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CURED… BUT NOT YET HEALED

Claire Batten

“Cured, but not yet healed” is a spot-on description of how I feel about my treatment to date for early-stage breast cancer. It was a four-alarm fire during the early days of discovery and medical treatment. Thankfully, a year later, following surgery, radiation, and a commitment to 5-years of endocrine therapy, I am “cancer-free”. Halleluiah, but then why do I feel so rough most of the time? How do I get back to the state of good health I enjoyed before breast cancer struck?


As a dedicated gym-goer and sensible eater who doesn’t drink or smoke, I thought I would bounce back quickly—but I haven’t. I suffer from daily aches and pains in my joints and indiscriminate hot flashes: I am sixty and too old for this nonsense. I’ve been through a tough menopause already! Unfortunately, the joint pain is a side effect of the endocrine therapy prescribed as the standard treatment of care. But I plan to be around for the grandchildren, so will stick with my oncologist’s recommendations come what may.

Alongside the joint aches, I suffer from neuropathy in my hands as a result of the cancer treatment. Interestingly, I kept a daily diary during the first six months of my cancer treatment to map my progress. I counted the number of nights’ disturbed sleep I endured: Pins and needles and an irritating tingling sensation in both my hands and arms woke me up for 33 out of 68 nights in a row. I’d get up in the early hours and, like Lady Macbeth. frantically rubbed my hands together as if washing away the tingling in order to bring my hands back to life. One of the most important discoveries I made during this time is that this neuropathy can be treated! Acupuncture is just one of the modalities that has worked for me.


Acupuncture is just one of the modalities that has worked for me.

How did I get to the point that I am now publishing a website of resources to connect cording and lymphatic healers and practitioners?

During the summer of 2023, I recontacted my breast surgeon as the lymph node surgical site became infected. Little did I know that site infection is a risk factor that can trigger lymphatic cording (also known as Axillary Web Syndrome) I did some detective work and, realized that lymphatic cording was probably responsible for both my neuropathy and shoulder pain and stiffness. Thankfully, my breast surgeon pointed me in the direction of Pratt Physical Therapy – THE experts in breast rehabilitation therapy in the Charleston-area. The doctors at Pratt have taught me how to use physical therapy exercises, cups, and manual decongestive massage to address the cording. And then I started connecting all the dots. Pratt introduced me to Alala a groundbreaking enterprise helping women fighting cancer to source custom prostheses, bras and lymphedema supplies.

On the path back to wellness, I discovered there are many resources available to help counter lymphatic cording.

On the path back to wellness, I discovered there are many resources available to help counter lymphatic cording. In addition to leaning on the regular medical establishment, I am now supported by a host of complementary practitioners all in the Charleston area. Today I work with a personal trainer, nutritionist, chiropractor, acupuncturist and of course Pratt and Alala. I feel supported by an army of experts.

Suddenly, things look so much brighter. I wanted to share my experience and as a thank you to these experts collate a resource book for others who are looking to heal themselves post-cancer treatment.

I am not a doctor, I am not an expert, I have no commercial relationship with any of the companies or individual practitioners listed on this site. I am simply sharing my story.

To plagiarize a term used by the gals at Alala… 


Warrior on!




PLEASE NOTE:

I am not a doctor or medical professional, just a breast cancer warrior who is sharing her story.


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