Lymphedema is a problem that may occur after cancer surgery when lymph nodes are removed. Lymphedema can occur months or years after treatment. It’s a chronic (ongoing) condition that has no cure. (https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/breast-cancer/breast-cancer-lymphedema-after-treatment)

When I first heard of lymphedema, it was during the time when I first met up with my breast doctor. I knew that there is a possibility of me getting it when she removed all my lymph nodes at my left side during my breast surgery. The key word ‘possibility’, never would I dream that the possibility would really come through.

I first realised that something was wrong 8 to 9 months after my breast surgery. My surgical breast was feeling very heavy like there is fluid inside it. I was very concerned so I called up my breast doctor. She scheduled to meet me after my ultrasound. During the ultrasound session, I asked the radiologist if she can see any fluid inside and she said yes there was. I told my breast doctor about it but she said that it was normal after looking at the scan. Deep down, I knew something was not right. My skin on my lower left arm was displaying some abnormalities too. The skin had indentations that never restored back to original state. I asked around, did my own research and checked with a close friend of mine. She recommended me to see a physio first but it only relieved a bit of the symptoms but my left breast still feel heavy. After which, she recommended me to a lymphatic therapist at Masso Institute named Veronica Yap.

When Veronica first saw me in Sept 2018, she could tell me immediately what was wrong with me. She told me that due to the removal of lymph nodes on my left, it comprised the way my body remove the fluid and thus the accumulation of moisture in my left breast and arm. She also confirmed my suspicions of having lymphedema.

After the diagnosis and explanation on my condition, Veronica began to do manual lymphatic drainage ( MLD) on me while explaining it as she did it. i felt immediate improvements in the heaviness in my breast as well as my arm. In order for my condition to improve, I had to go for MLD twice a week for a few months and once my condition improved, I changed to once a week for maintenance.

During the time, I was at Masso institute, I also changed my therapist from Veronica to Julia due to schedule issues for me.

When Julia first saw me after months with Veronica, I kept telling her that my back was constantly hurting. She checked my back and realised that the fluid in my body had started accumulating in my back thus the pain. She is always able to find out the cause of my pain and explained to me what she is going to do to help me. Having lymphedema has caused me to change my lifestyle drastically. I need to keep note of food and things that may cause my body to trap fluid and how I can minimise it. I need to constantly remind myself no hot packs, swimming under the sun, sauna or hot pool as heat cause my lymphedema to act up and my left side of my body will start to swell up with fluid. I remembered once I went to a water theme park with my family after being diagnosed with lymphedema. I went sliding down the water slide with my body facing up the sun and once I reach the bottom of the pool, I told my family, I need to get out of the pool as my left side of the body is starting to become heavier. Its that immediate. I had to go and look for Julia when I came back to Singapore to get it treated.

Throughout these 2.5 years since my diagnoses of lymphedema, I encountered many people/ ladies who after cancer treatments started to get lymphedema but due to the lack of education and information on it, a lot of them suffered in silence with no help given and they went through their daily lives in pain constantly. Since then, I always try to encourage them to take the 1st step to see a lymphedema therapist and each time I see a happier them emerging from the treatment.

Don’t start accusing me of personal benefits through these recommendations as I DON’T GET ANYTHING. I JUST WANT TO HELP!

In Singapore, the term manual lymphatic drainage is greatly misused. A lot of massage parlours always use this term but what people don’t know is that lymphedema therapists need to undergo a lot of training in order to know how to treat patients with lymphedema. A lot of time these massage parlours only make the symptoms worse. So don’t think because its cheaper then you go for it.

It is your body that you are talking about so do check the qualifications of these therapists before you start so that you don’t worsen your condition.

If you are suffering from swollen arms or legs after cancer treatments, you may have lymphedema, do look for a certified lymphedema therapist for diagnoses.

I am currently being treated by Julia Yim from Lymphacare therapy, you may check her out at the website lymphacaretherapy.com. You can also check Veronica Yap from Masso institute at the website http://www.massoinstitute.com/. These are the 2 options of lymphedema therapists that I personally know.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. I do that every day. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength. It shows you have the courage to admit when you don’t know something, and to learn something new.– Barack Obama