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Lori R · 03-07-2010, 09:15 AM

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!!!

03-07-2010, 09:15 AM	#8
Lori R Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Evergreen, Colorado Posts: 454	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!!! __________________ 2007 Oct - Diagnosed - Stage IV 5 c.m. IDC - Left Side er/pr- Her2+++ Node + 2/14 - Single Liver Met Double Mastectomy Nov - Begin T+H 2008 Feb-Complete 6 cycles- T&H- NED March - Continue - Herceptin Only April - Rads for 6 weeks 2009 Continue Herceptin - Continue NED April - Recurrance- 3 cm. Liver Met May - Cryosurgery June - November - Abraxane + Herceptin Aug - PET/CT - CTC = 0 Back to NED 2010 January - Continue NED July - Recurrance - 3 cm Liver Met CTC=1 August - Cryosurgery #2 August - November Navelbine November - Back to NED - End Navelbine 2011 Feb - Recur - 4 cm Liver Met - Same Left Lobe March Surgery it is -Couldn't get a clean margin July - Confirmed continued liver involvement August - Begin Herceptin + Tykerb October - Mixed results from H+T Add Abraxane + H + T - Nov - April 2012 January PET Scan - It's working!! April - Back to NED July - Recurrance August - Begin TDM-1 Trial (Taxol + TDM-1)