TAILIEUCHUNG - Ebook Breast cancer - medical treatment, side effects, and complementary therapies: Part 2
Part 2 book “Breast cancer - medical treatment, side effects, and complementary therapies” has contents: Breast cancer - physical side effects, breast cancer - psychosocial side effects, breast cancer - complementary therapies, patient-centric cancer care, conclusion. | CHAPTER 5 Breast Cancer: Physical Side Effects Case Study: Journey of Prema (Part 3) Soon after Prema’s modified radical mastectomy (MRM) in May 2010, her surgical oncologist taught her a few arm exercises that would help her restore her left arm mobility. Soon after her surgery, Prema realized that she was unable to lift her arm, and bringing it over her head was impossible. Even lifting it parallel to the ground was excruciatingly painful. Looking in the mirror, she realized that the muscles in her armpit had become cordlike and extended all the way down her left arm to her palm. Her surgical oncologist talked about axillary web syndrome (AWS) or lymphatic cording. It took over six months of massage and exercises to get back mobility. Her arm started to feel stiff and heavy by January 2011. One month later, Prema and Prem were back to the medical oncologist. Prema was given antibiotics and painkillers, but the swelling continued. It took almost six months for the doctors to suspect lymphedema and Prema was advised to meet a physiotherapist. Six months later, a regular exercise regimen designed by her physiotherapist, yoga, and daily massage helped Prema to manage her lymphedema. If only she had been counseled about lymphedema earlier, she would not have lost four months trying to identify the reasons for her left arm swelling, pain, and stiffness. Another side effect was “chemo brain,” which led to memory lapses, forgetfulness, and coordination problems. Prem’s constant surfing on the Internet revealed that more than 50 percent of cancer patients who underwent surgery suffer from lymphedema, and it could occur even many years later. 44 BREAST CANCER Common Physical Side Effects Cancer and cancer treatments cause many common side effects such as pain, fatigue, skin and nail changes, nausea, changes in appetite, changing body image, loss of interest in sex, limitations in everyday physical functioning, and sleeping This is because of (a) injury to
đang nạp các trang xem trước
