Prince Albert resident Donna Braham thought her health problems were getting better when she received a mastectomy to stop the spread of breast cancer.
Instead, a few months later she developed lymphedema, a swelling in her right arm, the same side where the breast was removed.
When the breast was removed in January 2009, Braham had 14 lymph nodes removed with it as part of the surgery. In some cases, excess fluid builds up where the nodes were since the drainage system has been affected.
"It does impede everything I do. I can't do ordinary housework, like cleaning windows or vacuuming, that will make it swell," said Braham, pointing to her right arm.
"If you do anything strenuous to it, it swells."
Even with lymphedema being a possible side effect from various types of cancer treatments including radiation and surgeries, it sometimes develops on it's own.
There isn't very much information available and it can be difficult for patients to find information, said Eunice Mooney, president of the Saskatchewan Lymphovenous Learning Association (SSLA).
"Patients will go to one area, see one professional and get one viewpoint and they go to four or five places and they are all telling them different things. It is very confusing. It's part of SSLA's mandate to get this going and get the information out there," Mooney said.
"This is what's puzzling to me as a therapist ... One time they'll get what they need and the next time they won't."
The association is trying to increase information available about lymphedema and other conditions.
One of their first steps was having a proclamation signed in Prince Albert creating a Lymphedema Awareness Day. The proclamation was signed this week for a day to be recognized March 6.
The Ministry of Health covers only some treatments.
Braham must wear a compression brace on her arm, which she was able to get through the therapies department at Victoria Hospital.
The Saskatchewan Aids to Independent Living Compression Garment Program covers the cost of compression garments for people like Braham, but she is on her own for complex decongestive therapy.
"It's high maintenance ... It's expensive for the patient," said Braham, who receives the treatment from Mooney, a registered massage therapist and certified lymphatic therapist.
The hands-on treatment - called manual lymph drainage - moves the fluid that causes the swelling to a healthy area where there are lymph nodes, said Mooney.
Lymphedema treatments have come a long way since Mooney started working with them in 1993, she said.
"There is still a lot of inroads that have been made. We just have to keep doing it."
