The Blessing of a Misdiagnosis

Well, I'm sure the title got your attention, however, no cause for concern because the misdiagnosis wasn't a big deal, I just couldn't find another word to use.

Disclaimer - The mention and noting of any kind of treatment or diagnosis pertains to only me, only my body, and only my experience. I am in no way sharing this information as a means to convey a diagnosis or what any woman should do or should try. Please consult your physician.

I've been wanting to get back into the gym for quite awhile. In 2019 after my second brain tumor surgery, I became even more anxiety ridden due to the condition of my vision.

I thought perhaps the best thing would be to hire a personal trainer, that way I could work out in the gym in my apartment building and go through training in the comfort of my own surroundings so to speak. I considered the cost but it would be worth it to have a routine in place to kickstart my goals.

I'll come back to the personal training in a minute.

My oncologist advised me that from time to time after my radiation treatment, I may experience little pin needle pings in my breast. These are indicative of the nerves waking up and healing and they are perfectly normal.

One night I felt more than a ping. It was a pain, like a pain that had me stop for a moment and press my hand against my breast as if to make it stop hurting. As I pressed my hand against my breast I felt areas of hardness.

I was able to see my oncologist the next day. Upon examination she claimed there was liquid that was sort of pooling in an area of my breast, causing a form of lymphedema. An indication of lymph liquid not draining properly. I had two lymph nodes removed during my lumpectomy, this could be an issue stemming from that.

She wasn't concerned, it is not serious, and it is a simple fix. The breast needs to be massaged to get the fluid distributed so it could properly drain. She asked me if I wanted her to make an appointment for me with a massage therapist.

Now in my mind, I'm not thinking anything clerical, clinical, or medical even. So, I declined the appointment, informing her that I can massage my own breast. Duh!

After about a week of massaging my breast, there was no relief, from the pain or the hardness.

I spoke to a good friend of mine, simply relaying an update on this journey, and she said, "Oh, yeah, a lymphatic massage." Uh, what?

Apparently it is a step by step process to perform a lymphatic massage, properly.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage plays a major role in lymphatic health. Lymphatic drainage is a massage-like technique that is used in a special sequence to move lymphatic fluid throughout the body or out of an area that is congested. Lymphatic health is essential to your immune and overall health.

Right!

I call my oncologist, tell her I have no idea what I'm doing and to please make an appointment for me with a massage therapist. Professionally known as a Lymphatic Massage Therapist.

This particular therapist specializes in breast cancer recovery, so along with the lymphatic system, she is fully accomplished in the care and health of breasts after treatments of chemo and radiation.

This is when I meet Annette, my Lymphatic Massage Therapist and ultimately she becomes my personal trainer of sorts. Personal Trainer!

Turns out I did not have a form of lymphedema. I had fibrotic tissue hardening. This is a common side effect of radiation treatment.

This type of breast massage requires the application of pressure to basically smooth out the hardness. She compared it to taking a stick of butter out of the fridge and pressing your thumb on it until it begins to soften under the pressure and heat from your skin. Not the quite same visually but I saw where she was going.

For the next six weeks, once a week, Annette would spend twenty minutes massaging my breast with a heavy amount of pressure in order to smooth out the hard clumps of "butter". A practice that I was also supposed to do once in the morning and once in the evening. Certain areas were a bit more painful than others, but I would just do some deep breathing with the presses and move through it. At home it was a different story. Sometimes with the exhale of the deep breath I would let out a little whimper.

During this six weeks she also gave me exercise bands to work with and free weights. We would have our twenty minute breast massage, followed up with twenty minutes of free weight lifting and exercise band routines. All of this to keep my lymphatic system flowing healthily.

On top of that I get to wear a massaging compression bra! 2-3 times a week. I call it my Kevlar vest.

Karena by Wear Ease

[click image on left for website]

Oh my gosh! This bra is extremely comfortable and feels so good on. My breast is being compressed with these tiny waves of massaging ripples. And it helps with my posture! I bought two more!

They are a bit expensive, like for real, but these are in the need column, not the want and I'm worth it,

At home using the exercise bands and free weights, I now have a portion of a workout routine set.

And there lies the blessing of the misdiagnosis. It was that first diagnosis that led me to Annette. I am so grateful to God for connecting me to her, she has helped me with the correct form and use of the bands and weights, which is what I have been wanting.

The best thing, I didn't have to come out of pocket for a personal trainer at a gym or hired independently, my insurance covered it.

And, I didn't have lymphedema!