| If only I had been warned! If only, if only. | | | | and self-massage in the evening, plus wearing the |
| In 1996 when I had an operation to remove a | | | | bulky bandage every night. After six months I |
| cancerous lump from my breast, most doctors did not | | | | discovered the Reid sleeve as a substitute for the |
| warn their patients of lymphedema. In the context of | | | | bandages. This sleeve and others like it maintain |
| cancer this condition is a swelling caused by removing | | | | compression by means of Velcro straps or special |
| lymph nodes to stage the cancer, that is, to determine | | | | foam contours. And they avoid the constant wrapping, |
| if it has spread beyond the area surrounding the tumor. | | | | unwrapping, washing, and rolling steps that bandaging |
| For breast cancer patients, lymph nodes are removed | | | | entails. A true godsend. |
| from the armpit (a process called axial dissection). | | | | After a year of strict compliance with |
| While a less invasive procedure called sentinel node | | | | self-maintenance procedures, I decided just to wear |
| biopsy, developed since I was treated, has reduced | | | | the compression sleeve on my arm daily. I ditched the |
| the incidence of lymphedema, it does not eliminate the | | | | night-time routine entirely. On a lengthy plane ride or |
| risk. Later radiation under the arm can damage the | | | | climbing a mountain, I wear an old compression sleeve |
| remaining lymph nodes, increasing the potential of | | | | over my current one, for extra protection against |
| developing lymphedema. | | | | swelling. Also I wear a hand glove if I experience |
| My surgeon gave me little information about this | | | | swelling below the wrist. |
| condition. Importantly, I was unaware of the risk | | | | It's ideal to buy two compression sleeves once a year |
| reduction practices recommended by the National | | | | so that they can be worn on alternate days. Every |
| Lymphedema Network (NLN) ( Being a compliant | | | | night I wash my garment with dishwashing detergent, |
| person, I would have followed these guidelines had I | | | | fold it to squeeze out the water, and let it air dry. This |
| known of them. | | | | procedure increases its lifetime. Medicare does not |
| Having had 14 lymph nodes removed from my left | | | | cover the cost of such garments at this time, but |
| arm and subsequent radiation, I was a possible | | | | some private insurers do. Before ordering the sleeves, |
| candidate for lymphedema. About a year after | | | | the vendor should measure the patient's arm properly |
| surgery, after being poked by a thorn, I developed | | | | to ensure a good fit. Last year's size and compression |
| swelling in my left arm. It was not painful, but did not | | | | level may no longer be appropriate for the current |
| subside with elevation. | | | | year. |
| After consulting my support group I set up an | | | | Air travelers with lymphedema, beware! From my own |
| appointment with a breast surgeon, who took my | | | | experience I offer the following advice in advance of |
| concerns seriously. She wrote a prescription for me to | | | | any such trip: bring a prescription slip describing any |
| see a certified lymphedema therapist. The NLN | | | | special arm garments or pumps being brought aboard |
| provides information about the standards necessary | | | | the plane, check as baggage all non-fragile |
| for certification. | | | | lymphedema paraphernalia, and hide lymphedema |
| The best treatment for lymphedema is complete | | | | devices in suitcases at hotels. If seeking |
| decongestive therapy (CDT). The initial phase involves | | | | reimbursement from Homeland Security for a ruined |
| manual lymph drainage (MLD), which redirects the fluid | | | | lymphedema device, see if the Americans with |
| into newly re-formed fluid pathways, and 24-hour | | | | Disabilities Act applies. |
| bandaging. I went to the hospital daily for six weeks to | | | | Benzopyrenes (such as coumarin and flavinoids) and |
| have the bandages removed for massage and | | | | horse-chestnut extract are among some herbs touted |
| reapplied. | | | | to control lymphedema. Herbal supplements are not |
| After the clinical treatment, the patient transitions to the | | | | under FDA oversight. I would never consider ingesting |
| self-maintenance phase, in which the patient or primary | | | | them unless I first got approval from my medical |
| caregiver is totally responsible for care of the limb. As | | | | oncologist. I always ensure that none would counteract |
| part of this phase I wore a compression garment on | | | | legitimate prescription drugs I am taking. With his |
| my arm to control swelling during the day and then | | | | blessing I am taking Butcher's Broom, which I find |
| applied bandages at night. | | | | effective in controlling hand swelling. |
| The self-therapy phase of lymphedema is | | | | Forewarned is forearmed. I pray you can use some of |
| time-consuming and exhausting. The sheer volume just | | | | these nuggets from my experience on the road to |
| of hand washing sweaty bandages is mind-boggling. | | | | living with lymphedema. |
| Not to mention the prescribed exercises in the morning | | | | |