lymphedemia of my right leg,

[cambersands]

Was told in 02 that i had cervical cancer, had radical historectomy, then radio, and chemo, on and off for 3years, then had major op, in dec 05 pelvic excenaration, not sure if i have spelling right, lasted 13hrs, had to have a colostomy, and a wee bag, sorry dont know what it is called!. then told abobt secondaries in lung, also pushed for reversal of colostomy, and got it in july 07, had slght swelling after, reversal, none after big op!. went to gym last week, went on treadmill, felt great, considering lungs, anyway, woke up with my leg, and foot swollen and aching, tried elavating, resting etc, have i done permantant damage? will it go back down? i have the tight stocking, which i am putting on, can someone give me some advise PLEASE,  clare x

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi.  Does the swelling occur in both legs or on only one leg?  If the swelling is only found on one leg, it may be lymphedema due to post-surgical damage to lymphatic vessels supplying your leg.  But there is also a possibility that the lymphedema may be due to blockage from enlarged nodes either in the groin or pelvis (inside the abdomen, so this is not palpable).  So my suggestion is to have yourself examined by a doctor to check for this possibility. If the swelling occurs in both legs, you also need to consult with a doctor about it, since it may signify a potentially serious condition.  The compression bandages and exercises that lhughes suggested can help.  

[lhughes]

clare,

you should wear your compression bandage when you exercise.  There are manual lymphatic drainage exercises that can be performed by either you or another person.  You should see if you can be seen by a physical therapist trained in lymphedema to alleviate the swelling, show you how to do some additional bandaging and also show you how to do the manual massage.

there are things that you can do to help, just have to find out who knows and get some help.  hopefully your docs can give you some answers.  i have one that will help me, the others don't think i have much of a problem (my left arm has mild swelling from a mastectomy and radiation).  so, keep asking!  oh, it was my radiation oncologist who sent me to physical therapy and that's where i learned how to do all the stuff.  there are also some books available, but nothing is like having some one show you for this stuff.

good luck!