I should have known.....

A few months ago, I was debating what to do with this blog.  I wanted to end it as I felt the time had come and it had served its purpose-- besides, I was blank when it came to the witty writing my readers had come to expect (humor me here people).  One night as I was lying in bed, I even wrote some of it (in my mind—enough said).  But alas… when I woke up the next morning, my mind was blank and I never did recover those words.  Must have been a sign as apparently, I have another one to share and I would like to point out yet again, I have not said now what or no, that will never happen. 

About 3 weeks ago, I woke up with my right hand/arm tingling and my middle finger was stuck in the outward position.  Normally I would have found this amusing, however, it was a Wednesday and since it is the summer that means Summer Reading which means kids.  The first group is the K-5 kids and the second is the Teens.  I would love to say I was more worried about the teens, but those little buggars in the younger group are smart and I had visions… and they were not pretty.  I can handle my Teen group, but my K-5 group scares me.    Back to the tingling—it was annoying as hell and my finger was still stuck.  So I jumped in the shower hoping and praying it would stop and I could go on with my day.  As I was drying my hair—yes, I am at the I can use a hair dryer stage (although it takes about 30 seconds—still—it is an accomplishment considering where I was a year ago)—anyway, I realized my right arm was swollen.  From my fingers up to my shoulder looked a little big to me—just when I was thinking I had side stepped the lymphedema issue.  I will let everyone use their own imagination on the thoughts I let slip out and it was not “oh crap”.

Lymphedema is fluid retention and swelling based upon the compromise of the lymphatic system.  And because I had about 20 lymph nodes taken out during surgery way back on January 6, 2012 (I can remember that day and I can’t remember yesterday), it seems my system is compromised.  Lovely, just lovely.  So I do the only thing I know what to do—I call Lynnette, Dr Lynn’s nurse.  I leave a message; she calls me back and says “Dr Lynn said oh crap when I told her.”   Me—as I am laughing: “There is no way on this earth that is what she said.”  Lynnette—laughing as well: “hmmmmm….”  Me: “she said oh shit – didn’t she?”  Lynnette: “Yup—along with why now.  You need to come in.”   2 weeks later, I was sitting in a familiar room while she stared at my arm.  (I did see Dr Nicholas a week before and I told him I was going to see Dr Lynn as he was going to do something and he said something like better her than me and laughed and said you have driven her nuts since day one, might as well continue.  I love my doctors!)

I left the office with instructions to call Robert, some sort of lymphedema therapy specialist—had no idea there was one—and the thought going through my mind of having to wear one of those sleeves on my arm—which I now know are called compressions sleeves—just another thing to add to my I could have gone my entire life without knowing this list.   I was able to push the appointment off 2 weeks until Summer Reading ended as I had a feeling it was not going to end well.  My arm still tingled at times and you know when you stare at something long enough, it does what you want it to do.  So in my mind, my arm was not swollen anymore.  Yeah, right.  Robert explained the therapy procedures while measuring my fingers, and all up and down my arm and then my shoulder. And I actually was able to listen and to comprehend.  Of course it was before 1pm, so I was good.  However, as he continued, I realized this therapy was really going to suck and I might have to get some Press N Seal again… oh the joy!  Because everyone does things their own way, the first part of the therapy can be as short as 2 weeks or as long as 10 weeks (anyone want to make any bets here?).  The first part is comprised of compression, movement and I think I heard the word massage.  Compression is the biggest part and ---here it comes—my arm needs to be wrapped basically 24/7.  And I am not talking a regular wrap—I am talking each finger is wrapped, the hand, the arm, the shoulder—everything is wrapped.  This is to get the fluid moving.  He said my ability to type should be okay and my writing might get messier—I did not say a word.  I think this is when I just shook my head and said what about showers—the memory of that damn Press N Seal still haunting me.  He told me I could not get it wet and gave me a few suggestions.  He did tell me I could get the early appointment and take the wrap off and take a shower as they would rewrap when I got there.  Of course the only ones I could work out the first week are in the afternoon.  Figures.

I start this next step a week from Monday.  I have to be there the first week everyday Monday- Friday and then I have to keep the silly thing on the entire weekend. Looks like every day the following week, but he wants to see how the week goes.  So much for my planning.  On the positive side… I only have to drive to Gordon Road which is on the outskirts of Wilmington and takes maybe 35 minutes—not all the way down towards the hospital.  And there is a new Dunkin Donuts in Hampstead.  And I am on this side of the ground and it could be a lot worse.  A lot worse. 

Give thanks in all circumstances!