Lymphedema, and hot flashes ... and bears, OH MY!!

[jdenomme]

I have been going through the house, trying to think like a toddler, and determine what needs to be done to "baby proof" the house. So I rearranged cupboards, put locks on drawers, and then, decided to move some furniture... possibly not the best idea. In the fall I had a bit of swelling in my arm after a day of gardening, and then in Nov. again after I refinished a shelf for DD's bedroom. This past episode has gone on for a bout a week now, and although I dont think its serious, its irritating all the same. Plus lugging my little one around the house doesn't seem to do too much for it. I've got an appointment with a physiotherapist on next wed. Hopefully that will help. Also, the past few nights I've been waking up 3-4 times a night with hot flashes. I guess menopause has begun. Oh what fun.Grrrrrrrrr

[Brnadebt]

Chantry

Sorry about the lymphodema in your arm, Im hoping I wont have that problem since they too aonly 7 samples, so far so good. My Dr has been asking me each week about hot flashes and nothing until the last week and 1/2. I have been having them at least 2 and hour some pretty severe. My Dr thought it would hit sooner in the chemo regemine. I still need to ask her about my overies because they have not given me anything to stop the estrogen production and I am ER PR positive.

How is your hair coming along? Mine is probably 1/2 inch and very full, but alot of grey.

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Hugs:)

[gma]

I loved your title!!!! Sorry about the lymphedema. You need to be really careful and keep it from getting awful bad. I have been so lucky that I have not had any problems, so many of the girls here do. Jo-Ann's arm is the one I am most familiar with because I see her more often and it can really get nasty. She gardens and moves furniture, too, as well as sews a lot. Take care of yourself and don't over do it, please. Hugs MK

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[jdenomme]

Hi Bernadette - my hair is "stuck" at about 1/4 inch. Every time I get another taxol some of it falls out. So it's very sparse. I'm glad that yours is coming in! You are going to be starting rads next week? Good lcuk with it!!

MK - I've been trying to go easy on it, but I never seem to do anything halfway. I hate that it will be a continual restriction, and a constant reminder of what I have been through. I guess this means I'm not going to be doing alot of waterskiiing from now on...

Thanks for your concerns.

Chantry

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There are no wrong turnings, only paths we did not know we were meant to take - Guy Gavriel Kay

[Luci]

Lymphedema is the biggest pain in the neck. I've had to have therapy 2x's since DX. I know you have a little one, but try hard to favor that arm. Repetitive action can aggravate it as well.

Be sure your physical therapist is trained in lymphedema massage. She/he will able to teach you to wrap that arm and will also massage it properly.

There are also some good sites on lymphedema on the web, so maybe you can check those as well. With this disease knowledge is power, so the more you know....

Hope this helps, Luci

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In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me lay an invincible summer.  Albert Camus

[coopfesta]

Taking an extra 400mg of vitamin E helps the flashes for me.  Doesn't get rid of them, but the decrease at night is noticeable.