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caya · 12-29-2010, 08:31 AM

Peg I developed mild lymphedema 2 years after my MRM surgery - I had 16 nodes removed (all negative).

I remember exactly what happened - I was chopping veggies on a Friday afternoon and cut one of my right hand fingers. I immediately cleaned it,put on polysporin and bandaged it. When I woke up the next morning my right hand was slightly swollen, I knew immediately it was lymphedema.

On Monday morning I called my breast surgeon's office and the secretary said it would be unlikely it was lymphedema after 2 years, but I insisted so she booked me for the next day. My BS confirmed it, thought it was very mild and could be reversible if I was careful and did the exercises he recommended to me before I could get into the lymphedema clinic at the Princess Margaret Hospital. I am lucky that I live in a big city (Toronto, Canada) and have access to a wonderful team of lymphedema specialists who taught me exercises to do, do drainage massages etc. They sent me to a special fitter who measured me for a sleeve and gauntlet, I only need to wear these on flights. I go for a yearly assessment and massage, I could go more often if I wanted to, but I am fine and prefer to give my spot to women who need it more than I do.

I have to say I was ruthless doing the special exercises for 2-3 months after my diagnosis, and basically my lymphedema has been reversed, but I continue to be careful.

Good luck.

all the best
caya

12-29-2010, 08:31 AM	#4
caya Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Thornhill, Ontario Canada Posts: 2,320	Re: Lymphodema Peg I developed mild lymphedema 2 years after my MRM surgery - I had 16 nodes removed (all negative). I remember exactly what happened - I was chopping veggies on a Friday afternoon and cut one of my right hand fingers. I immediately cleaned it,put on polysporin and bandaged it. When I woke up the next morning my right hand was slightly swollen, I knew immediately it was lymphedema. On Monday morning I called my breast surgeon's office and the secretary said it would be unlikely it was lymphedema after 2 years, but I insisted so she booked me for the next day. My BS confirmed it, thought it was very mild and could be reversible if I was careful and did the exercises he recommended to me before I could get into the lymphedema clinic at the Princess Margaret Hospital. I am lucky that I live in a big city (Toronto, Canada) and have access to a wonderful team of lymphedema specialists who taught me exercises to do, do drainage massages etc. They sent me to a special fitter who measured me for a sleeve and gauntlet, I only need to wear these on flights. I go for a yearly assessment and massage, I could go more often if I wanted to, but I am fine and prefer to give my spot to women who need it more than I do. I have to say I was ruthless doing the special exercises for 2-3 months after my diagnosis, and basically my lymphedema has been reversed, but I continue to be careful. Good luck. all the best caya __________________ ER90%+/PR 50%+/HER 2+ 1.7 cm and 1.0 cm. Stage 1, grade 2, Node Negative (16 nodes tested) MRM Dec.18/06 3 x FEC, 3 x Taxotere Herceptin - every 3 weeks for a year, finished May 8/08 Tamoxifen - 2 1/2 years Femara - Jan. 1, 2010 - July 18, 2012 BRCA1/BRCA2 Negative Dignosed 10/16/06, age 48 , premenopausal Mild lymphedema diagnosed June 2009 - breast surgeon and lymph. therapist think it's completely reversible - hope so. Reclast infusion January 2012 Oopherectomy October 2013 15 Years NED!!