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Old 03-10-2012, 11:38 AM   #1
Westcoastgirl
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Canada
Posts: 128
Question re Lymphedema??

Hello ladies, I am over three years out from diagnoses and received a lot of help here and from a Canadian Cancer Agency volunteer that called me throughout my treatment. I was so impressed with this program, Cancer Connection, I volunteered to help other women with a similar Breast Cancer to myself as they go through treatment. I had 8 lymph nodes removed and therefore have always been very, very careful; careful of cuts, sunburns, bites, wear a compression sleeve to wt train, fly, to do repetitive work, and no blood taken, blood pressure, iv etc in that arm. Most of the women I talk to have had only the one Sentinel node removed and my question to you is: Should I give them the same advise I got re lymphedema or are they at a very small risk and I should not scare them with extra information? They all seem to think they can get on with their lives with no changes/precautions in a lymphedema respect and maybe they are right?? Your input would be most welcome in my quest to help these women. Thank you, Carolyn
__________________
12/17/08 biopsy after two 6 mos mammo recalls
12/30/08 diagnosed high grade IDC & DCIS
ER/PR +, Her2 (+++) post menopausal/age 57
1/15/09 double mastectomy/skin sparing; no evidence of vascular/lymphatic invasion, 8neg/8 nodes (tumor 8.0mm)
2/16/09 given portacath/removed 4/30/10
2/18/09 "surprise" 2.0mm tumor/positive borders~
completed 28 rads 10/09.
2/23/09 until 4/19/10~treatments every 3wks (4 Cytoxan + Adriamycin, 4 Taxol + Herceptin, 13 Herceptin alone)
8/09 osteoporosis diagnosis/Zometa 3 yrs of 1x/6 months
Chemo side effects; Deafness, kidney function loss
11/09 began Aromatase Inhibitor (Femara)/Feb2014, stopped Femara early/after 3 mos began Tamoxifen for 8 mos to complete 5 years
11/10 Reconstruction, directly to silicone implants
12/11 nipples by skin graft/Right breast size reduced

I have heard th
ere are troubles of more than one kind

Some come from ahead and some come from behind.
But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see.
Now my troubles are going to have trouble with me!
Dr. Seuss
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