ratbait

Lefty, I reviewed the treatment plan with my rad onc, and he went over what part of the body will receive what part of radiation.  The BP is in the same area as the supraclavicular nodes, so if you are getting that level of radiation, you will have exposure.

Many people with early stage cancers do not have the supraclavicular nodes radiated.  I would assume this would translate into significantly reduced risk of compications. If you have questions of concerns, talk to your doctor and understand your treatment plan.  And discuss your concerns if the supraclavicular area is going to be radiatied.  With cancer, there is always a trade off between risks and benefits.

Thank you so much for the suggestions.

My supraclavicular region is being radiated, but only on one side.  I will make it a point to clear the nodes on the other side and in the groin.  And I will focus on drinking a lot of water. 

I have been exercising, and am imagining the gentle bouncing of the eliptical and adaptive motion machines as helping pump the fluid, it seems to help.  The jogbras also help, just not quite as much as more support does.

I found at Walmart some cotton shapewear. The didn't quite have my size, but I think the size I bought will work.  Barely there, which was the brand I had been using, is spandex, so I'm avoiding it.

Anyone with experience with managing truncal lymphedema during radiation?  I had swelling after surgery and was able to get it down with MLD and by wearing shapewear. 

When I started rads, I stopped wearing the shapewear.  Apparently the skin needs to breath during radiation. Right now, I am wearing a jog bra.

But, I feel the swelling coming back.  I would like to wear compression of some sort, but need to minimize chaffing.   Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

I was able to raise my hemoglobin by over 2 points while on treatment through diet.

I ate buffalo daily (buy it at whole foods, trader joes, or your supermarket)  with vitamin C (oranges or orange juice) and without calcium (no milk or cheese or multi vitamin with this meal.

I also supplemented with trader darwins whey protein powder (again from Trader Joes) that is high in iron.

It worked for me, but it did take about a month for the levels to rise.

Patti,  I just completed twelve weeks of taxol on Friday.  For me, it was significantly easier than AC.  I didn't have to take any anti-nausea meds.  I have had joint and muscle pain, but it is tolerable with anit-inflammatories.

Good luck on your decision.  I do know of people who have switched between the two.

I can tell you about my experience with carpal tunnel.  I was able to cure it successfully without surgery, and had the same symptoms you did.

1)  Understand what is causing the inflammation (it can be many things) and change your environment and behaviors.  I had an ergonomic evaluation done on my computer, changed my mouse, stopped riding my bicycle, and scrubbed things with my other hand.

2)  Wear a wrist brace 24/7.  I bought two at Walmart (they get stinky) and took them off only to shower.  But that was before BC and before lymphedema. 

Check with your therapist and have her see the wrist braces and their fit before wearing them.

3)  Control the inflammation with motrin (or aspirin or ibuprofin)

It took about 2 months to heal, but I've only had one flare up in ten years, and that was quickly healed.  I haven't had an issue through chemo, but taxol certainly has found all of my other old aches and pains and created a few new ones.

My friends that have had surgery still have issues with their wrists.

Just thought I would let you know there may be alternatives to surgery.

Gentle hugs.  There were so many things I couldn't do when I had carpal tunnel.

Nancy, I hope you are doing well with rads.

I will pop in for an update, and maybe join a rads group when the time is right.  How long did you wait between chemo and rads?

Saying hi to all again.  Holding up and nearing the completion of the chemo marathon

25 down, 2 to go.   Not that I'm counting.  Ha Ha.

And not that I'm talking to myself on these posts.  Hint, hint....

Juicy,

 How stressful.  I hated that I had to wait a week before I could see a therapist.  I wasn't content to just watch the swelling get worse and worse.  I did watch the self care videos at

http://www.nwlymphedemacenter.org/

and practiced self massage before I saw the therapist.  I was able to get some of the swelling down, but was making some mistakes also.

It is normal that the radiation damages your nodes.

I have had cording three times over the course of six months.  The first two responded to gentle upward stretching and resolved itself within a few weeks.

This last one has lasted a while longer.  And I am seeing a lympedema therapist for minor swelling.  I have two areas of cording.  One she says feels like a tendon, and the second is lymphatic.  So there can be several different causes.

Hugs.