Swollen feet and ankles

Hello SpiritintheSky .

Sorry to hear of your husband's problems. The chemotherapy can produce side effects months after completing the course. One possible one is lymphodoema which is a build up of fluid, usually in the lower limbs. Initially it is advisable to try and keep exercising but also to keep the legs elevated when sitting down. It does need reporting to the doctor who will possibly prescribe diuretics to try and get rid of the excess fluid. Beyond this there are therapies such as lymphatic drainage or compression stockings which might help but your husband would be referred to a specialist if necessary. You should also gently moisturise the skin. It does normally go down but it can flare up at times.

Hi SpiritintheSky, sadly your husbands side effect is not uncommon, just to add to Alwayshope's reply, gently massaging hubby's feet for a couple of minutes each, no more that 2 or 3 times a day can help, while you moisturise is perfect, best wishes.

Eddie xx

I agree Eddie with the massage but it has to be gentle. My hubby has it in one leg but the first place his osteopath starts with is his upper body lymph nodes and gradually works down to the groin area ones to stimulate drainage in the body. As you say it is fairly common with chemotherapy, but also if you have had radiotherapy to the pelvic lymph nodes.

Another tip is to avoid salt and alcohol and drink plenty of water - I know it sounds counter intuitive when you have a build up of fluid but it does help to flush things out. I know you also like your bananas Eddie and they are good for maintaining electrolyte balance amongst other things.

I hope you get to have a cuddle with Mandy soon. 

Morning AH, I agree 100% it must be a gentle massage,  there is a  nurse at my hospice who specialises in oedema and she has helped me with mine, which was minor,  doing pretty much everything you have just mentioned, a little word regarding bananas slightly under ripe are best, hope to see Mandy and mum later,  I have been making a cot for Mandy, I am a carpenter,  but some arsehole  smashed into my parked car and a couple of others and it won't fit in the courtesy car,. How are you both doing, are you both still in the pool all day, or has it cooled down enough to  come out.  Best wishes to you both 

Eddie xx 

Hi AH, I maybe should have mentioned I have neuropathy, feet only,  and together with the oedema walking could be difficult at times otherwise I would probably have self treated my oedema 

How lovely making the cot. My husband re trained as a carpenter joiner after leaving the Navy so is also pretty handy with his hands, or was until the arthritis limited him. His dream was to convert a barn to his specification, rather than for others, and we achieved that when we initially retired to Cornwall, doing most of the work ourselves. He then did all the internal woodwork, kitchens, fitted wardrobes for our bungalow and apartments when we moved out to Greece - it was good therapy for him mentally for the PTSD but also physically, albeit slowly because of the mobility issues following his stroke. It has also taught me a lot as I had to dig in and act as his gofer.

I bet you were fuming with the damage to the car - I certainly was when someone put a rubber mark along the whole length of the car a few weeks ago which took me hours to get off.

It's cooled down a little but the best time for a swim is in the early evening which cools the core, then a quick shower which sets us up nicely for the evening activities or just a lazy evening in.

Take care.

Hi AH your his apprentice not his gofer, I can understand hubby getting lost woodworking, I loved my carpentry years, even packed in Uni when offered my perfect job, we used to make summer houses and conservatories, I still do a little now and again and have been helping my daughter restore a beautiful barn on the farm, what would have been a 4-6 week job 10 years ago took 2 years, but it was fun and it looks fab so much so we are having our wedding reception in it and maybe even get married in it too. the arsehole who hit mine and two others cars was speeding and was caught It's a 20 mph zone and crash scene investigator puts his speed between 45-50 mph so hopefully he'll get more than a fine, I had a courtesy car delivered in 2 hours so no problems, was a little miffed but should get my car back in a week, It' good to hear the weathers cooling a little I imagine the water in the pool was getting too warm, if there is a serious drought where you live could they take your pool water?, enjoy your evening activities, Sheila and I enjoy them as well, sometimes at other times as well, best wishes to you both.

Eddie xx