The good week
 

The first 10 day after chemo, not good for my wife :(
The last week to 10 days before the next chemo treatment are good:) Is this how it goes for most people?

My wife had 16 nodes removed from her right side arm pit area. She was told that in order to fly she would need a compression sleeve.They warned her about a condition called lymphoma or lymphodema? Swelling of her right arm, the nurse said "you don't want to get this". How common is this? Has anyone here dealt with this condition?If so what do you do to prevent this from happening?

Seems like there is something to learn about cancer everyday, it never ends.I want to thank everyone for their help. Its eased our minds some and made our day easier.
THANKS!

Re: The good week
 

Google it because there is new information just out that contradicts the past recommendations. ma

Re: The good week
 

About chemo:

I believe the 3 week cycle is designed in a way that the 3rd week allows us to recover - thus no side effect to most of us. Chemo drugs target 'fast-growing' (cancer) cells and that's why hairs and mucus linings (on tongues, digestive tracts...) are affected because they are reproduced every couple of days or weeks. And when chemo destroys those linings, we get the kind of side effects that you have described.

Her doctor/nurse should be able to monitor her condition and give her necessary 'supplement' such as shots to increase red blood cell or white blood cell counts. They should also have other medicine available for treating/easing skin problems and nausea problems (or any other problems)

About compression sleeve/glove

I have a total of 12 lymph nodes taken from the two breast cancer surgeries since 2003 (3 + 9) I started wearing compression sleeve/glove when I got cellulitis after having been bitten by some very tiny bugs in our back yard picking figs 2 1/2 years ago.

I wear them at least 8 hours a day. I can do just about anything with the glove and sleeve on. (Played ping-pong two years ago when I was teaching in a local high school.) But I try not to do anything strenuous for a prolonged period of time.

Re: The good week
 

Hi Skip

I'm glad your wife is doing better and that you know when the good periods will be (then you know when you will be able to do things and know she will be feeling okay).

Lymphedema is a difficult thing to figure out. Statistics say that about 25% of breast cancer women will get some form of this (from the removal of the lymph nodes). It is not associated with the amount of nodes removed so it does not matter if only one node was removed or 40, you are at risk.

Of course, that said, none of us know which of us might have a problem. The best thing to do is be cautious. Air flight could be a problem. Many on this board know that I am flying 6-8 flights per month for work so this was a huge concern for me. I did get a sleeve and a glove too. They need to be replaced yearly and I did get them replaced. Then oddly, I forgot to bring the sleeves to the airport a couple of times. Nothing happened so I started experimenting and now I don't wear the compression sleeve/glove. The longest I've gone (flight wise) is to California (live in NJ so about 5 1/2 hr flight). I do think if I ever have to go internationally (like Hong Kong or China) where I am in the air 15+ hours, I think I will wear them just to be save.

Other things to consider - repetitive movements, weight lifting etc - work up to weights slowly and take a break if vaccuming a large home (I am a right handed, right side gal). Log onto the lymphedema network site online.

Loads of information. Also, you wife should never get a needle in that arm or have blood pressure taken on that arm either.

Have a great weekend.

Re: The good week
 

Skip,
Jackie07 mentioned that frequent dividing cells can play a role in the chemo's performance.
An other consideration is the time drug remains active in the system after the infusion. If drug's half-life is about 10 days, then the final 11 days, time prior to the next treatment, a slowly decaying drug (smaller in quantity) will be easier to tolerate. By the time next injection is scheduled, system will pretty much have cleared residuals.
Surely there are more reasons to select a 3 weekly treatment cycle, like if there isn't a significant improvement in a weekly doding regimen, it's much easier on patient to make that doctor's visit once every three weeks.

Re: The good week
 

My 3-week Herceptin was changed to weekly when my MUGA dropped significantly. So I think the weekly infusion also takes into account of the potential less heart damage. Lighter dose = less damage. Though in my case, the MUGA score went further down anyway.

Re: The good week
 

What you describe is very common. I used to plan to be pretty low down for a few days after treatment, and scheduled the things I had to do for the week before treatment.
Lymphedema is a risk, but doesn't always happen to everyone. I had 17 nodes removed and just spent 24 hours flying home from Uruguay, and no swelling. She does need to be cautious of cuts and injuries to that arm though. That's when problems can start. Just keep some neosporin around to help treat scrapes and scratches and gardening gloves if she plans to be pulling any weeds!
Thanks for keeping in touch and being there for her so supportively. Treatment can work. Keep it up.
Celeste

Re: The good week
 

Skip,
On this one, my advice is to be an informed observer. I had 14 nodes removed and have not had to deal with Lymphodema. (YEA!!!! Hoping your wife does as well) I was cautious about what I lifted and also was faithful with the exercises to get flexibility and movement back in the area.

I recently enjoyed a couple of vacations requiring lengthy flights ( London and across U.S.) I did not require a compression sleeve and all was well. (OK...I had a panic attack mid-atlantic about not wearing a sleeve but it worked out)

I would recommend monitoring your wife's progress and at the first signs of any swelling, go to a lymphodema specialist. They offer such services as SPECIFIC massages, access to compression garmets etc.. DO NOT!!!!! use an untrained massage therapist.

Keep us posted!!!

Re: The good week
 

Thanks to all for your input, its greatly appreciated.
Lori R. I'll show Florence your signature, your Dx and begining treatment is similar to hers. How was the Taxotere for you? Her first dose was terrible.

Thanks everyone.

Re: The good week
 

Hey Skip,

Sorry to chime in late, but I haven't been on the board in a few days. First off, I'm sorry you have to be here, but you will find a wide band of support for both you and your wife. I love so many things about this site, but the support and inspiration you will find compares to nothing else.

I agree with Lori, that you have to be informed. My surgical oncologist actually sent me to a "lymphademia therapist" before my surgery to review what lymphademia is and what things can be done to prevent swelling. I only had four nodes taken out, but I wear my sleeve anytime I work out or fly, which I do regularly for work. It initially was a pain, but I've gotten used to it, and don't pay much attention to it at all anymore. Its just something that I have to do.

Please take care and keep us posted on how you and your wife are doing. You two will be in my thoughts and prayers, and I hope that your wife does ok on the chemo.

Re: The good week
 

Skip
There has been alot of controversy over "the sleeve and flying, and it is ever changing....I wear one, although I dont fly alot...just an extra caution....your wife is so lucky to have you as her support person!
Hoping things are getting easier each time for her

Re: The good week
 

Hey Skip,

I just wanted to agree with what Hayley said. I went for physical therapy after my mastectomy and received myofasial release therapy. This was wonderful. They do a special type of massage on your arm and on the actual scar. She also gave me exercises to do at home to help with healing and getting back range of motion. My surgeon recommended this for me at my 6 week check up. The therapist told me they are trying to work with women sooner versus waiting until problems develop and then trying to fix them. You can google it and read about the purpose but it was a huge help to me. The therapist needs to be trained in it.

After about 3 months of that therapy, I brought up lymphedema to my therapist, so she arranged for me to have 3 sessions with that therapist. She told me she was not a certified lymp therapist so she sent me to one at the same facility who was.

I've had 3 sessions with her which were wonderful. My husband went with me to one of them so she could show him how to do the massage on my arm. She actually had him do it on her arm so he could a feel for the amount of pressure to apply. She also gave me exercises to do and showed me how to do self massage. I know have a compression sleeve (a script from my surgeon) and a gauntlet.

All of this is being done for prevention as I don't have lymphedema. I'm just trying to be proactive and do what I can.

I have found all of this to be very beneficial and I feel much better educated. My insurance paid for all of the sessions.

You seem to be very involved with your wife's care, as my husband is, so I thought this might be something you would be interested in. When my husband could he went with me to all the sessions so he could watch and learn as well.

Best of luck. Your wife is lucky to have you!

Re: The good week
 

Hi Skip,
It sounds like things are going better for the both of you. You will soon be an old hand at it and then before you know it you are done. We look ahead at diagnosis and think we cannot handle it but then almost in the blink of the eye it is three weeks and then three weeks again and then you are done. The book, "Lymphedema; A Breast Cancer Patient's Guide to Prevention and Healing" by Jeannie Burt and Gwen White is excellent. It educates, helps put things in perspective and also helps you understand the seriousness of what might happen so you can take precautions where necessary. I wear my sleeve to work out with wts. I am careful when cleaning house not to be too repetitive with my arm and I am careful when carrying bags of groceries. I avoid bug bites and sunburn as well. The steroids during the first sessions of chemo can cause some water retention so I got in the habit of taking off my rings for the first week after treatment. It upset me at first as I thought it was lymphedema. In the book they give you instructions to do self or partner lymphatic massage. It helps. You can also go to a website found in the book (http://www.vodderschool.com/find_a_therapist) to find qualified Massage Therapists in your area that have been trained in lymphatic massage. Even if your wife does develop lymphedema there is much than can be done for her so look at prevention and hope for the best. Carolyn