LYMPHEDEMA IS NOT JUST A LITTLE SWELLING

Most of you are familiar with this little box, right?? Those of us who are on Facebook see it every time we log on to our accounts. 

              

One of my morning rituals is to sit down with a cup of coffee and log on to FB to see what my friends are up to. I typically scroll past the "What's on your mind?" box since I'm generally not coherent enough to share my thoughts until after my second cup of coffee. This morning, however, I just sat glaring at it while thinking.......

"Want to know what's on my mind, Facebook? Lymphedema SUCKS! That's what's on my mind! Thanks for asking!"

I didn't share that thought on FB, but I decided to share it here because I'm really frustrated. I did warn Y'all that I'm prone to pitching the occasional hissy fit, and I am definitely in hissy fit pitching mode today!

One of the things I find so frustrating about having lymphedema is that sometimes, after working diligently to get it under control by doing everything I've been taught to do, I have a significant flare-up for no apparent reason...WTH??

And that's what I'm dealing with right now. I've been doing my exercises, wearing my compression sleeve, and doing everything else daily(ish) that my OT wants me to do for my lymphedema, but here I am with a big fat Popeye arm this morning.

Maybe I was hesitant to mention my lymphedema flare-up on FB this morning because the last time I spoke about it there, someone asked, "Isn't lymphedema just a little swelling? Like when you consume too much salt??"  I felt like SCREAMING!! NOOO, it is NOT JUST A LITTLE SWELLING!

In all fairness, most people not affected directly by lymphedema probably don't know much about it. I had no clue what it was myself until my surgeon talked to me about it before my mastectomy. 

WHAT IS LYMPHEDEMA

Here is a brief description of lymphedema from a pamphlet I was given after my mastectomy--

Lymphedema is tissue swelling caused by an accumulation of protein-rich fluid usually drained through the body's lymphatic system. It most commonly affects the arms and legs but can also occur in the chest wall, abdomen, neck, and genitals. 

Lymph nodes are an essential part of your lymphatic system. Lymphedema can be caused by cancer treatments that remove or damage your lymph nodes. In addition, any type of problem that blocks the drainage of lymph fluid can cause lymphedema. 

Severe cases of lymphedema can affect the ability to move the affected limb, increase the risks of skin infections and sepsis, and can lead to skin changes and breakdown. 

TWO TYPES OF LYMPHEDEMA

Primary Lymphedema. Primary lymphedema is a rare disease that occurs when the lymphatic system has not developed adequately or is not functioning as it should from birth due to a genetic condition. It is called primary because the impairment is not due to a secondary cause like illness or injury. 

Secondary Lymphedema. Secondary lymphedema can happen if the lymphatic system is damaged from surgery, trauma, or radiation therapy. It is most common in people who have had breast cancer treatment, but not everyone who has breast cancer treatment gets lymphedema. 

EARLY DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Unfortunately, I was one of the ones who developed lymphedema shortly after my radiation therapy.

My surgeon had warned me that I was at high risk for developing lymphedema since he would be removing several lymph nodes (it turned out to be 11) and because I would undergo 33 radiation treatments.  

I am so thankful that my incredible surgeon, Dr. Quill, discussed the importance of watching for any signs or symptoms of lymphedema. He explained that diagnosing and treating mild and early-onset lymphedema is critical for halting the progression of this lifelong and often debilitating condition. 

Dr. Quill said that even the best oncologists rarely discuss lymphedema with their patients. Instead, they treat your cancer but don't address other aspects of the disease that can impact your life afterward, both emotionally and physically.

SYMPTOMS OF LYMPHEDEMA  INCLUDE:

• Swelling
• Heaviness and tightness, which might include tighter-fitting jewelry
• Small blisters that leak clear fluid
• Dull aching or other pain
• Skin thickening or hardening, which can sometimes look like an orange peel

Symptoms may occur gradually over weeks, months, or even years after cancer treatment. 

HEALTH COMPLICATIONS OF LYMPHEDEMA

Skin infections (cellulitis). The trapped fluid provides fertile ground for germs. The slightest injury to the arm can be an entry point for infection. The affected skin can appear red and swollen and is usually painful and warm to the touch. Your doctor will most likely want to prescribe antibiotics to keep on hand so you can start taking them immediately.

Sepsis. Untreated cellulitis can spread into the bloodstream and trigger sepsis, a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the body's response to an infection damages its own tissues. Sepsis requires immediate emergency medical treatment.

Skin changes. In people with severe lymphedema, the skin of the affected limb can thicken and harden to resemble an elephant's skin.

Cancer. A rare form of soft tissue cancer can result from the most severe cases of untreated lymphedema.

So, NO, lymphedema isn't "just a little swelling." 

And yes, lymphedema is a chronic disease, and sometimes flare-ups seem to come out of nowhere. However, with proper education, prevention practices, and management techniques, we can often prevent these flare-ups or at least manage the symptoms and get the swelling under control. 

I'm not an expert on lymphedema by any means, but I have learned a lot about it through online research, from my lymphedema therapist, and, of course, through my own experience. 

I will discuss some suggested treatments and management techniques in an upcoming post. I'll also share some things that have helped me with my journey with lymphedema. And hopefully, I will have good news about this most recent flare-up of mine! 

If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

PS. As I struggled with writing this post and figuring out how to explain lymphedema, I decided to take a break and check my email. One of the first emails that popped up was from a place where I purchased some of my compression garments. It was a reminder that today is March 1st and that March is Lymphedema Awareness Month.

THIS AIN'T MY FIRST PINK RODEO

Hey, Y'all! My name is Pam, and this is my new blog. 

Some of you know that I have had other blogs over the years.

There was the blog about running, and more specifically....running marathons. Yes, I used to run marathons! Not very fast, but I ran them!

In October 2016, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I then created another blog about my daily struggles with chemo, surgery, radiation, and chemo brain. 

Next was a blog that was filled with a lot of random stuff. But, unfortunately, that blog died due to neglect. 

I've tried to get back to blogging several times but struggled because I wasn't sure I had anything worthwhile to write about. Covid? The Pandemic? I wasn't going anywhere or doing anything. I could have blogged about all my trips to the kitchen for comfort food!

2020

As if 2020 was not stressful enough!?? Seriously?? Are a pandemic and the ensuing quarantine not enough?? Let's just throw a cancer recurrence diagnosis into the mix!

I received my second diagnosis in early November 2020. After discussing my new treatment plan with my Oncologist, I was told that his office would set up an appointment for my husband and me to attend a Cancer Orientation class with an oncology nurse. A WHAT?? C'mon, Doc! Do you really think I need a lesson? 

The nurse was great, but this was old news, other than what side effects I could expect from my new meds. I just felt like screaming....."EXCUSE ME...THIS AIN'T MY FIRST PINK RODEO!" 

ON THE BLOG AGAIN?

So why go back to blogging now?? Yes, I do have more to write about these days. But do I have anything worthwhile to offer in the blogging world? I'm certainly not a real writer. My grammar leaves a lot to be desired, and now that I suffer from permanent chemo brain, I really struggle with even putting a sentence together. 

And yet, I seriously feel the need to blog. Maybe because it's a bit therapeutic? Also, two years after my second cancer diagnosis, I think I could share some things that might help someone else's breast cancer journey. 

NEW BLOG?

After contemplating whether I should resurrect my previous blog, I decided to create a new one. Yes, I thought a new one was the way to go. 

But, hmmm....what should I call this new blog?? 

Although I plan to write about various topics, I will definitely be sharing my experiences with cancer the second time around. 

So, even though I don't recall ever attending an actual rodeo, I decided that the only possible name for my new blog would be--

THIS AIN'T MY FIRST PINK RODEO

Although this new blog is a work in progress, I appreciate you stopping by.

I'll be back soon with my first actual post!