Tuesday, December 02, 2008

on the road again

another trip 45 minutes south to the lymphedema clinic for a fitting for a compression piece for my swollen breast. it is the same black padded heavy material sewn in criss cross fashion to move the fluids that are trapped in my breast on the surgery side.
the way they keep explaining it to me is that the the whole quadrant of my body has been affected by radiation and the lymphatic fluids are just plain stuck and backed up forever.
the 2x weekly of MLD (manual lymphatic drainage) with the physical therapist and wearing these damn garments are what tries to keep things at bay and maintain the swelling.
in order to wear the breast piece, i had to get mastectomy bras which has a "pocket" (usually for a prosthesis) in which to insert this compression piece. you can imagine how classy and great thislooks under clothes..... so many things i can't wear without looking like some kind of monster.... i choose to skip the garment for special occasions out.....
some people have fanny packs - i have a booby pack !
the bras are expensive and then the fitting fee on top of that set me back once again.....not covered by any insurance even tho this is definitely treatment.......
so way over $100 later - i 'm on the road again -hopefully to keep my upper quadrant working.....
the road is hard and long and sadly there is no end to this journey.........

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