last taxol, radiation next, lyphedema still there

[LAURIE]

I finished my last taxol yesterday and for the first time I had a bad reaction, it was very scary. I started to get the chills, like teeth chattering chills with only 1/4 the of the bag left to go. They started to run saline instead, I took an ativan and about 1/2 hour later I was okay enough to get my hereceptin. We never finsihed the taxol bag. So I definelty am celebrating chemo is over. I have an consultation with the Radiation Oncologist today. I just want to get this all over with. I am extremely worried about my lymphedema, after 4 weeks of physical therapy we have seen no change. My hand is still so swollen and I can just imagine what radiation is going to do to it. Has anyone had their lymphedema go away on it's own? I am hoping that no more chemo and steroids will help with the swelling.

[Mary Anne in TX]

Hi Laurie!

For me, I just massaged my arm, and all around the surgery area several times a day - not too hard but with a little pressure. As time went by, the area decreased in size and I have little trouble with it. I still have times that I have to work on it again, but not too often if I keep massaging daily. I don't lift too heavy of stuff, but I use it a lot and try to exercise it real often gently. Someone will have all the right answers for you. I've just taken a few tips from my surgeon and Radiation Oncologist and put them to work. I don't think my problem was really serious though. Best of luck. ma

[naturaleigh]

Hey Laurie,


I have the same problem with my hand swelling. Are you going to Lymphadema therapy? I was prescribed the arm and hand piece with fingers. My hand piece is very tight to help keep the fluids running. I too, wrap my hand and arm every night. Aftern wrapping and wearing the garments my hand was still getting bigger, so I was prescribed a custom hand piece which covers most of my fingers and goes further down my wrist. This still was not working, so my therapist got more aggressive with my wrapping. In the hand cloth she wrapped several styrophone pieces and told me to wrap my hand over these pieces. That has really brought my hand almost back to normal. This has only been a couple of weeks so if my hand in not back to normal in a few more weeks, she told me to come back because she had more "tricks of the trade" up her sleave. She told me my hand might be stubborn but she is 10 times more stubborn.

I was also told my my radiologist that swelling can occur for up to 6 months after radiation treatment. My six months are not over until May 2007.

Find a good therapist that is aggressive with the swelling and keep at it!!

[tousled1]

Laurie,

I'm sorry that you are dealing with lymphedema. As far as I know, it never goes away, it may be less aggravated at times but always there. I suffer from it in my right arm where 26 nodes were removed. My radiation oncologist did tellme at the start that the radiation could make it worse. The worst part of this is that I am extremely right handed! I try not to lift anything heavier that 5 pounds with my right arm. I tried going the physical therapy route (a registered lymphedema therapist) but didn't get much relief from it. I bought a dvd called "The Lebed Method - Focus on Healing." The dvd is specifically focused to get the lymphatic system working. You can check it out at www.lebedmethod.com (http://www.lebedmethod.com)
One thing that I do is to wear my sleeve and hand gauntlet whenever I'm flying. Also when flying I wear a sleeve on my good arm. Best of luck to you.