arm and hand lymphededema

[jinky]

HI,
I had breast cancer in 2002 and developed lymphededema in 2004 in my arm.
I didn't know anything about lymphededema at the time. In 2005 i developed it in my hand.
For anyone out there who gets it in their arm they should wear a glove also.
I didn't know this and i have a hard time with my hand but with padding in my glove and wrapping at night it is under control.
lymphededema has changed my life and i find it very hard. Going through breast cancer and chemo was nothing compaired to this.
I am trying to be positive and to keep it under control.
Thanks for listening. jinky

[Joplin66]

Hello again,
I also have lymphededema in my Left arm and hand as well. It happened soon after my Breast Cancer surgery, which I had to do twice. Chemo infected the surgery sites, so they had to be opened up again and heal from inside out.
But, I agree that dealing with the dreaded "L" is awful. When I wear my sleeve and glove, people stare and look at me. I still have to wear a hat and of course I lost my left breast to the cancer. So, I feel pretty unfeminine about myself. My sister does everything to keep me upbeat and positive, but sometimes nothing works.
I would like to email someone who has been through this and knows how I feel. I hope that someone will email with some ideas or just moral support. I know of no one to talk to about it. It makes me feel so unattractive.
Thank goodness I got me a new D-O-G just before I came back to work. I was off for 6 months. The wounds were the worse to heal and are still very sore. I hope to hear from someone soon.......thanks

[aries6]

Hello again,
I also have lymphededema in my Left arm and hand as well. It happened soon after my Breast Cancer surgery, which I had to do twice. Chemo infected the surgery sites, so they had to be opened up again and heal from inside out.
But, I agree that dealing with the dreaded "L" is awful. When I wear my sleeve and glove, people stare and look at me. I still have to wear a hat and of course I lost my left breast to the cancer. So, I feel pretty unfeminine about myself. My sister does everything to keep me upbeat and positive, but sometimes nothing works.
I would like to email someone who has been through this and knows how I feel. I hope that someone will email with some ideas or just moral support. I know of no one to talk to about it. It makes me feel so unattractive.
Thank goodness I got me a new D-O-G just before I came back to work. I was off for 6 months. The wounds were the worse to heal and are still very sore. I hope to hear from someone soon.......thanks

Hi Joplin66;
I feel your pain and unattractiveness. All I can say is that in time, you learn to deal with it. I am 10 years out, and went thru most of what you had. Additionally, I had the Tram Flap Reconstruction to the breast, but it is about half the size of the other one, so I still look deformed when undressed, and must wear a prothesis in all my bras. I try to shield this from my husband, but it's difficult sometimes. Now I'm dealing with the big L, and trying ti get my insurance company to let me go to someone that offers the Kenesio Taping. I've heard that this works better than the bandages.

Know that GOD (or whomever you believe in) can heal all pain and left you here for a purpose and reason. Lift your head and remember the alternative.
Aries

[Joplin66]

Hi Jinky,
I too underwent Breast Cancer Surgery (twice) and I also developed lymphededema, but within a couple months! My doctor said it could come immediately or years later. But, for me it was fast. I had to do therapy three days a week. But, I had to do wound therapy three days a week as well. The Chemo infected my Mastectomy and had to be cut open again to get out the infection. Of cource, then it had to be left open to heal. This was so painful to have cleaned out and packed three times a week. But, little did I know the lymphededema would be such a pain as well. I have to wear the Compression sleeve and the glove. Because my hand swells too. Now, my other arm stays swollen as well. My doctors have said that it doesn't travel from my arm to the other. I can't figure out why it's swelling like the other!! I gained some weight from the Chemo, but I can't believe that makes my arm bigger. I wish that someone with lymphededema information would let me know if they have heard of this. I hate having to wear the sleeve and glove, but I know that I need to. My dexterity has went to zero almost in my hand. People stare at you like you much have some sort of disease or something. I get tired of the stares. I just would like someone to talk to that deals with this situation every day. Looking forward to hearing from someone soon.