Lyphedema

For those of you who don't know I suffer from a condition known as lymph edema.  It's because of the cancer surgeries.  When I had cancer the second time the final tumor was removed by using a procedure known as lymph node dissection.  They removed all the lymph nodes that they possibly could from my left under arm.  I have a arm hole not an arm pit.  Anyway then after that they did radiation therapy.  6 weeks of being zapped.  My surgeon told me when I was having the surgery that I would likely develop this condition.  Well it took 3 1/5 years after surgery but I finally did it.  Wooohoo for me :(  Not exactly a goal I'm proud of.

What happens is my arm does not drain properly because of the destruction from the surgery and radiation so that finally whatever route the fluids were taking to get out of my arm blocked up.  Hence the fat arm.

See how much bigger my left arm is than my right.  This is what it looks like.  This is actually the first night I discovered it.  So I sent an email to my Doctor and she sent me to a physical therapist.  You might ask why she did not see me.  Well it's because this condition is permanent.  No drug or surgery will correct it.  The only thing that will keep it under control is exercise/massage, a lovely compression sleeve and glove and care.  Did I mention that this condition in permanent?  Joy :(  Fortunately this condition has relatively little pain associated with it (At least my lymph edema has none - can't speak for all).  And I still have my arm (you have to look for the blessings).

I have specific limitations too.  I'm not supposed to fly in a plane, go up into high altitudes, take a dip in a hot tub or do any heavy lifting.  Some of these I can do but only my sleeve and glove in place - which takes the fun out of a lot of things.

So now I wear my fashion accessory daily, do my massage in the AM and do my exercises 2x a day.  That's it :) Everyday for the rest of my life :) Simple :) but a pain :(

So you might wonder why I am sharing this today.  Because yesterday I had my first appointment with the physical therapist in a long time and what do you know - my arm is actually shrinking - not back to normal but several sizes smaller.  Wooohooo for me :)  And I actually have permission to remove my glove and watch my hand to see if there is any swelling.  If so then the gloves go back on.  If not then I get to have my hand FREE.  Love it!

Enjoy!  Enjoy Life!