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Testimonials

14 March 2001

I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in November 1996. I had a Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction in December 1996. From January - July 1997 I underwent Chemotherapy treatment. From October - January 1998, I had Radiation treatment. The final part of the reconstruction was performed in March 1998.

My prognosis was good. My checkups have continued to be good. Unfortunately, I woke up one morning with Lymphodema. I saw my surgeon, Dr. Deborah Kerlin, the same day and was diagnosed. Dr. Kerlin's instructions were to exercise great care with my right arm. I was never to lift anything over 5 pounds. I was never to have an injection in my right arm, nor have blood pressure taken on my right arm. Dr. Kerlin sent me to a nearby pharmacy where I was fitted with a compression sleeve and hand gauntlet.

For the next two years, I wore the sleeve every day. It was the first thing I put on in the morning and the last thing I took off at night. I was lucky; the swelling in my hand went down after one year and did not return. I stopped wearing the hand gauntlet after the first year. My right arm was painful, every day, for two years. The pain was lessened by wearing the compression sleeve, but not eliminated. Sleeping was difficult. I could not wear the compression sleeve at night and, due to the pain, had poor sleeping habits.

I began the SuperSlow exercise program with Mr. Gary Lindahl in the summer of 2000. Within one month, the pain was significantly reduced. Within two months, I was able to leave off the compression sleeve for 3-4 days at a time. Now, after 8 months of the SuperSlow program, I am completely pain free. The swelling in my arm has gone down significantly. The only difference in the size of my arms is the area slightly above the elbow. My right arm is 1" larger in that area. I am sleeping through the night.

I now only wear the sleeve as a precaution. I flew to New York in November 2000 and wore a sleeve for both flights and my first two days in New York. High altitude and hot temperatures can exacerbate Lymphodema. I had no increase in pain or swelling during or after the flight to New York nor on the return flight.

My Oncologist, Dr. Matthew Sirott of the Comprehensive Cancer Center in Walnut Creek, CA has been cognizant of my participation in the exercise program and has heartily supported my efforts. Today, I feel normal. I am free of pain. I am free from wearing the compression sleeve. I lift normal things such as books, grocery bags, laundry, bags of soil for the garden; in fact, anything I want to lift.

The Lymphodema isn't gone. I still have the restrictions concerning injections and blood pressure, but, the SuperSlow program has changed the quality of my life. I have every intention of remaining with this exercise regimen for the rest of my life.

Sally N.

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