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Living with Lymphoedema 2
By fr
I had put the idea of Lymphoedema to the back of my mind by
2006 2 yrs after dx. I discovered my arm was swollen when i tried to
put on a blouse I had worn the previous week to work and the sleeve
wouldn't fit.
I was seeing my BC surgeon the following week so I mentioned it to him
and he referred me to the Lymphoedema clinic which was based at the
local hospice.
There were 2 full time nurses there and I was measured and fitted with
an arm sleeve and given exercises to do. I was told that mine was quite
mild as I had caught it early and that I needed to wear my sleeve most
of the time to keep it like that.
I wore the sleeve every day but found it seemed to be getting worse and
ended up with a bigger size. My nurse believed that my job (working in
an office using a computer) was aggravating the condition. Apparently
not everyone has a problem with computers and because my problem is
mainly the area above the elbow it is easily aggravated.
I ended up applying for ill health retirement and the clinic did a
measurement of my arm at 08.00am on my way to work and then at the end
of the day and did me a letter confirming that if I continued in my job
my condition would continue to worsen.
I retired in Oct 2007 and hoped that I woud not need to wear the sleeve
every day. However it is incredibley difficult to manage without
aggravating my arm.
My list :
- I wear a compression sleeve everyday
- I no longer have job
- I have to choose sleeves on garments carefully
- I have never sunbathed or sat in the sun but do suffer in warm weather as the arm swells up
- I no longer knit or sew
- I can't carry much shopping because i have to use my left arm which has been weak since I broke the elbow at age 5
- I rarely do a long post on here because typing is a problem. I do try with just the left hand but it takes forever.
- simple things like slicing things peeling and cutting veg or stirring and mixing cause problems which makes meal preparation a problem.
- I keep trying to teach myself to use my left arm but it isn't strong enough to use the vacuum cleaner and while i dust and clean with it
- I often have accidents because it feels so awkward.
- I have had my hair cut short in a wash and leave style because i can't manage blow drying and styling anymore.
- I have to be careful of cuts or of knocking my arm
I am lucky that there is a clinic locally but I am aware that this is
not the case everywhere. I do think awareness needs to be raised so
that sufferers can get the help they need.