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Calling all breast cancer survivors * lymphedema prevention
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I've completed surgery, started radiation therapy, and was outfitted for my compression sleeve today. Are there survivors out there who can share their wisdom?
According to the lymphedema specialist, prevention is much less bothersome than managing the chronic condition. This means wearing the sleeve during all exercise where there's repetitive arm motion.
  • So what's been your experience?
  • Any sleeve brands better than others for sports?
  • Any of you swim with the sleeve? I was swimming around 2,000 yards.

All advice welcomed. Just not getting the vibe from my assorted health provider team that they know what to do with someone who loves to be active. Then again, I may be in denial and once I get 2-3 weeks into radiation therapy, I'll be happy to crawl to the end of each day :)
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Re: Calling all breast cancer survivors * lymphedema prevention [kofian] [ In reply to ]
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No advice at all, but huge props to you for staying active and staying strong. Best wishes!




"A merry heart doeth good like medicine." (Proverbs 17:22)
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Re: Calling all breast cancer survivors * lymphedema prevention [miTmite] [ In reply to ]
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Quote:
No advice at all, but huge props to you for staying active and staying strong. Best wishes!

x2 on the no advice, but many, many good wishes.

maybe she's born with it, maybe it's chlorine
If you're injured and need some sympathy, PM me and I'm very happy to write back.
disclaimer: PhD not MD
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Re: Calling all breast cancer survivors * lymphedema prevention [kofian] [ In reply to ]
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Hi Kofian,

I went through lumpectomy followed by sentinel node biopsy and then a month of "Canadian" (higher intensity/less time) radiation therapy in 2013. Yes, the doctors LOVED working with someone who is athletic and I made sure to impress upon all of them that I was an athlete. I did not wear a sleeve but I did worry about lymphedema (it sounds horrific!) I never really stopped working out though some days it was just a sorry jog or bike ride. Obviously I stayed out of the pool until my incisions were healed but I did not get bad radiation burning (just a patchwork tan!) so I believe I was back in the pool during radiation therapy.

I'm not sure if I helped at all but I do think that staying active and remembering you are an athlete even on days when you don't feel like one is key. This is just another training day! All the best to you and if I can lend you any information or advice please email me at pattitris2012@gmail.com

All the very best to you!

patti

Patti in NJ
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Re: Calling all breast cancer survivors * lymphedema prevention [PattiTris] [ In reply to ]
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Thank you Patti I'm finding that my body will educate my mind about my limits as I progress in radiation therapy. Since there's very limited clinical data, it's helpful to hear from folks as yourself. And you know us compulsive triathlete planners don't like ambiguity. Breastcancer.org gave me some good perspective as well. Hope you have a great winter.
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Re: Calling all breast cancer survivors * lymphedema prevention [kofian] [ In reply to ]
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x3 on the best wishes!

My aunt had her surgery a year ago, and has undergone radiation therapy. She's not an athlete but super-active (running, moderate weight lifting). I went with her to the PT for the lymphedema talk/sleeve fitting, and the take-home for her was to do the massage protocol religiously. She did, and had no problems. I know she had a hard time finding sleeves that (1) fit and (2) looked like something she'd want to wear. She ended up getting a sleeve and (I think) a fingerless glove.

Hope this helps a little.
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Re: Calling all breast cancer survivors * lymphedema prevention [kofian] [ In reply to ]
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I treat breast cancer patients for physical therapy and I work closely with a lymphedema therapist. The main thing to remember is to keep using your arm as normally as possible but if it starts to hurt, feel tight or achy then slow down. Most people that I see with lymphedema start out afraid to use their arm. They then get lymphedema because they aren't moving the arm and the fluid builds up. Your lymph system has a lower capacity than before your surgery (think of a 4 lane highway reduced to 3 lanes) but it will still work just fine as long as you don't over-load or under-load it. Being an athlete, you are used to pushing yourself. Be honest about any weird sensations in your arm and take it easy if you need to. You will most likely do very well. Best of luck to you!
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