Lymphedema Turning “I can’t” into “I can”
Living
with Lymphedema - Turning "I can't" into "I can"
By ABCN Editorial
Jul 7, 2003
----------------------------------------------------------
Approximately
24% of women who have had breast cancer surgery will develop lymphedema
at some
point in their life. When you have lymph node removal after breast
cancer
surgery, it’s easy to start thinking “I can’t” more than “I can”
when considering how you will use that hand and arm on your affected
side.
The very thought of these restrictions can be overwhelming
and a
nuisance. Unfortunately,
we have to
live with the threat of lymphedema or the condition of it,
all our lives.
So let’s turn all those “I can’t” remarks into “I can”.
Here are a number of scenarios of how you can turn a
negative into a
positive:
Positive: “I can” work in my garden. I will just need to wear a pair of protective gloves when I do and wash my hands when I finish gardening.
----------------
Negative:
I can’t carry my luggage when I travel.
Positive: “I can” purchase luggage on wheels when I travel, to make it easier for me. I can also slowly work up muscle strengthening on my affected side, so that I can carry my luggage for short intervals.
----------------
Negative:
I can’t lift weights any more.
Positive: “I can” lift weights again, as long as I slowly build up the muscles in my affected arm. I may have to lift lighter weights than before, but I can still weight lift.
----------------
Negative:
I can’t take airline trips.
My
arm may develop lymphedema or it may cause further swelling.
Positive: "I can" take airline trips. I just need to wear a compression garment when I am flying and do some exercises afterwards. If I notice signs of lymphedema I can get help for it.
----------------
Negative:
I
can’t even carry my groceries or packages home.
Positive: “I can” carry groceries or packages home if I build up the muscles in my arm for everyday use, carry lighter bags, and put my packages down every so often to rest my hand/arm. I can also use a knapsack or cart.
----------------
Negative:
I can’t safely take things out of the oven for fear of
burning my
affected arm.
Positive: “I can” safely take things out of the oven. I just need to use a pair of long well-insulated oven mitts.
----------------
Negative:
I
can’t get a blood pressure test on my arm.
Positive: “I can” get a blood pressure test, but just not on my affected arm.
----------------
Negative:
I can’t get any treatment in my area for lymphedema.
Positive: “I can” get treatment in my province. The quality of my life is important and I will do what I can to ensure that I go somewhere to get treatment early.
----------------
Negative:
I can’t go out in public with a lymphedema sleeve on.
Positive: “I can” go out in public with a lymphedema sleeve. I just need to wear a long-sleeved shirt or jacket. If it’s the summer, I can first start by wearing a sleeve when I’m with family or close friends. Or, I can wear a lymphedema sleeve without hiding it. People generally show concern and then get used to seeing me wear it.
----------------
Negative:
I
can’t afford a compression sleeve or treatment.
Positive: “I can” find out if there is financial help for a compression sleeve or treatment from breast cancer organizations. I will do what I can to ensure that I get proper treatment.
----------------
Negative:
I can’t continue working because I do a lot of lifting
where I am
currently employed.
Positive: “I can” find a job that requires less lifting and is more beneficial to my health.
----------------
Negative:
I can’t do the same hobbies that I used to do.
Positive: “I can” do hobbies. I just need to choose hobbies that I can manage and that are safer for me. Or, I can use protective gloves if my hobbies include working with sharp items.
----------------
Negative:
I can’t rough-house with my children.
Positive: “I can” rough-house with my children. We can make the play less “rough”. I just need to ensure that I’m wearing my sleeve and when I call “time out” my children respond.
----------------
Negative:
I can’t continue to be dependant on others.
Positive: “I can” decide what I am able to do first, before I call on others. “I can” talk with others about my worry about being too dependant. And perhaps there is something “I can” do to help them in return.
Think of other ways you tell yourself "I can't" and turn it around to "I can".
===========================
Join us as we work for lymphedema patients everywehere:
Advocates for Lymphedema
Dedicated to be an advocacy group for lymphedema patients. Working towards education, legal reform, changing insurance practices, promoting research, reaching for a cure.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AdvocatesforLymphedema/
Subscribe: | AdvocatesforLymphedema-subscribe@yahoogroups.com |
Pat O'Connor
Lymphedema People / Advocates for Lymphedema
===========================
For information about Lymphedema
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=lymphedema\
For Information about Lymphedema Complications
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=complications_of_lymphedema
For Lymphedema Personal Stories
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=3
For information about How to Treat a Lymphedema Wound
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=how_to_treat_a_lymphedema_wound
For information about Lymphedema Treatment
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=treatment
For information about Exercises for Lymphedema
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=exercises_for_lymphedema
For information on Infections Associated with Lymphedema
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=infections_associated_with_lymphedema
For information on Lymphedema in Children
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=lymphedema_in_children
Lymphedema Glossary
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=glossary:listing
===========================
Lymphedema People - Support Groups
-----------------------------------------------
Children
with Lymphedema
The time has come for families, parents, caregivers to have a support
group of
their own. Support group for parents, families and caregivers of
chilren with
lymphedema. Sharing information on coping, diagnosis, treatment and
prognosis.
Sponsored by Lymphedema People.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/childrenwithlymphedema/
Subscribe: childrenwithlymphedema-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
......................
Lipedema
Lipodema Lipoedema
No matter how you spell it, this is another very little understood and
totally
frustrating conditions out there. This will be a support group for
those
suffering with lipedema/lipodema. A place for information, sharing
experiences,
exploring treatment options and coping.
Come join, be a part of the family!
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/lipedema_lipodema_lipoedema/?yguid=209645515
Subscribe: lipedema_lipodema_lipoedema-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
......................
MEN WITH LYMPHEDEMA
If you are a man with
lymphedema; a man with a loved one with lymphedema who you are trying
to help
and understand come join us and discover what it is to be the master
instead of
the sufferer of lymphedema.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/menwithlymphedema/
Subscribe: menwithlymphedema-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
......................
All
About Lymphangiectasia
Support group for parents, patients, children who suffer from all forms
of
lymphangiectasia. This condition is caused by dilation of the
lymphatics. It can
affect the intestinal tract, lungs and other critical body areas.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/allaboutlymphangiectasia/
Subscribe: allaboutlymphangiectasia-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
......................
Lymphatic
Disorders Support Group @ Yahoo Groups
While we have a number of support groups for lymphedema... there is
nothing out
there for other lymphatic disorders. Because we have one of the most
comprehensive information sites on all lymphatic disorders, I thought
perhaps,
it is time that one be offered.
DISCRIPTION
Information and support for rare and unusual disorders affecting the
lymph
system. Includes lymphangiomas, lymphatic malformations,
telangiectasia,
hennekam's syndrome, distichiasis, Figueroa
syndrome, ptosis syndrome, plus many more. Extensive database of
information
available through sister site Lymphedema People.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/lymphaticdisorders/
Subscribe: lymphaticdisorders-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
===========================
Lymphedema People New Wiki Pages
Have
you seen our new
“Wiki” pages yet? Listed
below
are just a sample of the more than 140 pages now listed in our Wiki
section. We
are also working on hundred more.
Come
and take a stroll!
Lymphedema
Glossary
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=glossary:listing
Lymphedema
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=lymphedema
Arm
Lymphedema
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=arm_lymphedema
Leg
Lymphedema
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=leg_lymphedema
Acute
Lymphedema
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=acute_lymphedema
The
Lymphedema Diet
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=the_lymphedema_diet
Exercises
for Lymphedema
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=exercises_for_lymphedema
Diuretics
are not for
Lymphedema
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=diuretics_are_not_for_lymphedema
Lymphedema
People Online
Support Groups
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=lymphedema_people_online_support_groups
Lipedema
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=lipedema
Treatment
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=treatment
Lymphedema
and Pain
Management
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=lymphedema_and_pain_management
Manual
Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) and Complex Decongestive Therapy (CDT)
Infections
Associated with
Lymphedema
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=infections_associated_with_lymphedema
How
to Treat a Lymphedema
Wound
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=how_to_treat_a_lymphedema_wound
Fungal
Infections Associated
with Lymphedema
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=fungal_infections_associated_with_lymphedema
Lymphedema
in Children
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=lymphedema_in_children
Lymphoscintigraphy
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=lymphoscintigraphy
Magnetic
Resonance Imaging
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=magnetic_resonance_imaging
Extraperitoneal
para-aortic lymph node dissection (EPLND)
Axillary
node biopsy
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=axillary_node_biopsy
Sentinel
Node Biopsy
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=sentinel_node_biopsy
Small
Needle Biopsy - Fine Needle Aspiration
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=small_needle_biopsy
Magnetic
Resonance Imaging
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=magnetic_resonance_imaging
Lymphedema
Gene FOXC2
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=lymphedema_gene_foxc2
Lymphedema Gene VEGFC
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=lymphedema_gene_vegfc
Lymphedema Gene SOX18
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=lymphedema_gene_sox18
Lymphedema
and
Pregnancy
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/doku.php?id=lymphedema_and_pregnancy
Home page: Lymphedema People
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com
Page Updated: Dec. 14, 2011