theres126-2006Apr11

Hi everyone-
I want to take every precaution against lymphedema, so I'm now thinking about luggage...... I'm taking a trip to the bahamas (whoo hoo!) :-) with my friends in a couple of months, and since my husband won't be there, I'll be carrying my own luggage.

Any suggestions??

Thanks!

Theresa

I'm thinking of buying a new suitcase (rolling) for the trip, that's lighter weight than those I have now. Any suggestions? I don't want a big one, but not too small either. Maybe 21" or so..... (needs to be big enough to fit my snorkle fins......)

Is it true that we should wear a sleeve on the side that didn't have lymph nodes removed, if we had a bilateral mastectomy? I hadn't heard that before, and then my pt mentioned getting a sleeve for the other arm..........

What is the chance of getting lymphedema in that arm? I don't have it (knock on wood) on either side now, but I am flying in a few weeks.....

Thanks-
Theresa

Yikes -

So, how do you "fix" a frozen shoulder without pain? My shoulder started freezing up (I think) a few weeks before my exchange surgery, on the side where I had 5 sentinel nodes removed. After surgery, it was really frozen. I've been going through pt with a lymphedema certified pt (not sure where she got her certification - I'll have to check), and some of the exercises are pretty painful. I think they probably need to be, since I can't imagine making any progress without pushing it. Plus, it was pretty painful to begin with...........

I hope my body doesn't send that fluid to investigate! My shoulder has gotten a lot better, but still has quite a ways to go (especially with the external rotation)

My pt did just get me a compression sleeve and glove for my trip to Sedona next month, although my onc didn't think I'd need it..........

So, how do I "unfreeze" my shoulder without pushing it until it hurts or feels achy and heavy?

YIKES!!! :-)

Just can't seem to win! And, to top it off, my pt thinks my frozen shoulder may possibly be rotator cuff related.....

Theresa

I don't have lymphedema (knock on wood), but am at risk since I had a mastectomy with sentinel node biopsy. My pt recommended a sleeve and glove to be on the save side when flying next month. I've also seen opinions where it isn't necessary with just the snb (I had 5 sentinel nodes)

What are your feelings? And, is the compression sleeve and glove enough for those that don't have lymphedema, but are at risk?

Thanks!

Theresa

I love the Stephanie Plum novels as well - Just bought myself number 10 for the low, low price of $2 the other day (store going out of business), got home and sat down for a good read, and realized I had already read it! Okay, listened to it, but the same thing!!

I also love the Sue Grafton mystery series. Very light and easy to read, with a very likeable character. The main character is Kinsey Milhone, and she's a private detective with a pseudo Stephanie Plum attitude. And, their are tons of them - Starting with "A is for Alibi, B is for Burglar, on and on to "R is for Ricochet"....... (which I bought the same time as the Stephanie Plum novel, and realized I read it already also!) :-)

Good lighthearted summer reading!

(by the way - if you don't have time to read, and like to listen to the books on audio, both of these have great readers. You kind of get attached to their voices!!)