Guess who's getting married?!

No, not me.

Oldest!

In Utah!

So, I'll be heading out to Utah this summer. The date has changed a few times. It's a little early to make plans so for now, we have none.

One thing I am worried about is my lymphedema. It was getting dreadful worse by the day. I know it was because I was doing a lot of work at my rental house. Stuff needed to get done. Then I had my 3 month check up and blood work (all is well dear friends). I told Dr. R that I'm concerned about my arm. I wear the sleeve, I do the exercises, I massage my fingers to the bone. Still the swelling continues.

I am sent to my surgeon. Why? Don't know for sure, there is no surgery cure for this, whatever, I go. I don't like him much. Didn't the first time I saw him. I figure that surgery in not in my immediate future so if they want me to see the surgeon, I will.

First of all, his waiting room is boring. Very very boring. I took pictures, I can't find them. Anywho, then he comes in and I tell him I need to see the physical therapist for my lymphedema. (I was told he would refer me) He says, there is no cure for lymphedema. I know, I says, but there is treatment, I'd like to see someone about it. Well, he says, there is no proof or studies that conclusively agree that treatment of any kind is effective. WHAT! I says. You will just have to accept it and learn to live with it, he says.

Oh, and first I talk to him about my mamo's. With my other insurance and doctors I was told I'll have mamo's once a year and MRI (or something like that) once a year. Meaning every 6 months I'll have some sort of scan. Dr. R said if you're last mamo was fine we do them only once a year. My surgeon can recommend an every 6 month thing if needed. He says, this yucky surgeon, that we only do mamos once a year as long as you're fine. (I must be retarded because how will you know I'm fine if you don't check?) Mamos use radiation, he says, radiation can cause cancer. I've been uber radiated, I says, I doubt the mamos use that much. Well, he says, if YOU really want a mamo, I'll order it. He does this "I'll order it right now for you" and writes out this paper and acts all strange, like, if it'll make you happy but it wont do you any good, kind of thing. They only way YOU'LL not worry about breast cancer is if you get a radical double mastectomy, he says.

At this point I don't even want him to examine me. I let him and can't wait to get the hell out of there.

He will never, ever, ever, EVER touch me again.

I call Heidi, my breast nurse, and cry miserably. Is this Kaiser's position on lymphedema? I says. No, no no no no. She says. I never want to see him again, I says. I understand, she says. Anyone, any surgeon that will take this seriously will do, I says. She changes my surgeon to a woman doc that she thinks I will like. I'll see her next time. For now she will put in the order for the physical therapist.

Here is where the happy ending happens. The physical therapist instructs me on a routine to move the fluid out of my arm. Within 3 days, my fingers are normal looking and I can wear my ring again.

Oh joy! Oh rapture! Great relief!

I'll see the PT again in a couple of weeks. I told her I'm very concerned about flying. I'm being fitted for a new sleeve.