After Radiation
Comments
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Binney- thanks for posting that information and those encouragin words re. lymphadema. I am also sore an dawaiting an appointment next week so they were encouraging. Thanks
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Re: insurance and mammos. yes, be sure to ask about the well-woman coverage. When I got my first digital mammo (pre-Dx in 2010) was shocked that it was more than 2x the price of the non-digital ones and they originally didn't bill it via well-woman (so they were making me pay the deductible). Also, the first time I called the insurance company, the person wasn't so helpful. I called back with another question, got someone more helpful (and she was the one who get it covered under well woman) So sometimes it helps to try again?
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je1957 & Sherryc, thank you. I used aquaphor cream during treatment and still use it when it's itchy. I may need stronger one.
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Peggy- think I will wait on the mammogram results and then book an appointment and go and talk to someone in person..or will call anonymously first to find out the info I need befor eit goes on record wih the insurance company...another thing to fret about
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jocek, I want to say "thanks again" for you comment about flying with a compression sleeve to prevent lymphedema. I'm waiting a callback from my BS's office, but today I went to my Guided Imagery class and during the check-in period I mentioned that I'm flying and if anyone had any info on compression sleeves and flying to talk to me after. The room lit up (it's a group of patients with various types of cancer including people who had lymphedema on their legs) So yes, it's an issue and everyone says it's better to be safe than sorry. I'm going to the store tomorrow. thanks! (BTW, in the lymphedema forum I discovered a thread "should I fly?" I didn't know it was there since I didn't know to worry about it) As an FYI, a fellow patient mentioned that some oncology offices have therapists that do special lymph system massages, if needed.
sandee, I agree that it makes sense to get your medical care first and then haggle with the insurance after, if needed. Good luck with everyone.
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I'll be going in tomorrow to be fitted for a Class 1 Lymphadema sleeve. Thanks to all the ladies on these threads, I found out that, even though I have no symptoms, I need to wear a sleeve on my flight to Europe. I guess I keep it on for the entire flight and for three hours after. Then I need to immerse my arm in water to cool it down.
Thanks for the advice!
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I ordered one of the Lymphedema Alert bracelets and it came in the mail today. For ladies like myself who never heard a word about lymphedema from their medical team, there is a lot of good information that was included in the mailer. There are several pages that specifically address the issue of flighting and the do's and dont's whether you have lymphedema or not. The cost of the bracelet is $18.00 - not bad for a potential lifesaving piece of jewelry.
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Jo can you post that website again I can't seem to find it and want to order one as well.
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Sherry - Here is the website - www.lymphnet.org. I can't figure out how to copy it so you can click on it. I ordered my Saturday night, it shipped from California on Monday and here today.0
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Joyce thanks for sharing the info with us.
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Joyce - Thank for sharing - I have learned so much from this website. I am finding in amazing everyday the amount of information the doctors are not giving me to prevent problems in the future.0
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I have not heard from Granny in a couple of days. I am really worried about her. I know she was leaving for PA on Friday for 2 weeks. Don't know if she will have a computer where she is going.
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Joyce - You got that right about Granny - she certainly does tell it like it is. She doesn't pull any punches.0
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Great info re. the lymphodema sleeves and bracelet etc. $18 is a great price. I asked my team about it when I was diagnosed and again at surgery and again at radiation because I fly a lot....was told it is not an issue until it is an issue...forgo the sleeve 'god is good' gave me but am bringing it with me to the lymphodema clinic this monday coming to see what they say ...have also gone for a lymph massage and I fel soooooosoososooo much better afterwards. Have another set for July.
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All my doctors are female also.I agree they know how we feel.Have a great weekend !
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Hi everyone! Guess what I finished Rads this past Tuesday!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for leading me here Susan!
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Sagina, congrats on finishing rads.
All the comments about Lymphedema has been interesting to me. I've kind of been ignoring the whole thing and maybe shouldn't have been!! I don't fly so that's not an issue for me. My BS, who is one of the best in the country told me with my SNB, 2 nodes, that I have about a 5% chance of developing it. Being Triple Negative BC, my risk for it coming back is higher then my risk of Lymphedema so I think that is why I'm ignoring it. I am however pro-active in not letting anyone take my blood pressure or blood draws, shots in the left arm. I use that arm as much as I ever did so maybe I need to read more about what I need to do to be careful. Geesh, I forgot yesterday and picked up my 3 1/2 year old grand daughter and carried her about 20 feet in the left arm.
Have a great weekend everyone. We will if the rain stops and the storms stop!
Juanita
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Sagina - Congrats on finishing rads. Love to hear good news here.
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So now the BIG question for all of you! When oh when can I wear a bra again? I had a lumpectomy - whole breast, super clav, and underarm radiation, my skin is coming off (underarm and under breast) and I'm a 42 can't count that many D's cups bra size!!!! lol. I never thought I say I miss my underwire bras.....
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sagina - I'm only a dd but I used to think under wire was the only thing that would give enough support. My problem is narrow shoulders, always had trouble with slipping straps. A few years ago a bra fitter got me to try a Playtex cross your heart and I have never had such wonderful support. When I visited a niece I haden't seen in a couple of years she thought I had had a breast lift!
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Congrats Sagina. Glad you gratuated to the after rads thread. As for the bra it was about two to three weeks before I started wearing mine again. Just depends on how fast your skin heals and how senstitive your lump scar area is.
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About lymphedema,
My BS laughed at me when I asked for a referral to be measured. So I don't have one...but sure would like one...I am flying to Europe tonight, so it's a bit late now. But will push the situation with BS when I come back.
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sagina - I wore a bra right after lump surgery and all through rads with no problems and my lump scar is at the bra line on the bottom on my breast. Each person is different and I would suggest you go ahead and try it. If the bra is comfortable, leave it
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Thank you Joyce for all the LE advice. I have my sleeve and glove on order and just ordered my bracelet.
Gina-So glad you are finally done!!! I haven't even looked at my underwires yet. I find the nursing bra I've been wearing so comfortable, I may never go back. I am larger at 36DD, so do miss that lifting that underwires give, but have been choosing comfort over looks lately.
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hello my sistas---its late and im tired but i just wanted to drop a fast line to let all my sistas know i did not go away to pa as planned.my GD and i had to attend a funeral for 2 different people since yesterday and will continue till monday...so im home...my friend who i know since im 2yrs old.her older brother died.he was like a brother to me too.and my GD had a death in her boyfriends family...so you see ill be home until next week.
im tryin to catch up but my eyes are closing...it looks like sistas helping sistas after the rads are doing great.with or without me...ill try to get back on tomorrow and talk to all of you direct.
a big HUGGGGGGGG to all my sistas who brought all the great info on the lymphedema and the bracelet.i too ordered it at the begining of the week and still did not get it...
i have 6 pms but ill have to spend the day on here tomorrow to answer them(providing no one else doesnt drop dead in between.it seem like im spending lots of my new life at funeral homes...guess i cant get into any trouble there...
wore a reg.bra for the first time.it felt good not to wear the harness.ha...
love all of you.huggggggggs again and GOD bless K
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Granny sorry you had to cancel your trip to PA, but sounds like your friend needs you.
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I just got home from my first business trip after completing chemo, rads, etc. A week in Indianapolis training college admissions reps with 3 other people from my training department. When I got on the plane for the first time after being "grounded" for 6 months, I truly felt that I was back. No one except for my fellow trainers knew that I was wearing a wig, and although I thought I would be exhausted at the end of every day, I was actually energized. The best thing of all was that I stayed so busy that hours went by when I didn't think about cancer! That is new for me. Next week I am going to Chicago, then a few weeks at home. I am so grateful to my company and for health insurance that gave me time to be home, but feel so lucky (and proud of myself) that I am back, baby!
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aimeemac so glad you had a good week and are feeling good. Woohoo about not thinking about cancer.
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Granny - So sorry you had to cancel your trip to PA. I know you were looking forward to it. So sorry for your losses. As if you don't have enough on your plate already. WOOHOO on wearing a regular bra - that harness of yours has not been fun.
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yay aimeemac!! That was how I felt in January ....was grounded for 6 months wiating for appointments and being on everyone else's schedule....now waiting again and hoping this is not round two...if it is not, changes are coming!
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