Lymphedema/Fun Before Chemo #5

I have had a little bit of a setback. I have been diagnosed with lymphedema, which is a result of having lymph nodes removed from under my right arm during my surgery. Seven of twelve nodes were cancerous; twelve were removed for the testing.
Lymphedema is a condition where the lymph fluids cannot move through the arm correctly - it is like a "traffic jam" of lymph fluid in my right arm and hand. There is no cure for lymphema - it is a lifetime condition that has to be managed to be kept under control. The arm swells and dries out, and if not controlled, the swelling remains permanent and the skin turns hard.
Monday I am to be fitted for a compression sleeve that goes from my shoulder down to my hand with sections that cover my fingers down to my second knuckles. I will also be taught how to do massage therapy to help move the fluids to other parts of my body. I am to wear this sleeve during all waking hours throughout the rest of my chemo and radiation - until March. Then I will try to wean myself from the sleeve. It still needs to be worn when I do housework, gardening, exercising, on long car trips and for airplane travel. I also cannot use hot tubs, saunas, hot baths or hot showers, and heat and sun are to be avoided. Repetitive movements, such as computer, mandolin, and piano may aggravate the condition. Gloves have to be worn for all housework and dishwashing. Any scratches or bug bites have to be reported to the doctor. I can lift nothing over 15 pounds with my right arm. Manicures are out.
Needless to say, I was very discouraged to hear that many of the things I enjoy doing may have to be foregone or at least done only moderately. The specialist told me that some people have to wear these sleeves continually for the rest of their lives, but I am praying that that will not be the case for me. I am hoping that if I wear the sleeve diligently throughout the rest of my treatments, I can get the condition under control and then use the sleeve as needed.
I have had some good cries this weekend, but I am determined to "get over it" and move on and do what I have to do.
Please pray that I will be able to manage this without making the sleeve a permanent part of my everyday life.
On a much lighter note, my fun before chemo #5 is that my mom is having our Thanksgiving tomorrow, on Sunday, when I will have the most energy and the best taste buds. I have my next chemo on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, so it would be more difficult for me to really enjoy the day. I think it is great of my whole family to do this for me!
Happy Thanksgiving!