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Arm & Hand swelling (Help)

cthip
cthip CSN Member Posts: 7
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I have never had this trouble before. Had breast removed in may and had 6 chemo of cef and 6 taxitere(last treatment end of nov.) and 34 treatments of radiation (last treatment dec 19th). 7 cm tumor and 4 poistive lymph glands out of 19. stage 3 cancer.We are in Florida until next weekend and then will return to Michigan and will see my Dr. Is thier any thing I can do to keep the swelling down until I get home? I have had this since thursday . It has helped to keep it raised up with pillows.
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Comments

  • pippi
    pippi CSN Member Posts: 51
    #2
    Hi, Have you tried the exercises that they gave you to do in hospital. Rest it as much as you can. Look up the lymphadema web sites on the net. Good luck Love Pippi
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  • cruf
    cruf CSN Member Posts: 908 Member
    #3
    On this website ACS Today, there is a good article about lymphodema. It talks about prevention and treatment. Before you fly, you should get yourself a compression glove to help prevent increase in swelling. Hold your arm overhead as often as you can. Exercise . Good luck. HUGS!! Cathy
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  • debw
    debw CSN Member Posts: 99 *
    #4
    If your insurance will cover it, I would go to a doctor in Florida and see if they will refer you to physical therapy at a place that does manual massages for lymphedemia. Best to get it under control before you fly back. The arm can be wrapped but needs to be done by someone who knows what they are doing. You can massage it yourself by appying very slight pressure from the hand up the arm. Like you were applying lotion. The amount of pressure is barely a touch. Let us know if you get help. Debw
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  • codyhaak
    codyhaak CSN Member Posts: 4
    #5
    WHEN I HAVE MY MASTECTOMY I HAD TERRIBLE SWELLING IN MY RIGHT ARM AND HAND. SOMETIMES I THOUGHT IT WOULD BURST. I WAS TOLD IT WAS BECAUSE I HAD NO NODES ON THE LEFT SIDE AND THE RIGHT SIDE WAS COMPENSATING. I HAVE NO CURE FOR YOU BUT IT TOOK A YEAR TO STOP. IT WAS WORSE WHEN I WAS IN HOT WEATHER SO MAYBE IT WILL GET BETTER WHEN YOU LEAVE FLORIDA. I WISH YOU LUCK DEBORAH
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