HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - ASCO Breast--lymphedema news--not so good

chicagoetc · 10-12-2010, 06:12 PM

VLCarr,

Sounds about right. The Under Armour sleeveless tee shirt (mine is sleeveless with 18% elastic or something) works well for me at night (though it doesn't resolve everything). It helps a lot to have someone working with you (a rehab person) who knows what they are doing. This is FAR better than the alternative (that it would get worse and worse). It took me a while but I understand now how serious it could potentially get. So if something shows, that's how it goes. I learned today that the effect is not just at the place where there is swelling, but over the entire quadrant of the body that is affected...apparently the lymph system is divided this way. Not only is the arm affected but also the chest and back that are on the same side.

Be well,
Melanie

10-12-2010, 06:12 PM	#11
chicagoetc Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Chicago Posts: 196	Re: ASCO Breast--lymphedema news--not so good VLCarr, Sounds about right. The Under Armour sleeveless tee shirt (mine is sleeveless with 18% elastic or something) works well for me at night (though it doesn't resolve everything). It helps a lot to have someone working with you (a rehab person) who knows what they are doing. This is FAR better than the alternative (that it would get worse and worse). It took me a while but I understand now how serious it could potentially get. So if something shows, that's how it goes. I learned today that the effect is not just at the place where there is swelling, but over the entire quadrant of the body that is affected...apparently the lymph system is divided this way. Not only is the arm affected but also the chest and back that are on the same side. Be well, Melanie __________________ Diagnosed: 7/13/07 (or 7/7/07) Surgery: 8/15/07 Modified Radical One Side with Lymph Node Dissection Pathology Report: ER/PR-, HER2+ with FISH at 8.4 copies, Grade 3, Stage IIIa, 3.2 cm tumor plus 4/19 positive lymph nodes Portacath: 9/7/07 Chemo: 9/14/07 with AC (every three weeks) for four rounds Physical Therapy for ROM Loss / "Cording" (but not Lymphodema) Taxol + Herceptin weekly (started 12/2007 with 8 of 12 Taxol) Radiation: (28 rads from 3/07 to 4/07) Reconstruction (silicone implant) Herceptin done (10/08) Cognitive Remediation (11/08 - 12/08) Lymphedema Diagnosed 5/10/10 (almost 3 years post cancer diagnosis) Lymphedema Rehab 9/10/10 - 11/10/10 Six years NED...7/7/2013!