New Treatments - New Hope

I am learning alot about treating my lymphedema, and it is keeping me busy! The new therapist gives me hope about learning to live with the condition. She is very knowledgeable, and has a very comforting personality. I don't think she is much older than I am, but she almost feels "motherly" to me. I enjoy going for therapy. Right now I see her twice a week for 45 minutes and she works on my trunk and back primarily, teaching me massage techniques for my home program. Bryan has gone with me and has learned how to do the massage treatment on my back, which feels wonderful. He does this every night for me. I do massage on all the other areas everyday at home. In addition, my whole trunk is in compression down to the tops of my legs, as well as the arm that was originally compressed. I also have a left sleeve to wear when I clean, travel, garden, or do anything strenuous. I am limited to 15 lbs. lifting. The therapist is also using kinesio tape to relieve some pressure and pain (you've seen it on the women's volleyball team at the Olympics - they wore kinesio tape and not much else!). I am also doing skin care - specific lotions daily to soften the damaged skin - and drinking 6 - 8 glasses of water daily to dilute the lymph fluid.
Three days a week I go to the water therapy class for 45 minutes. I usually go right after the therapist's, because they are located close to each other. On the days I do therapy and water exercise, I am zonked! I plan to begin attending monthly support group meetings with other lymphedema people.
Right now I am trying to fit this all into a manageable schedule that still allows me to have a life. I have re-applied to graduate school for the fall of 2009, so I hope to have my routine down pat well before then. I am still fatigued from treatments and still have chest pain, so those are ongoing prayer requests. I have really good days, and then I have days where I don't know how I can live like this long-term, but I keep telling myself "one day at a time". I know it is in God's hands and He has a timetable for all of this.
Jan