Kicking LEs butt!! Exercise & Self Care Log
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40 min walkies in today!
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I decorated my tree. That counts as exercise, right?
But on a more serious note... I have some swelling in my hand and wrist. I have been wearing my sleeve and glove while I work then taking it off when I’m resting. Any hints on getting that to ease up? I think it kinda blew up when my tendon in my thumb popped. (My goodness did that feel good tho) I don’t go back to PT till next week.
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Ta: lol. Sure ....we count anything moving here as exercise! Try wearing your garments longer or call your therapist tomorrow and ask her what to do while waiting for appointment.
Elevate arm about above heart. Helps fluid drain out of hand. Prop up on couch arm with some pillows but if it gets tired then stop.
Raise fist straight in air above head and pump slowly 25 times a few times a day.
Drink lots of water.
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hugz, when you pump, do you hold your arms up, keep them up and just pump your hands, or do you go up and down with your arms as you open and close your hands?
I have officially joined my professional organizations lymphedema section (American physical therapy association ) so I will get in on all of their research. Hopefully it will help all of us. I'm getting more convinced I have some truncal edema. I've got all my med appts this week, so hopefully I can get some other opinions.
Have a healthy week everyone
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2fun raise your arm straight up in air like you want to give an answer then pump making fists. Arm doesn't move.
Nice that your joining le section in your pt practice. You sure could give us some good ideas down the road.
You may feel like you have a rubbery boiled egg at the back of your pit if you have truncal. It usually presents there. Occasionally I get a ache on top of my shoulder blade but not often. If I walk it usually helps drain it away. Of course le is a crapshoot so sometimes it doesn't work. Ugh dang le
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Ok ladies I have a question. I have a smushy knot on my LE arm. It is on the inside of my elbow right at the joint. It's in the ulna side and is sore if I touch it. I noticed last night when I had my pump on that area was touchy. What is it??? Should I be concerned? I actually have a PT appointment tomorrow at 4:30. I have not been to PT since early October.I have felt like the LE is under control now. Thanks in advance!
Teresa
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Hugz - thanks for the re-fresh about pumping. I have been pumping my arm up & down while I open & close my fist. Just doing the hand will be MUCH easier on the airplane.
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Vargadoll I have a spot like that too. On me it is because of the cording in that arm. When I exercise it gets a bit worse but overall it has gotten better over the last few weeks. My PT says it is one of the insertion points of the tendon (I think that is what she said) and it is just irritated to keep moving, so I do. I think I only have one more appt with PT because I now have almost full ROM and only a little cording left. Whew! I just hope to not have a repeat after my exchange surgery in the spring.
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Hugz, huge congrats on your progress with weight control and keeping up with the exercise so cheerfully--really, you sure do inspire. And boy! do we ever need it!
2fun, I do have leg LE (in only one leg so far) and know a few other women who have developed it as well, in spite of no below-waist surgeries or node removal. And yep, I sure do think my lymph system was not real vigorous from the beginning, so perhaps bc treatment was a real set-up for LE for me. More answers about why some of us develop LE and others don't would sure be helpful, and happily there are some researchers who share our interest in that, so someday we can look forward to having real answers.
Gentle hugs,
Binney0 -
varadoll. Sorry I have no idea what your bump is. Do ask PT or doc. I'd love to know to!
Binney. Thx. It's been a lot of work. Up five pounds down one, up two, down three yadda yadda but I have kept 23 off in past two years since I started sweating at the gym! Are you still tossing corks!
Dear Binney,I'm so glad you don't have limbs of an octopus because I'm sure you would get le in everyone. So unfair. I thought it was you that had three limbs affected. Dang it. All that elastic in southern heat to. Blah! You sure do make the best of it and your spirits are high!
Ok..... I so dragged tail at gym. Turned out lights 2am last night. I notice if I don't sleep by 12:30-1 am then I can't perform at the gym next day.Plus being sleep deprived I just want to eat all day. Bad combo! Must sleep! Anyone else like that!
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hugz, how much sleep would that get you? I'm up at 545 for work (earlier now that we need to clear snow to get the cars out). I need at least 7.5 hrs. Or I just want to eat everything in my path.
Binny, how does your LE express itself in your legs? I did have pelvic nodes removed with my endometrial cancer removal (between lumpectomy and mastectomy )
I do have to say I'm a little ticked that I "have" to keep up on all of this cancer and LE resesrch/treatments, as it is not really my professional area of interest. Like all of you I wish that I could be done and move onto something else.
Wish me luck shoveling for the first big snowfall this morning.
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2fun. I need at least eight to function at top speed but can get away with 7 for a few days. I average 71/2
6 hours turns me into a zombie.
Your right le sucks but we have no choice so let's get on board and just do it. Dang it anyway. Phooey.
Snow!Don't tire your limbs out,take frequent breaks and definately fist pump. Shovelling snow is hard on us unless your in shape and use to it. Many have had le flare shovelling.
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Damn! This knot might be a blood clot! I was sent from therapy to the doctor!
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Vargadoll - so sorry to hear that. HOpe you get good news.
Hugz - oh yes, I have the same problem - eating to stay awake when I'm tired. I know conventional wisdom says you can't make up the loss of sleep, but I still seem to be able to run at full tilt for a couple of days & then collapse for a day. Monday night I couldn't get to sleep until 3am & some stupid trucker trying to schedule a delivery woke me at 6am. (wrong number). It was my day to see the MO at the med center so I couldn't go back to sleep, even if I could have convinced my body. But 3 hours is NOT good. I left the house at 9am, ran errands before & after the doc and didn't get home until 4:30 pm. I'm rarely in bed before midnight, but I was out for the count by 11pm and slept until the alarm woke me at 9:30 this morning. I probably could have slept a full 12 hours, but I promised myself I wouldn't miss Silver Sneakers this week. Too bad that I have to go for appointments early both Wed & Thurs.
Oh 2FUN, I have to remember you do that every day. So sorry to complain. Now that I'm retired I often sleep past 8am.
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Vargadoll I hope everything went well with the doctor.
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So I thought I'd take the dog for a slow jog until I sustained a 3rd degree twist on my bad ankle about one minute into my walk.
I'm on a cruise and desert trip this weekend for two weeks and was so hoping to exercise in Warm weather to control my le. Not sure what will happen but I'll just deal with it. I want to keep moving even if its upper body and good leg. But I certainly won't be walking.
2 fun. Any suggestions. I'm on crutches. Putting a bit of weight on it. Rest ice elevating it and have a home lazer I used once tonight. I admire you for getting up so early. I couldn't do that even in my healthy years. I'm retired so I can sleep in some days. But not too much or I won't fall asleep at night. I Must find a balance here.
Varadoll. Oh dear! Let us know how it goes.
Minus, my...you sound like my life. Yes we both need sleep. I hope you keep silver sneakers class. I'm jealous now that I can't exercise much.
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Oh Hugz - I'm so sorry to hear about your ankle. Just when you were so firmly committed. And crutches on a cruise? Ugh. Since you're gone two weeks, do you have a folding cane you can take if it heals fast though?
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Good idea about cane. I'll take my walking poles instead because they collapse.
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2fun, my leg LE is all in my lower leg, and I use an Allegro cotton compression stocking (from BrightLife Direct), which is more comfortable than others in the desert heat, but also in the winter. I also learned MLD for the lower body from my therapist and find the abdominal MLD most effective in controlling it. Walking actually helps it, oddly enough, and gentle jogging (on the carpeted floor at home--don't know about jogging on concrete) is the most effective. I do the 15-minute Lebed opening exercises most days, which are designed for the entire system, so they help my leg as well. When it's acting up it aches enough to keep me awake, so I also have a Solaris night garment for my entire leg, which works as well as wrapping. (Only problem being: I hate it, of course!)
Those of you out shoveling snow in the early hours, do remember (as Hugz reminds us) to stop at intervals and give the arm a rest. I strongly recommend hot cocoa breaks, but maybe that's just me!
HUGZ, GOOD GRIEF! Ankles are a definite weak point, but soooooo discouraging when they decide to limit activity. Especially on a cruise! Keep a lookout for problems with the crutches, as they can cut off lymph drainage unless they're adjusted (and used) just right, so there's minimal pressure in the axilla. But, hey! I'm still rooting for a FANTABULOUS vacation! Can't wait to hear all about it!
Hugs and hot chocolate,
Binney0 -
Oh Hugz, I'm so sorry about your ankle. And right before your trip? What unfortunate timing! Pls take care of yourself & don't push too hard. You can continue all your upper body exercises (you'll need extra strength to handle those demon crutches!) & keep on working your good leg. Let your ankle heal & just enjoy your vacation. We depend on you so much here - we need you to be ready to cheer us all on when you return!
Wishing you a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year. You've been a great help during these last few months & I'm counting you among my blessings this year!
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OH Hugz,,, sorry to hear about the ankle. Hope the walking poles will help.
Just wanted to report that I got my drain out today! YAY for that. But,,, I ask,, when do i come back for follow-up? No need,, just call if any problems. No 6 week checkup? No, not needed. When can I start exercising, swimming, etc? When the drain hole is closed, you can swim, and start exercising whenever you feel like it. hmmmmmm,,,,,, wow,,, talk about "great" post op care,,,,, I realize that it was a prophy,, but it is still surgery!!
Good thing I see my LE therapist tomorrow,,, and I am seeing another PT for scar management next week. ( I saw her last time too) so I hope to get some good advice about exercising, etc.
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vara doll. I hope you got goid news from the.dr. keep us posted.
Hugz, remember RICE ...Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation (above your heart). Gentle pain free active motion in an ice bath. Get some crutches to take the weight off. Anti inflammatory meds like ibuprofen (check with your doctor) and decreased sugar intake has a good antime inflammatory effect. Dome People swear bY Arnica ointment. TAKE IT EASY!
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Thx helpers! I didn't totally rice it today because I was off driving around getting a kneescooter. It's wonderful!!!!! Fun but tippy. Borrowed the electric scooter in Costco for quick stop. That was interesting and didn't use my feet except for carefully reaching stuff. People held freezer doors open for me. How nice.
The crutches are not le friendly when you have axilla out as there is just skin and bone. No fat to cushion even though I put extra foam on crutches.
What I did do was visit doc. Cold lazered myself three times 5 min each time which helps with swelling. Elevated a bit and now sleeping with foot above heart. It's done in for the eve and tomorrow after MLD therapist I come basically straight home to rest foot for few hours. Pain not bad. Turning purple.
2fun yes low sugar. Taking a product rollerbladers use for their knees called recovery.has glucosamine etc vitamin c etc in it. They swear by it. Thx for reminding me I have arnica to try. I hope it's ok to flex back and forth a bitto keep mobile. I'll try ice bath.
JKL. Did upper body workout at home. It went ok. Modified a bit.Chair cardio maybe tomorrow but have to watch arms with that type of cardio.
Yeah Glennie no drain, you've got half your life back now ...go exercise the other half! Happy for you.
Binney you may as well order a full body suit. Dang! I feel for you. Double chocolate sundae for you. I honestly don't know how you fall asleep. A king size bed for sure to accomodate all that foam pieces and pillows to elevate no doubt!
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Hugz, hooray for the kneescooter! I had one when I broke my leg and thought it was great fun (gotta be a bit careful on inclines--going down you need to steer straight or it can get tippy). Also a great conversation starter--I met lots of people while using it, most of whom wished they could try it. My son was so jealous--asked for one for Christmas that year. Uh, no....!
So glad the pain is manageable. Heal quick! Extra hugs!
Binney0 -
Still no answer for this tender lump on my elbow. When the oncologist didn't call me yesterday I called them. I was told just to keep my appointment in 2 weeks....WTH?!? I'm supposed to walk around with this unknown lump that is warm, tender to the touch and is red??? I said thats not acceptable to me. I go today at 2:30.
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Binney thx for advice on scooter. They are fun but the other leg and le arm can get tired. I mounted a kids bike horn on mine to warn the old folks on the ship to look out. I'm also decorating it with a sign that says Palm Springs...or bust! Yes one must look at the small good that comes out of bad. There is always something we can make into a lighter situation.
Lol on kid wanting one. Too funny.
Ok trying chair cardio today
I've wrapped my foot in compression wraps. Humm.... yes indeed... practicing how to wrap has come in handy. Not the best job. But I'm new to foot wrapping.
Varadoll GOOD FOR YOU for being your own advocate. Go get em girl
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The lump has/had everyone puzzled. I was sent for an ultrasound and the team decided that it' cellulitis. They prescribed Bactrim for 7 days and told me not to use my flexi pump. I'm surprised it's cellulitis. There's no sign of where a bacteria could have entered. I will welcome all advice on this one! What do you do with the lymphedema?? Do you still try to do your MLD? Wear compression garments? I'm clueless thanks ladies!
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The lump has/had everyone puzzled. I was sent for an ultrasound and the team decided that it' cellulitis. They prescribed Bactrim for 7 days and told me not to use my flexi pump. I'm surprised it's cellulitis. There's no sign of where a bacteria could have entered. I will welcome all advice on this one! What do you do with the lymphedema?? Do you still try to do your MLD? Wear compression garments? I'm clueless thanks ladies!
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hugs, if your crutches are adjusted properly they should not touch your underarms. Stand tall, place your arms by your side. The top of the crutches should he about 2 inches from your under arms. You should be able to.stick 2 to 3 fingers between the crutch tops and your pit. Also, handles should be at your wrist. When crutching, there should be a 30 degree bend at your elbow. Hth
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vargadoll, I don't know mutch about cellulitis, but I don't think.you need an overt point of entry for nasty bscteria.
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