Lymphedema

5/26/22

The lymphatic system is a crucial part of the immune system, and also helps drain waste products out of the lymph network within various tissues. Lymphedema may develop due to cancer or cancer treatment that affects an arm or leg. As such, cancer patients often receive a special type of massage that encourages the flow of lymph fluid and drainage. When a person has lymphedema, however, the disease impairs the normal drainage of the lymph, which causes the fluids to build up and subsequent swelling and edema.

My feet are swollen. It’s difficult to walk so I’ve cut out my morning walks. The doctors want me to come in for blood work as they say this could be a sign of kidney failure. We’ll have to schedule that for next week as I simply do not have the energy to make the trip now.

I finally got some sleep. Literally slept nearly the entire day yesterday in 2 hour intervals. I’d wake up, use the restroom, and go back to sleep. I eventually woke around midnight and managed to get 2 more 2 hour sleep sessions in before waking this morning. I’m tired all the time. My legs feel like their weighted down. I’ve got some weird pain in my shoulder. It feels like I’m falling apart a piece at a time.

I went to Babylon the other day for carry out. I sat there at the bar waiting for my wings and looked around. This place I used to love held no interest for me. All I wanted to do was go back home. When my food arrived that’s exactly what I did. The longer this goes on the more content I am with becoming a recluse.

The battle continues and even though I’m physically drained I haven’t given up. June 7th is my next exam date. Hoping for the best and expecting the worst. That way I can’t be let down.