Lymphedema=a really fat leg (among other things), by Terence

January 24, 2012
by terence

House arrest!  That's what this feels like. Lymphedema- due to the damage to the lymph system, and tumors on my kidney ureters, my body is struggling to rid itself of excess fluids. The fluids are collecting in my lower limbs. It started last Friday, when I noticed some swelling.
 

Right knee cap on Saturday

My right leg was twice the size of my left leg and my toes looked like  mini sausages! The skin was tight and puffy.  We called our doc. and  immediately needed to rule out  a blood clot, but I didn't have any pain, and I could move it pretty easily. I went into the  ER to have an ultrasound done to eliminate the blood clot possibility (I waited all night for the radiologist to show up- we were n the midst of a huge snow storm- so hospital staff was limited).  The ultrasound did not show a clot, just a really fat leg!!!!

As of today, the swelling has gone to my left leg and groin.  Lymphedema is a high protein swelling that may develop when cancer cells invade lymph nodes (as it has in my case). This type of swelling can occur in one or both legs, the abdomen or genital region after prostate cancer.

More blood work to be done to watch my kidney function, hemoglobin, etc.  Massage, Epson salt baths, (minor) trampoline work (to get the fluids moving- Sherry bought a mini tramp on Saturday!) and major leg elevation (she bought a recliner on Sunday! ), small walks to the mail box, leg compression (socks purchased yesterday), skin care regimens, no heavy lifting but lots and lots of rest.  Like I said, house arrest! 

My new recliner: ready for the Super Bowl.

Sherry has always wanted to buy me a recliner but I have always resisted - believing that recliners are for old men (coincidentally,  my father-in law recently got one for his 90th birthday so that sort of proves my point). .... well at least  the Super Bowl will be a little more enjoyable in a new recliner (along with my new thigh highs and scrotum sling)!!!!!!!

More than anything, I am mad. I really *dislike* what cancer is doing. I  read other blogs of men who are fighting prostate cancer at this stage and it seems that cancer runs it's course- it's no respecter of persons.  Man, it makes my blood boil.  Prostate cancer works overtime to strip a man of  identity and dignity.

Zech. 9;12 "Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope;
   even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you"

I stayed in prayer most of the morning today.  As Sherry always reminds me, "we need to become prisoners of hope".  

Prayer, reading the promises in the bible and surrounding myself with others who have become prisoners of hope is one way  to keep discouragement and frustration away, especially when under 'house arrest'!

Thanks for your prayers, phone calls,

emails and cards.

Terence