Well they scared the crap out of us

When women are diagnosed with breast cancer, they are brainwashed scared into thinking that they will get lymphedema and  end up with an arm the size of an elephants. If they have an axillary node dissection where a dozen or more lymph nodes are removed in the hunt for evil cancer cooties, they are given a list of rules for the rest of their life:

• do these stupid wall climbing exercises to make sure your arm doesn't swell up
• never allow anyone to take your blood pressure or stick any needles in that arm 
• never carry a shoulder bag or any bag on that arm that might compromise your circulation
• never lift anything heavy
• never injure your arm or fall on it.
• at any signs of swelling, contact your doctor.

And these are for the rest of your life.

Now they come out with a study which says "Breast Cancer Patients’ Fear of Developing Lymphedema Far Exceeds Risk". Well they scared the crap out of this with the 'rules' they gave us.  I even had a special session with a nurse to review everything about lymphedema. 

I was fine for about a year and a half and fell on my arm. Now I wear a stupid sleeve when I work out. I can't have needles or blood pressure taken on my left side. If I wear a watch on my left wrist, no matter how loosely, my arm feels heavy and swollen for days after.
 
So maybe they scared me, but they were right. Crap.