Had Physical Therapy today. Making good progress.  I’m almost there! But I had asked the burning question: “What ARE my odds of actually getting lymphedema.” This is something I’ve been kind of scared of since before surgery. According to my physical therapist she didn’t want to say my chances were good or bad. It’s all dependent on making sure I keep my left arm from getting injured or not keeping my skin healthy. She explained to me that we typically have more lymph nodes than we need.  Because I had so many removed I may have just enough or less than I need. This makes the others work harder and sometimes lymph nodes that never had to do anything now had to work for a living. The way it works is if I have a hang nail or other injury on my left arm or hand the white blood cells attack to make things better first. Then after they die off the residual left over from the injury is then circulated through the lymph system to clean out. Because I have had so many lymph nodes removed, it is important to not put extra strain on them.  If there is too much stress it backs up the lymph system and causes it to back up.  This causes the swelling and what is called lymphedema.

I asked about flying and if that is going to be an issue.  She told me that in the past it was a concern because things were not quite understood.  People would get the compression sleeve for the flight to prevent any issues but in reality they were finding they were causing the problems. So she told me if I was going to fly to just make sure to not eat anything overly salty and make sure I keep moving my arm to keep the flow going.

I never really thought about the skin factor.  She said it was important to make sure that I keep my skin from getting overly dry.  This can cause the lymph system to work harder. Who knew!  I also asked what I can do to help the old lymphatic system out. And she said the obvious and previously stated injury free and skin care, but also to massage and rub the arm and chest towards the heart. This helps keep everything moving.

And that is yet one more thing I learned today….whoo hoo!