Lymphedema and My Hands

Mary Blocksma Been Through It A year and a half ago, I found a lump in my breast. The discovery was... Send Message Subscribe: Mary Blocksma

Monday, March 05, 2007
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Something I’ve dreaded has happened to me at last—lymphedema, that swelled-up hand and arm that can happen on the surgery side any time after someone’s had lymph nodes removed from under her arm. My doctors pretty much dismissed my lymphedema concerns two and a half years ago, when I had my bre...

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Why are we so scared when something goes wrong with our hands?
Anonymous
Monday, March 05, 2007 at 11:23 AM
A few years ago, I also developed tendonitis (in my right hand), and it was one of the scariest experiences I have been through. Not only did it hurt for days, it was impossible to dress myself... hard to button things, open food storage containers, etc. I continuously had to ask people for help, which I am bad at. I can't even imagine how much scarier it would be with lymphedema on top of all of that. Good luck!

Hand injuries
Anonymous
Monday, March 05, 2007 at 02:06 PM
Dear Anonymous,

Thank you for your sympathy about my hands. The tendonitis began about ten years ago when I put together a futon frame with a hand screwdriver. I could not turn on a light switch the next day and was not able to work for almost a year. You're right— it is very, very scary. I hope it doesn't happen to you again. Rest, ice, ibuprofen, and a lot of patience, and so far, I've always recovered. Good luck to you. Mary B

lymphedema
PJ Hamel
Monday, March 05, 2007 at 06:54 PM
Mary, hang in there. At least you're getting it treated quickly, that's a help. Do what they say; do the exercises; try to keep it elevated (above heart level), for 45 minutes or so at a time - did they tell you that? I have confidence it'll all work out well for you. I went through the entire expensive rigmarole 2 years after surgery - and I've been "lymph-free" for 2 years now. Look for and expect a good outcome, and you're much more likely to get one! - PJH

lymphedema
Mary B
Monday, March 05, 2007 at 10:21 PM
Thanks PJ. How encouraging. And no one did tell me about the 45-minute handraise, not even at physical therapy! mb

lump on my palm
Anonymous
Friday, April 13, 2007 at 10:23 AM
i have raised white lumps on the left palm

palm lumps?
Mary Blocksma
Sunday, April 15, 2007 at 03:32 PM
For anonymous with white lumps on her palm, please see your doctor about this! I am not a health professional and I have no idea what could cause something like that. It must be worrying you, so do take care of yourself.