Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?

This is the miracle that happens every time to those who really love; the more
they give, the more they possess of that precious nourishing love from which
flowers and children have their strength and which could help all human beings
if they would take it without doubting.



Rainer Maria Rilke

Mimi- I was diagnosed with lymphodema back in Jan, before my surgery. The Drs figure it started from the biopsy of the lymph nodes in Oct. I noticed that my right hand was swollen,and mentioned it to my MO the day of my third chemo. She kind of just ignored it. Then I went to FL for a week, and my 11yr old grandson noticed the arm was also swollen. Next time I went to MO, she ordered an ultrasound to make sure it wasn't a clot. I was measured for a compression sleeve and glove and a monstrous "night garment" and was sent for therapy. I have never gotten thru a whole night with the night garment, it is way too heavy and confining and hot. I was using the sleeve and glove pretty regularly until I noticed sometime last week that they weren't really making a difference. I have been going to therapy 2-3x  a week, but had my last session yesterday at least until I come back from Fla. I have noticed that lifting heavy things make it swell, so I will only carry one gallon of milk at a time, and carry balanced by both arms. I let the others carry anything heavier, like bags of groceries. I will wear the compression garments when I fly next week. It's more of a nuisance than anything else at this point.

Anne

The LE talk has me wondering about lifting weights to help with bone density.  I have a very easy yoga + weights cd ... I think about 10 minutes a session.  I tried it with 3 pound weights and found the 3 pound weights too heavy, so I bought 2 pound weights to try ... haven't used them yet.  Before bc I was using 5 and 8 pound weights for another exercise program.  Has anyone been given guidance about weights?  At this point I do not seem to have LE.  I had one node removed.

Chevy, was the finger fact posted by you?  I recently had to be fingerprinted to renew my teaching license which at 70 I will probably never need.  Anyway, the poor fingerprint tech could not get clear prints because my fingers are so worn.

Sally - I'd check with someone knowledgeable about LE.  It can come anytime - up to 20 years later.  There are so many things we shouldn't do any more.  

After BMX, I ended up with truncal LE after sentintal node biopsy on one side only.  Now I've had ALND on the other side.  It's so hard to remember not to pick up that bag of groceries, or cut off that dead rose w/o gloves, or move that furniture, or let the nail salon use their instruments instead of taking my own.  Even things like letting the doc offices take blood pressure - since both of my arms are effected.

There are some great LE threads on this site and most of them also point you to this thread below for basic information.

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/

MinusTwo, thank you for suggesting the SUSO website, which has been a lifesaver for me and lots of others who need to learn about lymphedema.  Here's a link to one particular document there, that explains how weight lifting can co-exist with LE:

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Handout%20doc%20for%20SUSO-040113.pdf

There are a couple of other pages on the topic, including a handout meant to be given to personal trainers, exercise instructors, Pilates and yoga teachers, etc.  But this one is a good start on learning about the risks and benefits (there are many benefits!)  The Cliff's Notes version is that lifting anything heavier that we are accustomed to signals stress to the body, and if we have LE or are at risk of it, the lymphatic system's response--sending lymphatic fluid to the limb or torso--can cause swelling.  So we want to avoid overdoing it, but at the same time, we want to condition the arms and torso to heft greater weights without provoking the stress signal.  To do that we....lift weights!  Hence the primary approach for weight lifting with or at-risk of LE:  Start with really light weights and add weight in tiny increments, slowly.  That way, we build muscle in a way that reduces the likelihood of triggering the swelling.

Carol

I got a lumpectomy n the lymph nodes in different surgery,  didn't get a mastectomy n no le

One of the most delightful things I did on the recent Florida trip was to visit my friend Paula. She was my Maid of Honor in my Atlanta, GA June 1970 wedding but I had not seen her since. In fact we had lost track of one another completely as I moved around with my Air Force husband and she was divorced and remarried. About three months ago we found her ex-husbands Facebook page and were able to contact one of their children to ask about Paula. She was so happy to hear from us. What a coincidence to find out she is now living in Florida about 2 hours away from my home of St. Petersburg. The years melted away last week when we saw Paula and met her "new" husband (of 35 years) in tiny Avon Park, FL.

If you are depressed you are living in the past .If you are
anxious you are living in the future ,If you are at peace you are living in
present . Lao Tzu

I was told to use 2 pound weights or 1 pound weights in both my yoga and silver sneakers class.  I went with the 2 pound and have been doing fine.  I know several gals who have developed LE several years after their surgeries so I try to take precautions about lifting and carrying groceries, etc.  Sometimes, though, I forget!  I was also told that it is bad to lift bowls or heavy items from shelves in cupboards above your head.  So far I have been lucky!

Sandra...great pictures of you and your friend!  :-)

I enjoyed reading about the country roads versus a four-lane highway.  I think I have the four lanes....at least I sure hope so.  Because I've not been good at all in remembering things....most of the LE info I got is nowhere to be found -- and you certainly can't do a lot of precautions you don't remember.  So....it is my huge hope and prayer that I am right and won't get the LE ever.  I do have a special little "cart" a black plastic sort of basket on wheels thingy that I got at Sams......and I put most of my groceries in it and wheel it up the stairs ( large - gentle ones ) and right on into the kitchen.....so not too much carrying usually.  More pulling with my rt. hand side.

Jackie

I'm so sorry to have been MIA the last few days--I just can't keep up/

Well I just read all the pages and I love, love love reading about everyone's life and how different we all had our upbringing and world has been and thru this ugly disease we have come together to be friends, and know each other very well and never knew each other at all. We're all so different and yet so much the same. Amazing. U've heard most of my stories bit by bit so I won't go into much.

I was born May 18th 1945 and always thought because of me the war was ending--(not really) But I do love that time in our country--things seemed so simple and everyone was friendly, and how the neighbors would sit outside in the summer, leave doors unlocked borrowed easily from a neighbor, never knew we really didn't have money, always had lots of family around==it was great. I was always happy in my heart and my mom finally told me as I was growing up no one appreciated this happy thing in the morning. But it didn't stop me and I'm basically the same way-Remember I told u the nuns would say Novenas for me cuz they thought something must be wrong with me cuz I was always happy and that wasn't normal. Maybe there is something wrong but it's fine with me.

Mimi I have LE and went to therapy and they gave me excercises to help and I still do them and slight messages with them, I wear the compression things and It's all right, But I think u always have it. I know the Onc said I can never have shots or b/p from either of my arms so I guess it's lifelong. But I admit some days I don't feel well and tell thm to put that b/p thing around my neck, but no one has. I've heard the leg might give a little different reading from the arms, but I don't really know if that's accurate

And I absolutely loved the wedding and now pictures.

And Carole I'm still amazed that I never knew u had authored so many or even one book

I'm not on the boards as much now (OK don't laugh, cuz of my job) but I've kept a few of my favs and I told u not cuz we're older I really like and respect all of u--so I kep this one on my favs. And no one here makes fun of my horrible tyoing---CHEVY notice that.??? Miss smarty Pants.

I hope everyone has a feel good weekend and of course remember the reason for our long weekend, Well I think we all do.

Cami, I am glad you kept us on your favs.  I look forward to your posts.  I am thinking that being busy is good because the business must be growing.

Jackie, sending good wishes for your DH.

Jackie- Hope DH  feels better soon. I had the opposite problem with my DH when he was in the hospital. He refused to eat, and he was diabetic, so food was critical to his stability. Now, having gone thru chemo, I have a better understanding of not being able to eat, but I managed to get protein drinks down when all else failed. He was not at all willing to be flexible, no matter what anyone said. It was really hard. And when in the hospital, he wanted me there from dawn till dusk - and was only willing to let me go at dusk because he knew I was very uncomfortable driving the highway at night.  On weekends, my DD#2 would head down to the hospital early in the morning with Dunkin Donuts coffee, so I could sleep in and relax till about noon, then we would switch. 

Anne

Oh Jackie I hope u'r DH heals fast. Who in the hell likes a broth diet, I don't even like broth unless it's filled with loads of veggies and chicken. The I'd be all right with it.

Chevy it's funny cuz see people think we're nuts, it's not like I don't have other emotions, but happy takes over for the most part. And I'm fine with all of it--it sure has helped me for a lot of years.

I just went to put on the weather channel and we have no weather for the present moment please try again later. So right now we have no weather????

Okay Anne!  Yes, I remember posting that, but I thought you meant something else.... Ha! 

So "I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you hears is not what I meant!"

Now if you can figure THAT one out, you are doing better than ME!