When I called my surgeon's office about my swollen leg, they gave me a referral to the Rehabilitation Institute of St. Louis, this great place down by B-J Hospital that actually has a lymphedema clinic! The clinic is staffed by physical therapists who know everything there is to know about preventing -- and treating -- lymphedema! Who knew?
So I went in for a consultation on Wednesday, saw a therapist who took measurements of both my legs, and prescribed a treatment plan. I've got six appointments already -- twice a week for three weeks. She'll show me how to exercise and massage my bum leg, and how to wrap it tightly, which should make the swelling go down.
She explained to me how the massage is intended to work the "lymph" upward, toward my underarm lymph nodes, which will disperse it in the usual manner. Wow. The stuff I'm learning.
Anyway, I should be back to normal (was I ever?) in a few weeks. Hallelujah! And with all my new knowledge about preventing lymphedema, I may never have to worry about this again! (Yes, in my eyes, the glass is ALWAYS half-full!)
Until next time ...
P
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
A walkin' fool
Yes. That's me. Took part in the 12th Annual Cancer Survivorship Walk Saturday at Creve Coeur Park, along with my sister/nurse/maid/saint. Money raised benefited the Wellness Community, a great St. Louis organization that provides FREE resources to cancer patients and their families -- things like information, exercise and yoga classes, healthy cooking classes, support groups.
Anyway, there were two available walks: one mile and three miles. So, of course, I had to be a show-off and walk SIX MILES! Well, it was a gorgeous day -- sunny, maybe a little hot (but what the heck!) -- and part of the walk was right along the lake, with sailboats and kayaks and even a few white egrets looking for lunch. Ahh, it was nice.
So, of course, when we finished one-and-a-half miles, the road went on ahead, so we did, too! We finally stopped when we came to the Lakehouse Restaurant, with a deck that overlooks the water, so we stopped to rest and enjoy a strawberry smoothie. Ahh, that also was nice.
But then -- because the road ahead was flooded and we couldn't make the "circle," which would have been shorter -- we had to walk back the way we came. We figure we walked for at least two hours, not counting the resting part. And we probably walked at a rate of one mile every 20 minutes. So, 120 minutes equals 6 miles. At least.
By the time we got back to the car, we were really, really hot and really, really tired. And our "dogs were barkin'," if you know what I mean. In fact, the thousands of people who were there for the cancer walk when we started were all gone. So were their cars. We were rather late. Oh well.
So now my bum leg, the one that's missing a mess of lymph nodes, is swollen again. Lymphedema. Not too bad, but more than it was before. So, I'm going to get some brand-new, tight, compression stockings; elevate, elevate, elevate; do some massage; and hope it all works out. I'll probably call the doc tomorrow, too, in case he wants me to see someone about it.
But, hey, I'm still here. And I'm not just sitting around playing tiddly winks. But I might do that tomorrow ...
Until next time ...
P
Anyway, there were two available walks: one mile and three miles. So, of course, I had to be a show-off and walk SIX MILES! Well, it was a gorgeous day -- sunny, maybe a little hot (but what the heck!) -- and part of the walk was right along the lake, with sailboats and kayaks and even a few white egrets looking for lunch. Ahh, it was nice.
So, of course, when we finished one-and-a-half miles, the road went on ahead, so we did, too! We finally stopped when we came to the Lakehouse Restaurant, with a deck that overlooks the water, so we stopped to rest and enjoy a strawberry smoothie. Ahh, that also was nice.
But then -- because the road ahead was flooded and we couldn't make the "circle," which would have been shorter -- we had to walk back the way we came. We figure we walked for at least two hours, not counting the resting part. And we probably walked at a rate of one mile every 20 minutes. So, 120 minutes equals 6 miles. At least.
By the time we got back to the car, we were really, really hot and really, really tired. And our "dogs were barkin'," if you know what I mean. In fact, the thousands of people who were there for the cancer walk when we started were all gone. So were their cars. We were rather late. Oh well.
So now my bum leg, the one that's missing a mess of lymph nodes, is swollen again. Lymphedema. Not too bad, but more than it was before. So, I'm going to get some brand-new, tight, compression stockings; elevate, elevate, elevate; do some massage; and hope it all works out. I'll probably call the doc tomorrow, too, in case he wants me to see someone about it.
But, hey, I'm still here. And I'm not just sitting around playing tiddly winks. But I might do that tomorrow ...
Until next time ...
P
Monday, May 3, 2010
Another blessing
So, I'm happy to report that the CEA (cancer) blood test of last Thursday is COMPLETELY NORMAL at 1.2 (anything under 3 is considered OK). And, also found out that the one I had a month ago -- when I saw Dr. K on March 24 -- also was 1.2! I'm ecstatic once again!
Thanks, friends and family, for your prayers and concern, and thank you, God, for your continued blessings in my life!
It's always a thrill to hear a good-health report, and another reminder of all I should be grateful for. Life isn't just good, it's damn wonderful!
Until next time ...
P
Thanks, friends and family, for your prayers and concern, and thank you, God, for your continued blessings in my life!
It's always a thrill to hear a good-health report, and another reminder of all I should be grateful for. Life isn't just good, it's damn wonderful!
Until next time ...
P
Saturday, May 1, 2010
The plan
So, saw the oncologist, Dr. W-G, on Thursday, who said my bloodwork was good (except I forgot to call on Friday to find out about the CEA -- cancer -- test, so hoping to do that on Monday). She'd like to see me again in July, and do a CT scan then to make sure all is well.
That's the plan. It sounds good to me.
This past week I had some slight lymphedema (swelling) in my left leg -- the one that had most of its lymph nodes removed in January 2009. I think I brought it on when I stayed up 'til 2 a.m. Monday night finishing a story for our newspaper -- I was so engrossed in work, I neglected to elevate my leg at all that whole time! So, now I know -- don't do that anymore.
Anyway, after a few days -- and nights -- of "babying" it (mucho elevating, no long walks), this morning it seems pretty much back to normal.
I'm feeling fine (although still a bit of numbness in the toes from the chemo) and looking forward to warmer weather and good times! I've got a work trip to D.C. next week, and our family will be spending a week on the beach in June. Life is good.
Until next time ...
P
That's the plan. It sounds good to me.
This past week I had some slight lymphedema (swelling) in my left leg -- the one that had most of its lymph nodes removed in January 2009. I think I brought it on when I stayed up 'til 2 a.m. Monday night finishing a story for our newspaper -- I was so engrossed in work, I neglected to elevate my leg at all that whole time! So, now I know -- don't do that anymore.
Anyway, after a few days -- and nights -- of "babying" it (mucho elevating, no long walks), this morning it seems pretty much back to normal.
I'm feeling fine (although still a bit of numbness in the toes from the chemo) and looking forward to warmer weather and good times! I've got a work trip to D.C. next week, and our family will be spending a week on the beach in June. Life is good.
Until next time ...
P
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