Leg lymphedema in cancer patients

[mudmucker]

Well hey redrhodie. Thanks for asking.

The deed hasn't been done yet. Surgery is on Dec.30. On the 28th I have my last pre-op appt with the anesthesiologist.

But, since you asked....

Headwise I am doing ok. I have been very busy the last week prepping the house as I live alone. I have my support team in place, people will be visiting or staying over at first but I will be alone for most of the recovery. I've been preparing meals for the freezer, cleaning, laundry, last minute chores, bringing things out that I will use at countertop level, clothes at waist level, since I won't be able to lift or bend, lining up a person to plow for the winter, and ordered myself one of those easy grabbers.

There has been a calamity of events since the day I found out. Excruciating headaches and some weight loss because my stomach was keyed up, just before Thanksgiving. I have a frame that can't afford to lose even 5 lbs. But I cooked and had Thanksgiving at my house. I began to accept the fact, headaches went away and appetite came back and I was fine. Then a few days later, I had a toothache that required an emergency visit to the dentist in a snowstorm. Dentist couldn't do anything because I needed a root canal on a tooth with a crown and required an endodontist. Couldn't get anything done that day since snow closed some offices and some endodontists couldn't take me that day. I had my first visit to Dana Farber and could absolutely not cancel it. Dentist gave me tylenol with codiene to hold me over through the appt. Was only slighly effective. Finally found an endodontist to take me asap after Dana Farber. Needed a root canal and had some complications because of extra calcium deposits in the canal (read, alot of reaming and 2 hours of it). Also apparently there was nerve that was still alive. When the novacaine wore off I was in tears with the pain. Made an emergency call back to the dentist who prescribed Vicodin. Had to get it myself, 28 mile round trip (rural living) in nighttime bitter cold. Held me through 3 days later when I had root canal part 2. Refilled Vicodin so there was no repeat. Unfortunately I lost even more weight because I couldn't eat. Lost 8 lbs overall and this is not good. But then I began eating again. Until a few days later I came down with hives. Took Benadryl. Didn't work. Hives progressively got real bad, everywhere and spread to face. Tongue starting swelling more than usual, breathing tight, and had difficulty swallowing. Drove myself to the emergency room and was given a shot of epinephrine and IV of Benadryl and Solumedral. Cleared to go after an hour and a half or so. Gave me a prescription for prednisone steroid and just finished that course of treatment. Had some side effects like blurred vision but I had to get rid of the hives. I can't tell you how many trips to CVS I have made in the last 2.5 weeks, sometimes twice a day.

I wouldn't mention this so much as it has been absurd and there comes a point where there HAS to be a level of humor to this sad set of events. You find out you have cancer and then a whole series of calamaties ensue that could potentially stop you from having the surgery that is supposed to address the cancer. I dealt with all of it just fine, because I am used to making focused decisions, acting, and dealing with things on my own. I just went with it, although stressful I didn't feel too stressed - maybe that was due to all the bleeping pain meds I was on (and I haven't even had the surgery yet). The hard part was being in sometimes intolerable level of pain and discomfort. My biggest fear is that any of it would postpone the surgery. I made several calls to Dana Farber and my primary and I am still good to go....

[redrhodie]

You are an incredibly strong woman. That was a hard post to read. Sometimes life throws it all at you at once, and you have no choice but to deal with it, but what you've just been through is extreme. I hope the pain is under control, and the surgery goes as planned. Any idea what caused the hives?

I hope 2010 brings you good health and a quick and painless recovery.

[bambu101]

It is amazing how everything was thrown at you all at once, and how well you took it all in stride. You are definitely a strong person, and I'm sure you will come through the surgery and recovery with the same strength and fortitude.

Wishing you a quick recovery!

[Bike Chick]

I'm so sorry, Mudmucker. Hang in there and best wishes for a smooth surgery and speedy recovery. I hope you will feel like sitting at the computer soon afterward so you can let us all know how you are doing.

[KnottedYet]

(((((mudmucker)))))

[OakLeaf]

(((((((mudmucker)))))))

Hoping the rest goes much more smoothly for you.