Welcome Home EJP

I don't think we were ever taught anything about the lymphatic system in school, but after my surgery for breast cancer, they automatically sent me to the Lymphadema Center for preventive treatment. They teach you all about the lymphatic system, which is as extensive, and important, as the circulatory and nervous systems. The main difference between it and the circulatory system is that it has no PUMP (like the heart). It relies on muscle movement to push cellular waste fluid along channels with one way check valves. When that "pumping" is impaired, e.g. by disease or injury, the cells are still producing lymph fluid, but it can't go anywhere, thus the swelling of the impacted area.

Work hard, John, to get that reduced...do the exercises, and take care of yourself! Glad you are home, and hope this is only temporary.

P.S. I still wear a compression sleeve anytime I fly, and it's been 17 years...I was lucky and managed to avoid the swelling, and don't want to take any chances!
 
Dale, since I have been home a couple days rather than laying around the hospital with my feet propped up the swelling is going down a lot more than it was while in the hospital. The moving around is helping.
 
Few years back I was semi-incapaciated, lymphatic fluid leaking out of leg. Prescription, bed with leg elevated above the heart. I purchased a hospital type bed to do that.

I think the biggest thing to reduce the swelling and leaking lymphatic fluid was me getting out of bed and moving around.

John. Keep moving. Short walks several times a day will/should help.
 
They should be teaching you how to do a "lymph massage", too. It is to simulate the effects the muscles have, and was described as using light swirling motions to push the fluid toward the heart. They said do it like you are "frosting a cake", light, swirling movement from the foot toward the groin area, where there are a bunch of lymph nodes.

Take care and good luck!
 
John *.?-!.* cub owner":29ka1g5h said:
Dale, since I have been home a couple days rather than laying around the hospital with my feet propped up the swelling is going down a lot more than it was while in the hospital. The moving around is helping.
Click to expand...

I'll come over, John, and be sure you're moving around. I'll be pushing that little doorbell thingy......that'll get you moving. :o
 
T-Mo":28g9zasp said:
John *.?-!.* cub owner":28g9zasp said:
Dale, since I have been home a couple days rather than laying around the hospital with my feet propped up the swelling is going down a lot more than it was while in the hospital. The moving around is helping.
Click to expand...

I'll come over, John, and be sure you're moving around. I'll be pushing that little doorbell thingy......that'll get you moving. :o
Click to expand...
I shoot every 3rd person that rings that bell, and the 2nd one just left. :lol: :lol: :lol:
 
John *.?-!.* cub owner":2it1pbv4 said:
T-Mo":2it1pbv4 said:
John *.?-!.* cub owner":2it1pbv4 said:
Dale, since I have been home a couple days rather than laying around the hospital with my feet propped up the swelling is going down a lot more than it was while in the hospital. The moving around is helping.
Click to expand...

I'll come over, John, and be sure you're moving around. I'll be pushing that little doorbell thingy......that'll get you moving. :o
Click to expand...
I shoot every 3rd person that rings that bell, and the 2nd one just left. :lol: :lol: :lol:
Click to expand...

I'll let my nephew ring the bell first.
 
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