I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, and had surgery including all 14 of my lymph nodes removed as they were cancerous. Of course, I had the chemo, radiation, Herceptin, Zemeta, etc. My cancer treatment was ongoing for three years.

I was relieved to get rid of my lymph nodes, in fact, to get rid of anything that was endangering my life. I was slim and kept myself active, so I was doing all the right things. However, a year after my surgery, my lymphoedema started. I was given a standard compression sleeve for my arm and no other advice really and sent on my way!

I researched for myself and started attending appointments with a private manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) therapist. She was brilliant and gave me so much advice, treatment and self-care tips. She ordered made-to-measure compression arm sleeves and gloves for me, did MLD and suggested I would benefit from PenV antibiotics as I kept having cellulitis flare-ups.

It took a long time to get a safety net in place - my doctor was not good at ordering my compression garments correctly or providing advice on lymphoedema as 'it was a specialist area', which was frustrating.

And then along came Patient Choice - my knight in shining armour! They took all my prescription details, ordered my made-to-measure arm sleeves [Jobst Elvarex] direct from the manufacturer and were able to offer me much more appealing colours than the flesh-coloured ones, which had been my only option previously. And they delivered my garments direct to me at home!

Lymphoedema is not something anyone wants to deal with, but it comes with the territory of breast cancer, and with the right help and support it is very manageable. Patient Choice has been my saviour and I just wish I had found them sooner!

Of course, I wish I had never had cancer, not one that was so aggresive and I wish I didn't have lymphoedema. But I am alive, fit and healthy! My [compression] glove and arm sleeve are a constant reminder that I have metaphorically dodged a bullet and to make the most of the years I have left! 🩷