lymph node removal and lymphedema

I want to thank ALL who have shared their stories. My surgery is in 2 days and I will admit, it isn't the surgery itself that scares me, it is the lymphedema after that does. I am/was -before the cancer has just knocked the wind out of me - a VERY active person. I picture myself so happy and pain and cancer free on the other side of this. I have been so miserable for so long. (I was treated for stress for YEARS before someone started checking for cancer but that is a story for another day!) I so worry about not having my life back. Which I know I should be worrying more about not having a life, as my husband tells me. He thinks I am silly, that if it happens, it is just a side effect and that is worth it if he has me. I agree. But I just can't imagine going through the rest of my life on the side lines. I love to hike, and bike, and horseback ride. I love to garden, and farm and go places with my kids. All of these things I did before the cancer. I HATE not being able to do any of them now. My kids hate it too. They miss their mom. I hope knowing all of this ahead of time, will help me prevent it (as the dr still won't talk about it at my pre op appt!) I can't thank you all enough.

Amelia

Amelia - Not everyone who has lymph node removal gets lymphedema; I hope you don't.

Even if you do, it won't limit your activity very much at all unless you enjoy being in the sauna or hot tub. I still walk/hike for exercise up and down hills almost daily, I golf a few times a week, I kayak and swim when I can in the summer and snowshoe daily in the wintertime. The only difference in my activity is that when I'm weeding in the garden, I make sure I'm not sitting on my legs like I used to do. Otherwise, activity-wise, lymphedema hasn't changed a thing. It's important to wear the compression garment when exercising, but if we do that, we can do anything!

Here's to quick healing after your surgery and no lymphedema! Stay as active as you can after you allow yourself some time to heal. Best to you!

I agree with Ann. I am very active and still enjoy all the things I did before getting this. Some days I have to cut back and there is some modification to some of my exercises, ex. the squats with weights. I hope you have a good recovery, remember to let everything heal before you go "gun ho". I will be thinking of you on the 14th.

Oh my gosh, you both made me feel WAAAAAY better about it! Thank you so much!!!!

Hugs!

Amelia

Amelia, you will only be limited by that which you allow yourself to be. *if* you develop LE you will find ways to work your life with it. Doing the massage techniques and wearing the compression sock don't take much time at all. The sock can be a bit of an odd fashion statement LOL but hey, you just survived cancer!!

To be honest, I can't think of one activity I don't do because of it.

Thank you sisters, for just like Amelia, the biggest fear I had is that I couldn't be as active as I used to be (walking, biking, gardening, yoga, things like that). Good to read that LE won't be a stand-in-the-way for that!

Amelia - It's the 14th and you're probably in the hospital right now. Thinking of you...and hoping for the very best outcome for you!