About That Gauntlet....

OMG!! I did get the call that the Gauntlet was in and I went and bought it.

I am supposed to acclimate to it by starting to wear it in bits at a time. Unfortunately, I can only wear this for MAYBE 30 minutes. At the end of that time, my thumb is NUMB and it is simply way TOO uncomfortable.

I called the fabulous Marilyn, my lymphedema specialist and we discussed the problem. Because I have NOT had a problem yet she did say we could try a size larger (even though small IS the size my hand fits for), but to watch if I do have a problem because the larger size may not be adequate to keep my hand in the right pressure.

The thing is, the gauntlet I bought was $36. The other brand she recommended - in small - costs $50. I have to get another sleeve at $50 AND I will need to get TWO gauntlets as well. So I would prefer to not pay $200 if I can pay only $172 for what I am supposed to wear. (ONLY $172!!)

Now, my sweet little husband was of the mind that I don't really need a gauntlet anyway. I mentioned this to Marilyn who told me the reason I DO want a gauntlet is in the event of a "lymphedema attack," if you will, which is something that sooner or later WILL happen, I will end up with a normal sized arm because I will have been wearing the sleeve and a HUGE BIG SWOLLEN PUFFY lymphedema fat hand. And that once an area becomes congested it takes a L-O-N-G time to decongest an area. I will need to wear the sleeve and gauntlet ANY and every time I get on an airplane, go to a higher elevation (not as in from the 53 foot elevation of my home to the huge elevation of 100 feet, but to the mountains, say Denver... whatever), and when doing repetitive movements such as exercise, lots of typing (OOPS!), etc.

So - today on my list is run by and talk to the people about a different size of gauntlet vs the more expensive BRAND of gauntlet, etc.

The sleeve was not that big a deal to accustom myself to wearing, I am hoping that a different gauntlet will be the same - a relatively minor inconvenience as opposed to PAIN and amputating my thumb!!!

Thus far, I have had four actual radiation treatments and have had no problems. I'll take that!! Mind you, down the road it could - okay probably WILL change. However, after chemo - this will be a much easier experience!!

More later!!