help with swelling

1 minute read time.

It's now been awhile since I had my radio and I feel great again.  For the last 2 days I have completely gutted my back garden - and I mean gutted!!!  There were loads of trees and Ivy everywhere and not enough grass or flowers, so it's all gone.  Took 3 cars, 4 trips to the tip to get rid of the rubbish - that's how much has gone!!!  I just feel like I have my mojo back again.

But....  My left hand is really swollen - I've had to take my wedding ring off and my watch and it looks awful.  I've had surgery on my left side - 12 lymph nodes removed from my armpit etc.  So can anyone give me some advise?  Is this just because I've over done it in the last 2 days - or should I be worried about, whatever lymph nodes I have left on that side, not draining properly, or something??? It doesn't hurt but I'm due to have more surgery on my other side (kidney area) on Friday - don't want anything to stop that.  How many lymph nodes do you have under your arm?  What can I do to reduce the swelling?

Any help would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks, Charley xx

Anonymous
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Sounds to me like you have lymphoedema Charley, and I'm surprised after having that number of nodes removed you haven't been referred to a lymphodema specialist.  I shouldn't think that it will prevent them doing the surgery, but you really should be having it seen to, there are a lot of things you should and shouldn't be doing to prevent the build up of fluid and possible quite serious side effects.

    Have a look at this http://www.uklymph.com/ also there's a lymphoedema group on this site too.

    Marsha xx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Thanks Marsha,

    I think because I have moved from the Marsden to Birmigham for my radiotherapy and kidney op, I may have been lost in the system on being referred to a lymphodema specialist.

    I have a pre-op assessment on Wednesday so I'll talk to them then about it.

    Thanks again,

    Charley xx