compression mask

[Donna915]

Hi,
I am a primary caregiver to my mom who has recently completed cancer treatments for SCC of the tongue. She had 31 treatments of IMRT, 8 sessions of Erbitux, then brachytherapy surgery and a left neck dissection. Recently she has been diagnosed with lymphedema of her face and neck. She has begun therapy treatments, and today came home with her mask. I missed the appt, my dad went with her. I don't understand the mask. I am also having a hard time with the massage technique. If anyone can offer some advice, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks so much for your help.
Donna

[Cassie]

Hi, Donna,

How frustrating! But your Mom is lucky to have you so involved and concerned. I do hope you'll be able to contact her lymphedema therapist and be shown how to do the head and neck massage. It is very calming and wonderful, besides obviously helping to drain the excess fluid away. It's important to be shown by someone familiar with it, as both the order of the massage and the specific pressure and hand movements are important to do correctly for best effect.

I'm not sure what you don't understand about the mask. How to put it on? When to use it? What its purpose is? Most often a mask is worn at night to keep swelling down and is usually not needed during the day when gravity helps.

I hope you get real help quickly, as lymphedema is a steep learning curve and it can be very frustrating to try and figure it all out.

Big, gentle hugs for both you and your Mom,
Cassie

[Tina Hammond]

Hi Donna,
Just read your concerns about the mask, etc, for your mother. Cassie's response is absolutely correct, and I would add that you might also ask your lymphedema therapist about kinesiotape, which can be used day &/or night. It looks a bit strange, also, but not as confining as the mask might be. There are also facial exs that your Mom can do to assist lymph flow thru the muscle pump, so ask the therapist about that as well. And don't panic about the massage so much..... we all do it a little bit differently, but there are some specifics that do need to be followed for the optimal results. It does come easier with time and practice. We all had to learn the same way, I promise you!
Thank you for taking such great care of your mother!! What a blessing you are to her, I'm sure!! Keep up the good work!!
Tina