lymphedema concerns

SweetSue

Has any of your doctors okayed the activity of bowling? I returned to bowling, but traded my 12 pound ball for an 8 pound ball. However, I am nervous about getting lymphedema. My doctor seems to think anything goes, but sometimes I wonder.
Thanks for reading what seems a trivial post.
Sue

krisrey

Hi Sue,
It will be interesting to see how others reply. Lymphedema seems to me the least of all concerns from the doctors when you get dx and have surgery. I don't even remember them talking to be about it before I went in to have the third surgery to remove more nodes. But to answer your question, for me personally I have found that I returned to normal activity pretty quickly. But, I did have major concerns because I did not want my lifestyle to change. I weightlift and I have heard you should not lift heavy weights. But, I have also heard that if its something that you have always done, then you can do it, if not a little more moderatly. I can feel if I overuse my arm and I take it easy the next day or try to keep it elevated and massage it.
Anyway, I think if one had done exercise before then moving into it gradually should be OK, but watching it closely and OK'ing it by the doctors, or you could always get in touch with a lymephedia specialist.
Take care,
Kristen

SweetSue

krisrey said:

Hi Sue,
It will be interesting to see how others reply. Lymphedema seems to me the least of all concerns from the doctors when you get dx and have surgery. I don't even remember them talking to be about it before I went in to have the third surgery to remove more nodes. But to answer your question, for me personally I have found that I returned to normal activity pretty quickly. But, I did have major concerns because I did not want my lifestyle to change. I weightlift and I have heard you should not lift heavy weights. But, I have also heard that if its something that you have always done, then you can do it, if not a little more moderatly. I can feel if I overuse my arm and I take it easy the next day or try to keep it elevated and massage it.
Anyway, I think if one had done exercise before then moving into it gradually should be OK, but watching it closely and OK'ing it by the doctors, or you could always get in touch with a lymephedia specialist.
Take care,
Kristen

thanks for responding.
I know of a woman who has lymphedema (11 years after surgery). She has to live with an arm double its size and wears sweatshirts all the time. Repeating, I know it is the least of our worries and things could get worse.
I am wondering if sleeping with the arm elevated would prevent lymphedema.

SusanAnne

Hi Sue,

The LPN at my surgeon's office gives a class regarding lymphedema to all breast patients. She definitely frowns upon bowling and golf after lymph node disection. I have always been on a league and refused to give it up. What I did was to switch arms! My average went from a 145 to a 100 but I have just as much fun. My team actually GETS the handicap now and we are currently in 4th place! You should try it for fun.
Susan

Hope15

I just took a class at a Gilda's club near my hometown. It was an exercise class specifically for prevention or maintenance of lymphedema. There is a GREAT webside for more information.
It is www.focusonhealing.net We can't be in fear of this, but we really need to be educated. Hope this helps!

SweetSue

Hope15 said:

I just took a class at a Gilda's club near my hometown. It was an exercise class specifically for prevention or maintenance of lymphedema. There is a GREAT webside for more information.
It is www.focusonhealing.net We can't be in fear of this, but we really need to be educated. Hope this helps!

thanks, Hope