[Becky]

Happy New Year Kim

There are special lymphedema specialists at hospitals (even my community hospital has one so it doesn't have to be a major teaching hospital). They are part of the physical therapy department. There are also ones that are "on their own" but I wouldn't generally recommend them unless they are recommended by the Lymphedema Network. The Lymphedema Network is online (Google it as I am not sure of their exact address). I met the woman who has dedicated her life to this at ASCO 2006 when I attended with the group (Her2 Group) when we had a booth there. I met her in the Patient Advocate lounge and had a long conversation with her. She noticed that I had a lymphedema alert bracelet on that I bought from her site (I don't have lymphedema but the bracelet says "No blood pressure or needles in this arm - just in case I am in an accident so that no mistakes are made).

The site has bonefide lymhedema specialists listed there by state or you can email them and they will let you know more if the site is not 100% up to date.

Keep your arm elevated (lay on the couch facing the way where you can lay your arm up top the couch). As you do this, squeeze your hand 10 times every so often to pump the fluid down (not too much 10X maybe every 5-10 minutes). When you go to sleep, prop it up with pillows so the fluid can flow out. Baby that arm for alittle while. I had several swollen fingers on my affected side when I moved about 2 yrs ago. The repetitive motion of wrapping and unwrapping dishes, glasses etc (and putting them away caused it as packing and unpacking is done is such a short timeframe - too much all at once). It went away and I never had a problem again. I hope this helps.