Tracy
Tracy was referred to me by her breast surgeon pre-surgery for the early surveillance monitoring for breast cancer related lymphoedema. Surgery involved double mastectomy and axillary node dissection on her right side. Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy was not successful. Tracy was deflated by this outcome.
Lilania
Lilania was referred for the assessment and management of left side breast cancer related lymphoedema (BCRL) symptoms, treatment of radiation scar tissue management following left side lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node dissection.
Lilania suffered a brain aneurysm, recovering well over time from brain surgery. Following this she was diagnosed with an 11 millimetre tumour in the left breast and a four millimetre tumour in the right breast. She underwent WLE + SLNB biopsy on the right and auxiliary node dissection on the left.
Recently, she had a double mastectomy and TUG flap reconstruction using the transverse upper gracillis flap; and nipple sparing reconstruction.
Jenny
Jenny was referred by her surgeon for the early surveillance monitoring of breast cancer related lymphoedema (BCRL) prior to commencement of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, planned surgery, and radiotherapy treatment.
Karen
Karen underwent a lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node dissection (x 3 LN). Karen was referred to Kate by her surgeon following three sessions of radiation therapy. She presented with significant cording symptoms in her right axilla and significant pain symptoms in her scapular, also on the right side.
CT and bone scans were completed to investigate the pain symptoms and query bone metastases. Nil issues were found. We were able to replicate the pain symptoms on specific shoulder range of movements. Karen was prescribed Endone and Lyrica by her GP to manage the pain.
Marilyn
Marilyn presented to the clinic for assessment of right arm breast cancer related lymphoedema symptoms which were triggered following a morning of gardening. Her treatments included a lumpectomy and 13 x lymph node dissection chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
On physical examination the lymphoedema tissue was quite firm (sludgy) difficult for Marilyn to massage.
Helen
Helen commenced neoadjuvant chemotherapy however due to the adverse effects she ceased treatment. The adverse side effects of neoadjuvant chemo included heart palpitations, a violent cough, reflux, and inflamed lungs.
Helen was referred to Kate by her surgeon following surgery, presenting with breast oedema. Her baseline Lymphoedema Index (LDex) = 4.7 (nil pre-treatment baseline established). Helen was also to recommence chemotherapy treatment following radiotherapy.
During the recommencement of chemo, Helen’s lymphoedema symptoms spiked.
Helen also had a history of osteoarthritis in her knees, she reported bone on bone and excessive pain symptoms. These symptoms were exacerbated at the commencement of hormone blocking medication, Letrazole. Reported low energy and knee pain.
Her specialist recommended a bilateral total knee reconstruction.
Kirra
Kirra has been living with a spinal cord injury since the age of four. She was involved in a car accident and was left a paraplegic, specifically no movement or feeling in her legs and feet and mobilises full time in a wheelchair. She suffers from very poor circulation, low temperature, severe skin dryness, cracking and oedema of her lower legs and feet which have caused ulcers.
Just over a year ago Kirra fractured her left distal femur after a fall from her chair whilst on holidays. She had a full leg cast on for five months and presented to the clinic for assessment when the cast was removed. Her lower limb lymphoedema symptoms were quite significant at the time.
Prior to commencement of treatment, Kirra explained she had no expectations as nothing had worked previously.