WHAT IS LYMPHEDEMA?
Lymph edema is swelling of a body part caused by a build up of lymph fluid. It usually occurs in an arm or leg.
Our bodies have a network of lymph vessels that carry lymph fluid to all parts of the body. These lymph vessels are connected to lymph nodes, which are small bean-sized collections of immune system cells. The lymph fluid and lymph nodes both contain white blood cells that help the body fight infections. If the lymph vessels are not working well, lymph fluid can build up in body tissues; this is called lymph edema.
Many people with cancer have treatments that involve lymph nodes and lymph vessels. Surgery that removes lymph nodes or radiation treatment to areas that contain lymph nodes can increase the chance of having lymph edema. Having both surgery and radiation increases the chance even more. Having a few lymph nodes removed is less likely to cause lymph edema than having many nodes removed. Sometimes, the cancer can cause a blockage of the lymph system and result in lymph edema.
Lymph edema is most often linked to treatments for breast, prostate, uterine, vulvar, or cervical cancers, sarcomas, and melanoma. If lymph edema occurs after breast cancer treatment, swelling can affect the arm on the side of the breast cancer. After treatment for cancer in the abdomen or pelvis, Lymph edema may occur in the lower part of the body including the legs.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
OF LYMPHEDEMA?
The signs and symptoms of Lymph edema may include:
- a full or heavy feeling in the arm, leg, or genitals,
- a tight feeling in the skin of the arm, leg, or genitals,
- less movement or flexibility in your hand, wrist, or ankle,
- trouble fitting into clothing or jewelry in one specific area, such as one sleeve of your jacket being tight.
HOW CAN LYMPHEDEMA BE PREVENTED AND CONTROLLED?
There is no cure for Lymph edema, so we try to prevent it from starting. If it has started, then we try to improve the symptoms and prevent them from getting worse. Most experts suggest basic steps (listed below) to lower your chance of developing Lyrnphedema or to help delay its start.
Protect the Arm or Leg From Injury
Protect the arm or leg nearest where the cancer was treated from any burns or injury. Your body responds to an injury by making extra fluid. When lymph nodes and vessels have been damaged or removed by cancer treatments, it is harder to get rid of this extra fluid. This can trigger Lymph edema.
- Keep the arm or leg (on the side of the cancer
treatment) clean. - Keep your skin and cuticles soft and moist by regular use of a lotion or cream. Do not cut or clip cuticles.
- Use an electric shaver for removing underarm and leg hair instead of a blade razor or hair removal cream.
- Use an insect repellent and sunscreen to avoid bug bites and sunburn.
- Avoid extreme heat or cold.
- Use standard first aid measures to treat any cuts, scrapes, burns, insect bites, hangnails, or torn cuticles. Ask your doctor or nurse team if you are unsure about what to do. Watch for early signs of infection, such as pus, redness, swelling increased heat, tenderness, chills, or fever. Call your doctor right away if you think you have an infection.
- If your arm is affected, try to avoid blood drawing, IVs, or shots on that side. Tell all health care workers that you are at risk for lymph edema. Wear protective gloves when doing household chores and yard work.
- If your legs are affected, always wear well-fitting, closed shoes instead of sandals or slippers. Wear soft protective socks. Do not go barefoot.
Messages from Healthy-Steps Instructors
My experience as Miss Connecticut: by Ashley Glen
From the moment I was crowned Miss Connecticut my life shifted into high gear. My dreams as a little girl become a reality, I was going to Miss America.
During my first month as Miss Connecticut I was amazed at the number of opportunities set before me. My platform, Healthy-Steps, reached an entirely new audience and touched the lives of breast cancer survivors across Connecticut. I have met and worked with so many incredible people over the course of my year as Miss Connecticut who reminded me every day of why my job was so important.
Sherry & Ashley Glen
Being Miss Connecticut was never about the credit or the glamour. It was about doing what feels good for my community and the people I love. I am so grateful for my relationship with Sherry Lebed Davis. It was an honor to promote Healthy-Steps and show everyone what they are missing!
Kindly,
Ashley Christina Glenn
Miss Connecticut 2008
Message from Kat, Healthy-Steps Instructor from the UK:
We all know that Lebed is more than dance or exercise, it really changes people's lives. I had a powerful reminder of this the other day.
I have a young twenty-something girl in my class who was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome some years ago. She gets very tired and her whole body aches - so much that she cannot drive and cannot even take public transport. Since her diagnosis she has relied on her parents and friends to drive her wherever she needs to go. She is a very joyful person and used to do a lot of dancing before she became ill. So you can imagine how much she loves Lebed! As I drive more or less past her house, I have picked her up for class. However, in one month the class will be moving to another time and day and I cannot pick her up anymore. The other night I got a phone call from her. She was very excited and told me that I did not need to pick her up the next morning - she was going to make her own way to class on the bus. She had already tried it the day before to see whether she could do it - and she did it! Of course, she was tired and achy afterwards but most of all she was happy. She was starting to do some 'normal' things, things that we all take for granted: leave the house and take the bus. This little incident has given her the confidence to plan other excursions: She is even planning to go to a Salsa class! And all because she is determined to come to Lebed!
As an aside, the class have set up an 'emergency pick-up' for her, so that, on bad days -and recovery also includes those, unfortunately- when she cannot take the bus she can phone someone to ask for a lift.
Lots of love,Kat
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