Angela’s Story

My story starts with having breast cancer in 2004, I ended up with having right mastectomy..I had no chemo and no radiation,they tested lymph nodes with sentinel-lymphnode test which at that time hurt as much as severe pain days then my surgery was post-poned due to irregular heart beat that showed up that day-I then had to have another sentinel-lymphnode test which hurt as much as the first time and I still remember the nurse I had for both and she told me she felt really bad I had to go thru it twice and I actually saw tears in her eyes I told her I would be okay and it was…..I was on tamoxifen over a year then had trouble with blood-clots in my neck then later one in right arm that turned int two surgeries to bust up clots in arm I am am will remain on coumadin because Dr. tried to take me off of it then came second clot so to keep me well I will take coumadin..I later had pain in arm which thought was nother clot but they said good news it is lymphedema-I was unsure why that was good news but they told me lymphedema is more manageable and with clots could possibly have died as first and second times…I did therapy for the lymphedema (had a great therapist) he taught me soooo much to help with the swelling and the wearing of the sleeve…I have no insurance other than medicaid and am sooooo greatful for that which allows me to get a sleeve every 6months because they do loose some pressure and they do get stained when I wear to work but try to keep clean…I make sure no blood pressure taken in arm and no needles so that leaves the other arm as a target for blood tests and luckily I have good vein in that arm beccause when I have to have check for coumadin level..My arm is stronger with sleeve on and when not wear I can tell swelling if try to use arm tooo much That limits doing things at work as I’m in food service which involves some repetive movements and causes swelling if not wearing sleeve or notice of sleeve tighter to keep swelling down.. Thanks to my Dr. and medicaid for help in keeping me able to keep doing some work and hopefully keep the lymphedema under control..I do not worry bout what anyone says bout the sleeve I’m glad to tell anyone it helps keep me alive….. Prayers to all who have lymphedema and take care of yourself.