One thing I have been super paranoid and hyper-sensitive about is the possibility of getting lymphedema. With every thing numb pretty much from my sternum to my elbow, the sensations are hard to deal with. You know how it is when your mouth is coming out of Novocaine. Pretty much the same thing. There is some tingling, and everything feels like it's twice as big as it is. Also, someone asked me if my chest feels like my milk is coming in. Yes, this is the sensation! A tightening sensation. Jeff has measured my arm a lot over the course of the last few months. Every time I do anything, it feels like my arm is ballooning up. I feel like I need to constantly be rubbing my arm to get the fluid moving. I kept reminding myself that my PT told me that lymph fluid moves very slowly, and if you squeeze too tightly or try to rub it to quickly, it will just stop and wait for you to finish what you're doing before going about its business. With the partial numbness, any sleeve that is form fitting feels like it is tight on my right arm.
I finally felt like I needed to visit with the PT again to be reassured that everything is ok. I did have some swelling sensation on my upper back/side, so I wanted her to check that out. Well!!!!..... good news. She took measurements in about 5 places on my arm and only one place has a slight increase in size. Not enough to worry about and in my bicep which is not an area of concern. One measurement was actually slightly smaller. I am so relieved. I have been way less stressed about this since Friday. It was good that I went in to see her even aside from peace of mind. I do have a tendency to roll my right shoulder forward and that is putting pressure on my pectoral muscle which is tightening up and making me want to roll it forward even more. This can cause numbness or cold feeling in my lower arm. It also is a cause of pain in my shoulder. So she gave me some exercises to do to strengthen my deltoid and trapezious muscles and improve my posture.
She also gave me encouragement that I can do any normal activity and exercise such as push-ups or planks. Building strength in my arm is actually good now and it will improve the flow of fluids through the tissue.
I am extremely glad that I went in to see her. I had actually cancelled the appointment, but then called to see if they had filled it yet, and they hadn't so I went in for the original appointment.
YEA! for people who have trained and been educated to help others in their specialty!!!
