2 weeks until flying in an airplane

Sharon40
Sharon40 Member Posts: 93
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
2 weeks until I fly in an airplane and I'm getting nervous. I have my compression sleeve and glove, but OMG they are so tight I don't know if I can stand them! I can wear the sleeve, but the glove is AWFUL! I had lymph nodes removed so my radiologist and Physical Therapist want me to wear the stuff on the plane. I have had some swelling, but I think it was more from the sore arm and losing range of motion (at least I hope that was it and not lymphodema). I am trying to do what I can to prevent it, but really don't want to wear this compression stuff!

I really think they are too tight! I end up swelling when I try to wear them. Any suggestions or comments from those who wear one or have flown since surgery would be great!

Comments

  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #2
    Me to
    4 weeks until I fly and I never wear my sleeve. I have not found that I needed to. My ONC said I have to wear it on the plane. I am sore all the time. They said a nerve was damaged in the surgery to remove nodes. I agree with you that I am afraid if I wear this for a few hours on the plane I will be swollen when I take it off.
  • aggiemom51
    aggiemom51 Member Posts: 7
    #3
    Kat11 said:

    Me to
    4 weeks until I fly and I never wear my sleeve. I have not found that I needed to. My ONC said I have to wear it on the plane. I am sore all the time. They said a nerve was damaged in the surgery to remove nodes. I agree with you that I am afraid if I wear this for a few hours on the plane I will be swollen when I take it off.

    Flying in June
    Howdy from Texas,
    I had 27 lymph nodes removed (13 positive)in my right arm September 2009. I went to physical therapist specialized in lymphedema in October who taught me massage techniques and was fitted for a compression sleeve. I wore it off and on until March 2010 when I noticed some swelling in my hand. I'm back at the therapist learning more massage techniques to do at least twice daily and was fitted for a compression glove.

    My advice...wear the arm sleeve and glove on the plane. Do the massage therapy before putting it on and after you take it off. don't carry any purse or bag on the shoulder that had lymph nodes removed. also, eat a very low salt diet and don't let your arm hang when walking...it makes the swelling worse.

    Yes, I'm scared of this lymphedema thing and flying..will be dealing with this for the rest of my life, but at least I'm alive...I don't want to stop living and doing the things I did before BC.

    good luck :)
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294 Member
    #4
    aggiemom51 said:

    Flying in June
    Howdy from Texas,
    I had 27 lymph nodes removed (13 positive)in my right arm September 2009. I went to physical therapist specialized in lymphedema in October who taught me massage techniques and was fitted for a compression sleeve. I wore it off and on until March 2010 when I noticed some swelling in my hand. I'm back at the therapist learning more massage techniques to do at least twice daily and was fitted for a compression glove.

    My advice...wear the arm sleeve and glove on the plane. Do the massage therapy before putting it on and after you take it off. don't carry any purse or bag on the shoulder that had lymph nodes removed. also, eat a very low salt diet and don't let your arm hang when walking...it makes the swelling worse.

    Yes, I'm scared of this lymphedema thing and flying..will be dealing with this for the rest of my life, but at least I'm alive...I don't want to stop living and doing the things I did before BC.

    good luck :)

    Listen to your doctors
    I do have lymphedema and it is very painful. You need to be sure that your sleeve and glove fits well. If it is too tight or short, talk to your physical therapist and exchange for correct size. If your arm already swollen most likely long flight will make it worse if you do not wear sleeve or have your arm wrapped by a professional. As alway in BC treatment it is a personal choice weather or not to wear protective equipment. I guess depending on how many nodes were removed and if underarm has been radiated you will have different outcome.
    Good luck with your decision and your trips
    New Flower
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #5
    New Flower said:

    Listen to your doctors
    I do have lymphedema and it is very painful. You need to be sure that your sleeve and glove fits well. If it is too tight or short, talk to your physical therapist and exchange for correct size. If your arm already swollen most likely long flight will make it worse if you do not wear sleeve or have your arm wrapped by a professional. As alway in BC treatment it is a personal choice weather or not to wear protective equipment. I guess depending on how many nodes were removed and if underarm has been radiated you will have different outcome.
    Good luck with your decision and your trips
    New Flower

    I agree completely....
    Lymphedema is one of those things that, once started, keeps on giving....

    BUT, if it isn't the right fit, go BACK to the doctors and have it changed!!!!!

    I injured my 'other' arm while skating in Holland, and they applied a stretch bandage to keep the elbow in place...but by 9PM, my fingers were blue and swollen, and my whole hand and arm were cold....we had to cut the bandage off to save my hand!!!! I was thankful that it wasn't my 'special' arm!!!!!

    I travel 10 hours by air, 4 times a year, back and forth from Holland. I have considered a sleeve, but have, to this moment, not used one. I only had 5 nodes removed in surgery, so for me, well, it's within the 'acceptable risk', I guess. While flying, tho, I do stretching exercises like they suggest on the plane video, and get up and walk the cabin every half hour or so (unless I'm asleep, which I do well on the plane..lol).

    My advice is to go back to your doctors and tell them the trouble...this sleeve should NOT be hurting!!!!!

    HUgs, Kathi
  • TawnyS
    TawnyS Member Posts: 144 Member
    #6
    I am sitting here right now
    I am sitting here right now with a big hot mess of a bandage on my arm that my therapist put on because I didn't do what I should have. I agree with Kathi, aggi and New Flower. All great advice. I just have a tempermental arm! Another thing that really is a no no is hot water...showers...hot tubs...etc. I think that has a lot to do with my problem. Oh, I also was wearing my sleeve to bed and the therapist said that was a no no, too. I don't know why...maybe someone on here knows. I should ask her today since now I have to see her everyday for 4 weeks! Lymphedema is nothing to fool with. It is painful and a pain in the neck! Definitely if the sleeve is uncomfortable it isn't the right one for you. You should have been given several measurements, a size, a series like I use the 2000 soft series, a compression class, length, and silicone or not. I have the silicone and thought that would bother me, but it doesn't. That sleeve...once on, feels very natural and comfortable. Check out acols.com then click shop. Also I was just told about lymphedivas.com but the sizes there are much broader. I went in a car 2 weeks ago to a higher altitude (from FL it doesn't take much of a drive) and I had problems with that. Good luck with your trip. :)
  • Sharon40
    Sharon40 Member Posts: 93
    #7
    thanks
    Thanks for all the suggestions. I am going to dr tomorrow and Physical Therapist on Wed. I plan to take it to both and see what they think.
    Sharon
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #8
    Sharon40 said:

    thanks
    Thanks for all the suggestions. I am going to dr tomorrow and Physical Therapist on Wed. I plan to take it to both and see what they think.
    Sharon

    Thanks. Mine is the right
    Thanks. Mine is the right fit and I will wear it on the plane, but when do you all wear yours besides on a plane. I have never wore mine.
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294 Member
    #9
    Kat11 said:

    Thanks. Mine is the right
    Thanks. Mine is the right fit and I will wear it on the plane, but when do you all wear yours besides on a plane. I have never wore mine.

    Kat
    I am wearing mine every day. I have another night sleeve for night. It is different from compression day sleeve. You do not need to wear it everyday if you your arm is ok.
    Have a safe trip and good vacation!
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    #10
    Sharon40 said:

    thanks
    Thanks for all the suggestions. I am going to dr tomorrow and Physical Therapist on Wed. I plan to take it to both and see what they think.
    Sharon

    I hope your plane flight is
    I hope your plane flight is alright for you. Good luck with your appointments. Let us know what they say and how you are feeling.
  • Sharon40
    Sharon40 Member Posts: 93
    #11
    ok - I'll just wear the thing!!
    I saw my Dr. yesterday and my phyiscal therapist today and they both said I should just wear the thing to be safe! My PT says my glove is too small, but the arm sleeve is just fine. He gave me a glove that will be ok for the flight, but it really is a little too big. I am going to wear it, but I'm going to take a BIG OLE "RELAX" pill before I get on that plane to help me chill out!! That sleeve and glove drive me crazy!! I know I will just do it, but what a pain!
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    #12
    Sharon40 said:

    ok - I'll just wear the thing!!
    I saw my Dr. yesterday and my phyiscal therapist today and they both said I should just wear the thing to be safe! My PT says my glove is too small, but the arm sleeve is just fine. He gave me a glove that will be ok for the flight, but it really is a little too big. I am going to wear it, but I'm going to take a BIG OLE "RELAX" pill before I get on that plane to help me chill out!! That sleeve and glove drive me crazy!! I know I will just do it, but what a pain!

    I don't have lymphedema,
    I don't have lymphedema, but, it seems so many do. Have a great trip Sharon and a safe flight!
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #13
    Sharon40 said:

    ok - I'll just wear the thing!!
    I saw my Dr. yesterday and my phyiscal therapist today and they both said I should just wear the thing to be safe! My PT says my glove is too small, but the arm sleeve is just fine. He gave me a glove that will be ok for the flight, but it really is a little too big. I am going to wear it, but I'm going to take a BIG OLE "RELAX" pill before I get on that plane to help me chill out!! That sleeve and glove drive me crazy!! I know I will just do it, but what a pain!

    Flying is suffering, anyway!!! ROFL!!!!
    Just keep in mind what you are traveling TO...and don't think about the flight...

    I have, after 15 years of round trips LA to Holland, learned to sleep in my seat...but it took practice...

    Take a book, take a word search pocketbook, take some GOOD food...realize that the seats are uncomfortable (unless you are traveling business class or first class), and that there will be difficult people sharing 'your ride'.

    If you need more time to board, tell the airline ahead of time that you are handicaped...I did during my treatment...it got me settled in my seat before all the rest poured on board. It isn't an embarassment...just remember, most of these people will never fight the fight you have with cancer...

    Have a GREAT trip, take many pics!!!!

    Hugs, Kathi

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