June 1, 2007

  • Lyphedema

    So, the swelling in my left leg...

    My left leg has now gone from a size 6 to a size 10 while my right leg has shrunk from a size 6 to a size 2.  So, I should technically be a size 2 all over.  However, my mom had to bring me size 10 jeans, her "fat" jeans, in order for me to have jeans that fit.  Where my leg used to reduce in size if I rested, put it up, or wore my compression stocking, now, it doesn't.  It just stays large.  Sometimes it will go from feeling tight like a sausage to being a bit softer, but it is large.

    Back in January, I had a blood clot in that leg.  Last week, we did an ultrasound to see if it had returned.  It hasn't.  And yet the leg keeps on swelling.

    There is cancer in the lymph nodes at the top of the leg.  Because of that, the nodes aren't working.  They're not doing what they're supposed to do.  Because the swelling is being caused by lymph, they call it lymphedema.

    Fortunately for me, the cancer center that I go to has a Lymphedema specialist.  I get to go see her next Friday, and we're going to get a treatment plan written, organized, and started.  And hopefully, the swelling will finally go down.

    And the pain will go away.

    I have been having severe pain in that leg for months.  Some of that is attributable to the cancer in the bone of the hip, part of it is from the cancer in the muscle of the abdomen, but part of it is most definitely attributable to the swelling.  I'm anxious to see if a reduction in the swelling will lead to a reduction in the pain. 

    The link that I gave you above gives a lot of information about Lymphedema if you're interested.  I'm going to see the nurse next Friday at 10:00.  Yes, that's the day after chemo.  However, it is my "best day" as they pump me full of steriods ON chemo day. 

    In the meantime, I am not to wear my compression stockings anymore since they're acting like a tournequet around the top of my leg.  YAY!  I hated those things. 

    So... that's the story of Lymphedema.  Another crappy side effect of cancer and cancer treatment.

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