1 down 3 to go

Good to Hear from You
Hi, thanks for letting us know how you are. Glad the anti-nausea meds are working. I did have real trouble sleeping due to the steriods, but Xanax and now Ativan took care of it. Then fatigue sets in. Anyway, that is what I experienced. I also am worried about Mimi. She last wrote in on the Friday of her chemo, that was the same as mine, on Jan. 30. I sent her a private message, but no response. I think she has in the past had a hard time with Nulasta, so I was wondering if that is it. Am worried about her.

rjjj said:

Good morning all
So glad all is going ok Nancy. Each treatmemnt brings us closer to the end of this awful journey. I have been doing quite well with labs etc. and have not had to have the Nulasta yet (knock on wood) but a new problem arose with lymphodemia. I went over to work for just 3 hours yesterday and about a hour into it my hand/arm started looking like puff the marshmallow man. Co-workers were concerned and i went home. I sat with my arm elevated on pillows and an ice pack on it. It hurts to much to put the arm sleeve on and i am going to call the DR. this morning. I wonder they took my drainage tubes out quite early and i went back once to get it drained. I can feel a sack of fluid under my arm, Wish they could drain it again. It is very uncomfortable.
I also would like to here from MiMi and miss her on the boards. I look forward to my pink sisters posts and when one is missing we are all concerned.
Wish me luck on my big fat puffy hand and thank you all for being here to voice my concerns and get valuable answers from,
God Bless
Jackie

Puffy Hand and Arm
Jackie, I am so sorry to hear about your hand and arm. I don't know much about lymphodema, but I have seen several postings. I know our sisters will have a lot of helpful information and advice. Please let us know how you are doing. Hopefully, we will hear from Mimi soon also.

It is great that you have not had to get the Nulasta shot! Count yourself very lucky there. I have to take it every time, so far. Not pleasant, but worth it to get the chemo I need.

My sister Jackie is not coming until next week-her grandchildren developed colds this weekend, and she did not want to bring any germs my way. Joe and I were disappointed, but she will actually be able to stay longer.

By the way, I may not have told you how beautiful you look with your smile and Tootsie. And your wig suits you so well. Mine gives me headaches; I guess I got the wrong size.

Stormy weather expected here in the Ozarks today. Not severe, so I am looking forward just to some thunder and rain. I like gentle storms. I hope all my sisters in pink have a good day, weather and otherwise.

Jan_M said:

rjjj
I hope you contacted your Dr. My arm and neck swelled suddenly on a Sunday. Turned out it was a blood clot in my port. I had to have my port removed and replaced.

Let us know how you are doing. Good Luck

Thanks for the warning Jan
I did call my DR. but couldn't get in until tomorrow. They told me just to keep it elevated and iced. I was a little worried after i read your post of the blood clot in the port so i went to the chemo NR. to access me she said yes it does happen but that my neck would be swollen also and it would be on the same side as the port. I am swelled on the Left side ( the side of my masectomy) she also did my lab work and told me to stop back in tommorow after i see my surgeon and physical therapy to see if i can still have my chemo treatment next week. I hope so. She said they have a pump that helps to suction excess fluid out? anyone heard of that? The swelling has gone down a little but i know as soon as i don't have it elevated it will swell again. I have a sleeve for lymphodemia but it just pushes the fluid down to my hand so don't know about that but it is scary thinking about blood clots and such. I do know that lymphodemia can strike at any time. I will know more tomorrow and let you know, Thanks for the advice it is always better to be safe.
God Bless
Jackie

rjjj said:

Thanks for the warning Jan
I did call my DR. but couldn't get in until tomorrow. They told me just to keep it elevated and iced. I was a little worried after i read your post of the blood clot in the port so i went to the chemo NR. to access me she said yes it does happen but that my neck would be swollen also and it would be on the same side as the port. I am swelled on the Left side ( the side of my masectomy) she also did my lab work and told me to stop back in tommorow after i see my surgeon and physical therapy to see if i can still have my chemo treatment next week. I hope so. She said they have a pump that helps to suction excess fluid out? anyone heard of that? The swelling has gone down a little but i know as soon as i don't have it elevated it will swell again. I have a sleeve for lymphodemia but it just pushes the fluid down to my hand so don't know about that but it is scary thinking about blood clots and such. I do know that lymphodemia can strike at any time. I will know more tomorrow and let you know, Thanks for the advice it is always better to be safe.
God Bless
Jackie

Massage
Jackie,
I am so sorry you are having swelling and pain. I don't know anything about a pump to drain extra fluid out. Cancer is the gift that keeps on giving. I don't know about you, but I am SICK of medical appointments!


Introduction to lymphedema came later in my cancer career, as I was having rads. Even then it seemed to me like too much information. Once you are diagnosed with cancer there's so much to learn and you have to learn it fast!

Is your physical therapist a lymphedema specialist? He/she can show you how to massage your left side to help move the lymph fluid from your arm to where it is supposed to go. My PT showed me 10 steps (and some special ones, because of my port). I had a complete lecture on the lymphatic system first - it helped make the massage steps make sense. You can manually move the fluid. Step 1 is either neck exercises (because of having a port)or a "pump" action above the collar bones, once the port is removed. (That day will come!) Step 2 is 10 deep diaphragmatic breaths, blowing out like you're blowing out 50 candles. Step 3...well this isn't going to make a whole lot of sense to you without diagrams, etc. She also showed me exercises to help keep the circulation going.

I am hoping that you have a good night's rest tonight and that all goes well tomorrow.

Love, Lynn