Hi Rachael,

Welcome to Cancer Chat. I had a little chuckle to myself when you described the problems with your medical compression suit. It was very brave of you to even try to wear it so soon after surgery. I have bilateral Lymphoedema in both arms and hands. I wear compression sleeves from my shoulders to my finger tips and it has taken me 6 years to get one that I can wear, without leaving weals on my upper arm. I have had to remove them after a few hours at times, because my arms were so sore.

Just three months ago, I finally got one that is relatively comfortable and I can wear it all day. I have had a double mastectomy and there is lymphoedema in both limbs. I also have manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) every 12 weeks for 2 weeks. This involves two visits a week to the Lymphoedema clinic where I receive MLD and then have both arms bandaged right down to my finger tips. I look like the Michelin Man for these wo weeks and get some very strange looks from people.

Having taken so long to get something which fits properly, I was just thinking how brave you were to try yours on so soon!!

Can you not get your garment on the NHS? It might be worth asking your cancer nurse. I get my sleeves supplied on prescription  roughly every 6 months.

Isn't it funny how the simplest things can catch us out? When I had my first lot of compression bandages applied, my hubby thought that it would be nice to take me out for llunch. We went to a lovely Italian restaurant. What I hadn't realised was that the bandages were so tight that I couldn't raise my arm to feed myself. My hubby fed me, but I've never felt more embarrassed!! It is simple to avoid this dilemma by bending my arms slightly when they are being bandaged and, I've made sure that I do this every time since!

You are still early days after your op, but it should soon start to heal.

Please keep in touch. There is always someone here whenever you feel like talking.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thinking of you and wishing you well.

Hi Rachel,

If you needed it urgently, you would think that the hospital might have been able to supply the suit urgently. However, that is past now, but it might be worth looking in to getting another one from the NHS, as given my experience, it might take you some time to get one that fits properly.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx