It never ends. Lymphoedema. Looking for sympathy and practical suggestions

Going through breast cancer treatment Lymphoedema
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On the cancer front everything is positive. I’ve finished all my surgery, the final part being cosmetic balancing this summer, nothing untoward found in the routine analysis of the breast tissue they removed.

Now I’ve got a new ‘friend’. Lymphoedema, in my axilla, breast, arm and hand. It took a while to get an appointment with a lymphoedema nurse and even though I knew what the problem was I think I was hoping she would say something else, but of course she didn’t. She measured, and ordered a sleeve and glove and compression bra. They all arrived yesterday.

I had to take the sleeve off after a couple of hours, it raised a nasty red itchy area in my elbow crease. I do have a sensitive skin, not sure if I’m just sensitive to the material but I’ve rung the nurse and am leaving it off until I hear from her.

The bra isn’t as uncomfortable as I anticipated and where I’ve got the lymphoedema its more comfortable than without. The shoulder straps are quite stiff and are rubbing so I delved into my craft box and found some lovely soft chamois and have cut two shoulder protectors which have helped enormously.

The bigger problem is the size of the bra, I generally wear clothes with a v-neck. The bra has a zip front. It shows under just about everything in my wardrobe.

I’d waited quite some time for my balancing surgery (I was very lopsided having had a therapeutic mammoplasty) and was really looking forward to looking better.

Part of me is really hacked off, but the more practical part of me is trying to think about what to do to hide the bra - short of throwing everything out and going on a shopping spree. I wondered if anyone on here has had the same happen and has any suggestions? (although I do think some therapy might be needed as well)

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Hi Re your lymphoedema, dont worry about going back to your lympo Nurse, they have many options to try and it may take a while. I’ve heard some place a silk liner under their sleeve. But you’d have to discuss with the nurse, and she might give you a slightly bigger sleeve, just to trial. I have to wear compression socks and with allergies fully understand the issues when you have sensitive skin. I bath my legs each night with cold water then dry and apply E45, its the lanolin in E45 which soothes my skin and can soothe many others, so thats another avenue. I’m hoping that i dont need the sleeve as well, so am religiously exerciseing my arm and doing various types of massage, incuding Tellington Touch. Many of the cream prescribed by Nurses have - weak but irritating ingredients. I get my E45 from the GP. It is important to clean off any creams over night through. When i received my free bra following surgery i had to hand back as the zip rubbed and was so uncomfortable. I buy mine from Asda, or Marks and Sparks wi=hich has padding that can be removed, i only need the padding on one side, there is no metal in the marks bra’s designed for those who have gone through breast cancer. Feel free to come back to me if you need, as these blocks don’t allow for a more detailed script, and i apol for any spelling mistakes. Love and Light Moonsox xxx.

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