From the first moment
my wife discovered she had breast cancer, there was a deafening silence from
the men I know. Even ones whose wives, mothers or girlfriends had breast cancer
seemed to have received a gag order from some Central Cancer Command and did
little more than mumble about the experience. Not one to shut up for any known
reason, I started this blog…
If I were to sum up this whole breast cancer experience, as
viewed from the outside, into a single word, I’d pick COMPLICATIONS.
From the beginning, there are not many things that can
complicate a Human life as much as cancer. Routine’s become more complicated.
Diet becomes more complicated. Relationships become more complicated. Work
becomes more complicated.
People involved with cancer talk about “The New Normal”. (I
did here: http://breastcancerreaper.blogspot.com/2012/09/i-have-to-keep-telling-myself-that-new.html)
Even years after the initial diagnosis, life is complicated.
For example, my wife got a new compression garment – and it’s the first day of
summer. Two events that seemingly have nothing to do with each other. But
breast cancer complicates everything!
In brief: “people with lymphedema follow a daily regimen of
treatment as suggested by their physician or certified lymphedema therapist...a
combination of direct lymphatic massage, lymphatic exercise, daytime and
nighttime compression garments or compression bandaging...” As well: “Elastic
compression garments are worn by a person with lymphedema on the affected
limb...to maintain edema reduction and to compress the arm or leg and encourage
the flow of lymph fluid out of the affected limb...a compression garment may be
custom-fit or purchased in over-the-counter, standard sizes...to be worn twenty
four hours a day, every day to maintain edema reduction and must be replaced on
a regular basis”
She has to wear the new compression garment forever – that’s
a given – but with the warmer weather and variable air conditioning in places
have presented a NEW complication.
She may be allergic to the fabric that the sleeve is made
of. It’s one of these types: “...produced by flat-knit machines...knit row by
row, following a knitting pattern...can be produced in almost unlimited shapes
and sizes in accordance with the presented anatomical shape...Because of their
perfect fit, the[y] deliver a precise level of compression, as well as a pressure
gradient...”
She went to see the cancer specialist yesterday and that’s
where the person told her she was probably allergic to it. So...now what? For
the present, we will live in air-conditioned luxury all the time as she waits
for the reaction to subside. Also, she got a mosquito bite (a REAL shocker here
in Minnesota in the summer time!) on her elbow. She’s treating as we reviewed
here: http://breastcancerreaper.blogspot.com/2012/07/lymph-node-excision-mosquito-bites-and.html).
COMPLICATIONS. Always complications. Next up? A bone density
scan as one of the meds she takes (anastrazole) can cause bone density to drop.
More about that next time, on GUY’S GOTTA TALK ABOUT...
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