LYMPHOEDEMA AWARENESS WEEK 4TH-10TH MARCH 2018 ~ LYNN
I was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago this week, 6th March 2016. I had chemotherapy, a mastectomy then finally radiotherapy.
I knew nothing of lymphoedema until after my last chemotherapy when my watch became tight on my wrist. As I hadn’t had surgery yet, I thought it was just swelling due to the last chemo as they had trouble finding a vein, but when I asked the Breast Care Nurse she said it looks like lymphoedema, so my last chemotherapy caused this.
It took me a while to come to terms with this, a bit of a double edged sword - compared to breast cancer it’s not life threatening but I have it for ever and nothing can be done. I don’t like the sleeve but it’s a necessity. I was given a glove but don’t wear it as it’s too restrictive and my hand swelling has actually gone down quite a lot.
People don’t actually realise how it is a serious thing to live with and the consequences of not managing it properly. As a work colleague said ‘but you're alright now'. Yes, I am, apart from lymphoedema but I’m here and that’s what matters.
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