Lymphoedema following surgery.

Hi - if you are still awaiting biopsy results then I guess it is quite soon after the surgery.  In which case I imagine this could well be post op swelling rather than lymphoedema.  Keep an eye on it and speak to your clinical team if it does not reduce.

Thanks Peter.  I guess that depends on how you define "quite soon", it's now six and half weeks since the surgery .  Most healing seems quite complete, apart from the tracheostomy site where the tube was not removed until mid February.  

I have lymphoedema after having both my main lymph glands in my neck blitzed with radiotherapy its like a sack hanging under my chin and looks bloody awful .I have an appointment with a specialist nurse in April so this maybe worth looking into .I have tried some of the massage techniques on youtube but its no better .

Thanks Holidays.  I have been looking for specialist nurses, but the only ones in my area are focused solely on breast cancer patients.  There is a special clinic for lymphoedema in an adjacent health trust area, but they only accept referrals from GPs or consultants in their own area.  Shockingly, head and neck cancer has the highest incidence of lymphoedema, of all the cancers. 

Hi Momist. Have a look at this thread. There are links to self massage in the second page. 

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/head-neck-cancer-forum/f/new-here-say-hello/297467/lymphoedema

Momist said:

I guess that depends on how you define "quite soon", it's now six and half weeks since the surgery .  Most healing seems quite complete,

Yes bone biopsies take a long time  I think probably it’s safe for your wife to try some massage  

Thank you so much Dani.  That is exactly what I came here looking for.  Now that I'm here, I will be staying around for the duration of my wife's treatment, and maybe much longer.  

I would agree with you.  And as Dani says bone biopsies take a long while and can't be rushed.  If you look at my profile there are links to the local hospital approved massage techniques and support gaiter.  Hope there is some improvement.

Momist said:

Now that I'm here, I will be staying around for the duration of my wife's treatment, and maybe much longer.  

You are very welcome

Good to see the support.  I’m sure you’ll be ace. Don't forget no question is daft and there is always an answer somewhere. 

Hi there, I was still quite swollen at six weeks after jaw surgery, in fact I was still pretty sore!  If face and neck have healed well (and sounds like they have-brilliant) at six weeks very gentle massage, if not causing any pain, I was told would be okay.  All best wishes to your wife for quick recovery.

June