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Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC): Help for Lymphedema and Cellulitis
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Feb 17, 2020 | Replies (9)Comment receiving replies
Always appreciate your responses, Trixie, and this is no exception. Smiles to you and thanks for your suggestions.
Just learned yesterday from friend's hubby that the cancer doc she is seeing is an oncologist but not the surgeon. She'd never mentioned that a diff doc did the surgery so I'd thought the same doc did both. Had begun to think that it was because her doc was a surgeon that he refused her referrals to p.t. or pain mgt. doc. Troubling behavior at best.
The second pt therapist told her to get a "sports bra" but gave no specifics so they bought one yesterday at an athletic store but doubt it is appropriate...tag is still on...and I agree that hers needs to be fitted by someone who knows. If you are in the U.S., can you share a brand name and who you saw for an appropriate fitting?
Doing a lot of research and just yesterday found a U.K. site that shows patient "how to" for manual massage and also exercises for upper arm with lymphedema. I agree that she needs professional guidance with any pt massage or self- massage/exercise and have started compiling a list of questions for her next doc visit. Thanks again,Trixie.
Replies to "Always appreciate your responses, Trixie, and this is no exception. Smiles to you and thanks for..."
@fiesty76 -- one other suggetion, Fiesty, for your friend. She needs to be very careful about getting scratches or scrapes on her affected side. When I do my gardening or if I know I'll be hiking in a brushy area, I wear a long arm protection sleeve made with Kevlar. She may also find them at a gardening shop. Even something simple as a bug bite/mosquito bite can cause a person sensitive to lymphedema problems. So since she has already had cellulitis, best to err on the side of caution -- not to be constantly afraid of hit happening, but being vigilant. All the best.
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@fiesty76
I'm glad you found some help in my first reply. I tried a sports bra, but they really don't help with the pain of lymphedema. The first compression bras I was given were by "ABC," but since I am very short-waisted the bottom band kept flipping up causing pain. I've since been fitted with bras and camisoles by WearEase. They are made with microfiber and are so very comfortable. Another reason for your friend to be seen by a professional is that I have also been given a "swell spot." These items are stitched so as to help the lymphedema move out - they are used underneath the bra. I had partial mastectomies on my second surgery. My health care company provides me 2 mastectomy compression bras per year and 2 compression camisoles every 6 months. I have seen the camisoles (which I absolutely love) online for about $65 US. When I wear the compression camisoles, I don't wear the swell spot - it's a cheat, I know, but my lymphedema of my breast is getting better and I actually feel like a real woman when I wear them! Looking forward to hearing a good outcome for your friend.