.

I get so annoyed that you are not allowed to donate things paid for by Medicaid or Medicare! My parents live next to a nursing home and you should see the things they put in the dumpster! Wheelchairs, walkers, bath chairs and so much more! I am surprised that the Goodwill, Salvation Army and thrift stores will still take medical equipment like that if it's donated. You would think that durable medical equipment that Medicaid/ Medicare has paid for could go to a special donation closet and they would pull from that instead of just being wasteful!

Joanne and Sheila hope you both are doing well! I see my PT on Saturday

exactly Shelia!

I am just here to complain today! Saw my amazing PT this morning. I asked her what grade by LE was because I have never been told. This PT was 5th one so she came in late in the game. She's always so surprised at what was left out of my care right out of the gate. So I found out today I'm stage 2! And here I thought I barely had lymphedema! My trunk is the worst and has been the entire time. It was just another eye-opening day in the BC Journey

I guess in was in a bit of denial. The BC was nothing compared to a life time of LE

Joanne, what a relief it is to know you are finally in good hands, and especially that she's a real teacher, giving you the "tools" you need to keep everything in control (or to get it back in control when there's a problem). Finding her is definitely the silver lining to this whole ordeal.

Brava!
Binney