Hi all,
A question for those of you who’ve had node removal and an mx on your dominant side - did you change how you used that arm in order to try and reduce the risk and if so how did you manage with that? Are you at a higher risk of LD if it’s your dominant side that is affected?
I’m right-handed and had right ANC/MX and currently waiting to see if what’s initially been dx as tendonitis is actually LD. I am finding it really hard to remind myself regarding lifting etc as even though it’s now 8 months since surgery, I still tend to forget that I need to be extra careful now. It’s just so automatic to pick up/do stuff with my right arm! 
At the moment I am so weak after all the chemo complications that I am still using a walking stick for longer distances and I have to say that it’s rather comical watching me try to juggle carrying a shoulder handbag and using a stick on my left side! 
I admit that I’m more than a bit paranoid about it all at the moment because of the tendonitis but would be interested in anyone else’s experiences of dealing with the same dominant-side situation.
Nymeria x
Yes, I now do a lot left handed. I iron with my left hand, carry anything heavy with that hand, open heavy fire doors. I haven’t had to think about it for a long time now (over four years post mx) and do these things automatically.
I developed mild lymphoedema in my hand during rads, and was followed up by the lymphoedema clinic for about three years, discharged now. Towards the end of that period, when they measured my arms, my left arm was bigger than my right, which I assume is because I now do all heavy work with that arm.
Thank you for that RR. I am slowly starting to train myself to use my left side as much as possible now. I hadn’t realised just how much we do automatically so it’s definitely proving to be something of a challenge!
Thankfully with OH being retired I’m not faced with mountains of ironing and he’s been really good at doing all the things I can’t manage. In fact it’s probably fair to say that he’s more ‘domesticated’ than me over most things which is just as well otherwise the house would have been a tip all these months!
Amazing all the things it affects isn’t it?
Nymeria x
It’s also useful for getting out of mowing the lawn…
LOL - luckily we don’t have one!