Guest guest Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 Hello all - I am 3-weeks out, post-radiation. Near the end of radiation, my lower left arm muscle and the muscle in the top of my hand felt tight and a little sore. Well, I woke up this morning to find my left hand puffy and swollen! Very ugly! I don't have any cuts but wonder if I overused my left arm walking our new dog, housecleaning, etc. I am looking for resources on the exercises and massage to do to lessen the swelling. Any other advice? Do I need to tell my oncologist right away as well, or do I just work at minimizing the swelling on my own? Thanks so much, Janet B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 Janet, Call you oncologist first thing in the morning. It sounds like you definitely over did. I will keep you in my prayers. Hugs nne Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html BreastCancerStories.com http://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161/ Angel Feather Loomer www.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.com Check out my other ornaments at www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html Lots of info and gifts at: www.cancerclub.com Lymphedema Exercises? Hello all - I am 3-weeks out, post-radiation. Near the end of radiation, my lower left arm muscle and the muscle in the top of my hand felt tight and a little sore. Well, I woke up this morning to find my left hand puffy and swollen! Very ugly! I don't have any cuts but wonder if I overused my left arm walking our new dog, housecleaning, etc. I am looking for resources on the exercises and massage to do to lessen the swelling. Any other advice? Do I need to tell my oncologist right away as well, or do I just work at minimizing the swelling on my own? Thanks so much, Janet B. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.412 / Virus Database: 268.18.3/700 - Release Date: 2/24/2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 Janet here's a website address that should help you; i just happened to find it when I Googled lemphedema. I hope this gives some useful information; it did for me. Ellen in California http://www.breastcancer.org/lymphedema_happens.html -------------- Original message -------------- Hello all - I am 3-weeks out, post-radiation. Near the end of radiation, my lower left arm muscle and the muscle in the top of my hand felt tight and a little sore. Well, I woke up this morning to find my left hand puffy and swollen! Very ugly! I don't have any cuts but wonder if I overused my left arm walking our new dog, housecleaning, etc. I am looking for resources on the exercises and massage to do to lessen the swelling. Any other advice? Do I need to tell my oncologist right away as well, or do I just work at minimizing the swelling on my own? Thanks so much, Janet B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 >Hi Janet: I have personal experience with this!!! For now (until you can get to start physical therapy) elevate your left arm and hand above your shoulder height. If you are sitting you can use pillows. Avoid any physical activity that encourages fluid to accumulate into the hand (don't stand and do dishes with warm water!!); don't go for long walks with your arms swinging by your side. The lymphedema that you are experiencing at this stage should be reversible if you are very aggressive with obtaining intervention with physical therapy and the special elastic gloves and sleeves that the physical therapy people will get fitted for you. If you are diligent with the appropriate exercises and self-massage techniques that you will be taught, at this stage you can reverse the lymphedema in your hand and prevent further edema from occurring up your arm, all the way toward your shoulder. When I was first confronted with this I was totally undone!! I thought this was the very worst aspect of BC; essentially losing the use of my left arm and hand (I was a Gyn surgeon!) and the cosmetic aspects of having to wear a sleeve and glove all the time!! But I was diligent with the physical therapy twice a week, wearing the sleeve and glove at all times (even in bed to sleep!), and doing the exercises and massages. After about 6 months I began gradually reducing the frequency of exercises and massages and wearing the sleeves and gloves only at night. Eventually I was able to resume most of my normal activities and no longer utilize the sleeve and glove at all, except if I travel by plane or am involved in some sort of vigorous physical activity and begin to have edema in my hand. The important thing is to jump on this right away, and do not delay a vigorous response to the lymphedema at this early stage!! By getting aggressive with it now you can avoid progression and even reverse what has occurred so far!! Best of luck to you, and keep us informed about your progress!! Anne V. > Hello all - > > I am 3-weeks out, post-radiation. Near the end of radiation, my lower > left arm muscle and the muscle in the top of my hand felt tight and a > little sore. > > Well, I woke up this morning to find my left hand puffy and swollen! > Very ugly! I don't have any cuts but wonder if I overused my left arm > walking our new dog, housecleaning, etc. > > I am looking for resources on the exercises and massage to do to lessen > the swelling. Any other advice? Do I need to tell my oncologist right > away as well, or do I just work at minimizing the swelling on my own? > > Thanks so much, > Janet B. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 There's no physical reason other than getting hurt for swelling. So it has to do with the radiation and I'd call your oncologist asap. Pat Lymphedema Exercises? Hello all - I am 3-weeks out, post-radiation. Near the end of radiation, my lower left arm muscle and the muscle in the top of my hand felt tight and a little sore. Well, I woke up this morning to find my left hand puffy and swollen! Very ugly! I don't have any cuts but wonder if I overused my left arm walking our new dog, housecleaning, etc. I am looking for resources on the exercises and massage to do to lessen the swelling. Any other advice? Do I need to tell my oncologist right away as well, or do I just work at minimizing the swelling on my own? Thanks so much, Janet B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.