GRRRRRRRRR I HATE LE..........
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Can you wrap the hand and wear the sleeve, instead of wrapping the arm too? I am having some hand swelling this morning not glove just gauntlet..I will have to talk to LE T about this, really didn't think of any hand issues being the upper arm is in control. The weather change here on the west coast is getting me - We have a big storm coming in tonight - I think it is on its way by the way my arms and breast feel... Not sure what to do...
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Oh, rot, Gma--what a bummer of a development. Get with your therapist as soon as possible. Grrrrrrrrr!
Kitty, have you looked at Circaid Juxtafit or the Farrow Wraps? (Hmmm, Farrow Wrap sounds like something at a cute lunch restaurant--some whole-grain item filled with veggies probably...
). I know a lot of lower-limb lymphers who really like the Farrow; I use the Juxtafit for my lower leg, but I know they have a separate thigh piece too. They're lighter than the foam-filled versions from Solaris or JoviPak, so they're easier to walk in, and they're adjustable for changes in your LE. Relatively comfortable too, though I've never used the upper leg version. Keep us posted!Hugs,
Binney0 -
Gma, if you are experiencing swelling in your hand, a gauntlet is no longer enough protection. Once you have swelling in your hand a glove is needed to protect the fingers from becoming involved.
I do not know the answer about wrapping the hand and wearing the sleeve. Since the concern is gradient compression, I don't know how you would know if your hand wrapping is right compared to the compression level in your sleeve. Still, wrapping the hand without wrapping the fingers would put the fingers at risk, especially if you are wearing a sleeve. I apologize, as I don't know whether you had been wrapping your fingers and assume they would be included when you refer to wrapping your hand. I am sure Binney or Kira will know more about combining hand wrapping with a compression sleeve.0 -
Tina - this is new
I only have had trunk and upper arm involvement.. but this weather on the west coast isn't like Sandy, but it has been bouncing from hot to cold, rain to sun to storm... I don't know anything about wrapping except what I have read.. my LE T said he would teach me if I needed to learn... I just don't have a glove right now and no money to get one/two - Fingers have been stiff and swollen but not overly so, my hand still has "wrinkles" but not as many wrinkles as last week... I see my LE T tomorrow.. it was supposed to be my last day... oh well...0 -
Gma
Can you wear a glove ?
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I could if I could afford it... I just got the gauntlets and new sleeves - I have no insurance to cover any of it.
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Gma, anxious to hear what your therapist has to say. Let us know!
Binney0 -
GmaFoley - The gloves are ghastly expensive!
I haven't bought a new pair because of that reason. BUT ... the isotoner therapeutic gloves are gloves that you can wear while you're saving up ... they do work and they aren't as expensive. They do not hold the compression as long as the more expensive ... but they are an option while you're saving.http://www.totes-isotoner.com/product/isotoner+fingerless+therapeutic+gloves.do
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Ok ladies, the verdict is in... You can wrap hand and use sleeve if necessary.. LE therapist said, it's not the best way to do it, but could be done. We didn't have much time but he showed me how to wrap hands. Good news is that we finally got my swelling down in both arms. My hand wasn't bad either today. Now get rid of the leak and swelling down in the breast and I will be stable.. Tomorrow, the surgeon. Leak check..
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Good nes, gma
But if you start to need a glove permanently , what compression and size.?
Can you find out ?
I *Presume* my INS covers mine.... at 80%. IF I find that it does and, I end up with let's just say an extra pair that I cant use .... well, who knows what people do to work things out. I surely wouldnt discard them!
You can always PM me.I am a small.
The isotoners are good, btw.
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I will look into the isotoners purple. Thanks. LE T did say that he knew it would only be time for it to move down the arms, we just have to keep it in control.
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Really hating life right now - I dislike all the mess you have to go through with medical bills you can't pay... just for them to deny you for financial aid because you make too much money???? I would sure like to know where the money is??? And yes $4000 of the bill is for LE Treatment that I can't just put by the wayside
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Gma, I do not like that "matter of time before it moved down the arms" comment. Grrrr, that is why we pay our therapists to work on us, to keep things stable as possible. I forget if there is an organization near you that helps fund BC related issues such as LE garments? Carol has a list she has compiled - maybe you could get support for paying for a good glove? A local organization near me gave me $50 to put toward my expenses, and I even have insurance. I found out about it through the oncology social worker at the hospital where I had my mastectomy.
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Tina, all the available funds here go by what you make - My DH and I now have good jobs, but not a good insurance. This puts us into that hole where you aren't qualified to get anything... I have tried the County cancer society.. the local cancer associations...not sure where else... The list didn't have anything in our area... I have already had my church foot the bill for my sleeves and one gauntlet - just think that is enough to ask for.. and then being on the phone with the medical center about how they denied my financial aide and we now owe over $13 k ... and it keeps going... that isn't finished. I still have more of the LE treatments and my new sleep apnea issues coming up...
I just want to scream!!!! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR Obama care what about the middle class that are falling through the cracks!!!! GRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!
Done venting now - Thanks Tina for trying to help -
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I will not give up yet! Gma, I wonder if the terrific LE advocate, Bob Weiss, could help you with that large bill? My insurance gave me a very hard time, and he finally helped me win an appeal. He is a great person just to consult on how to approach things, even if it's something he can't help with. But he would know if the medical center has to accept your financial aide because it is BC related. He's the man and knows his stuff. At least you will know your rights, which for me was half of my frustration. He will answer your email, or you can email him and ask if you can call and talk if that is easier when it comes to explaining your situation.
lymphactivist@aol.com
You can read more about him on the StepUp-SpeakOut site where they discuss Medicare and insurance appeals. Still, even if it's not exactly your situation, he is a great brain to pick for ideas. I just adore that man!
By the way, I got my $50 from a local organization created by a family whose son had died from cancer. It is a small charity. Which reminds me, I should look up the name and make sure Carol has on her list, but I digress. Anyway, I discovered there were several other very small local groups that I never heard of, but I think that is the point. They are small and choose how to dole out funds according to need. I think social workers are a great source of info, which is why I suggested the oncology social worker or a social worker at the breast center where you had your surgery. Still, nurses who have worked in the area for a while may also have heard of funding.
I know there is a lot on your plate right now, which can sap your mental energy and motivation. I have been there and really do get it.0 -
Got cauterized once again.. not a happy camper but pain pills, bed and I will deal at least another 2 weeks with a leak... Is there ever going to be an end to this??? going on week #7 with a leaky boob.... Where's the chocolate - think I will have ice cream and chocolate for dinner... and off to bed....
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Oh, Gma, take care of yourself, and, yes, chocolate is in order! Forget all my jibber jabber for now.
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A fleeting thought to you gma, is to stuff the #@*! leak with some chocolate! (But don't use the good stuff...)
Seriously, I am so sorry to hear that the leak seems to be winning, but in due time, YOU will win this little contest of wills. My own leak seems to have stopped (not that I trust it to stay that way), so I am feeling better about it. But I can assure you that when I had my recon surgery, I spent months babying leaks and wounds that just did not want to heal. And then...they did. The frustration you are feeling is so justified!
Rest...chocolate and ice cream...dig in and read a good book when you have some free time.
Sending hugs and a gentle pat on the back,
Carol
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Good morning ladies... I am working the fabric store plus 4am-8am on my computer job today - I will probably just stock threads again..which is an easy job - probably cash register too... Will take my pain pill just before I start... and put lots of gauze on - can't use bandaids - I'm allergic to the adhesive LOL... I can see a couple more dominos dropping - there is an end to my dominos somewhere, just hope it is soon...
Ok lets focus on the positive... the hole is smaller than it was 3 weeks ago, my arm measurements are down, I have 2 great kids, their spouses and 3 wonderful grandkids and when my daughter was in a horrible accident yesterday with my grandson, they weren't injured in the same place there have been fatalites in the past... God is good!
38 years ago at this time, I was a nervous bride-to-be, with a father, dying from cancer, that just wanted to hand one more daughter over to her new partner for "life". It was his dream come true and mine also... Thank you dad for handing me over to the best husband I could ever imagine.. Dave, I love you as much as on our wedding day and I hope we have 38 more wonderful years together...Thank you Lord, for bringing Dave and I together and keeping us together all these years...
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Gma--Just when I feel for you when things seem so down you bring up the positive. Glad you have a supportive DH. Hang in there. I agree with Tina--contact Bob Weiss and see if he can help with insurance.
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Tina - I emailed Bob Weiss a very jumbled msg but hopefully, he will understand it..
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Glad you emailed him, Gma! Your gratitude about having such a wonderful husband brought tears to my eyes. Congratulations on your 38 yrs together.
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Gma, congratulations to you both!
Chocolate!
Binney0 -
Hey gang,
Has anybody heard of the seam on a gauntlet or glove causing nerve impingement on the thumb? That seam dug into my thumb, now I get a shooting pain through it.
Problem is, my insurance thinks it's occupational health. It wasn't caused by my occupation, it was caused by my LE garments. I also don't trust anyone not trained in lymphatics to treat my affected limbs.
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Tina, Bob can't help me. I am stuck in this financial mess because I'm not on Medicare. Every thing he suggested to do, I've already tried. Oh well, it is what it is.
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Gma , can you get on medicare >?
Pls PM me on this if you like. I do have info if u r 65 .0 -
Ok so nobody has heard of garments hurthing them? I don't know what to do now, fix the darn thumb myself I guess.
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Nibbana, I get numbness from the glove between the thumb and pointer finger. I have used batteries in the past on the fingers of a wet glove to try and stretch out the certain areas that are affected. I've never had shooting pains, but I do find my hand cramps more easily when doing certain types of work or crafts.
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Purple..nope not 65 for 7 more years and all our retirement retired without us. I give up.. It is what it is and there is nothing we can do about it. Only God can get us out of this one..
My breast hurts tonight.. I am thinking my body doesn't like that silver nitrate they cauterize with. It looks like it is infected again.. Yellow goo leaking again.0 -
Have you tried a night garment?? I was getting wrapped and wearing compression and it was making my arm worse!! I now have a tribute night garment and it has been about 6 months of my arm looking and feeling great!! Hope this helps you!!
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