The advice here is excellent. It makes me feel less alone hearing from women with lymphedema.
I might add if at all possible, find a PT who is CLT/LANA certified. LANA is the Lymphology Association of America. CLT is a Certified Lymphedema therapist. I first was sent to a PT without lymphedema training. I spent months getting a massage that wasn't helpful. I wasn't fitted properly for compression garments. You can see from the picture how bad the swelling got in my hand. (This picture is from 5 years ago.) Once I got to a LANA certified therapist, I first had to learn "self wrapping" where I had to wrap my hand in gauze bandaging. It was frustrating and demoralizing but it wasn't permanent. As the swelling came under control, I was fitted for a compression glove. I now wear a gauntlet. My fingers are usually normal and my hand looks normal, though I have to wear compression 24/7.
I have lymphedema along my chest wall, on my arm and under my arm as well as my hand. This link might be helpful. https://clt-lana.org/ Also explore LE&RN. That is the Lymphedema Education & Research Network. https://lymphaticnetwork.org/