Improving Your Quality of Life

In April 2021, Patty Moyher of Bowie, Maryland was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Patty, who has worked as a customer service representative for Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC) since 2008, met with Lorraine Tafra, MD, a former breast surgeon at LHAAMC, to talk about her options.

“She gave me the confidence that I was going to be okay,” Patty says of Dr. Tafra.

Patty decided to get a bilateral mastectomy. This is the surgical removal of both breasts. She also had her lymph nodes removed.

After surgery, she did not need chemotherapy or radiation. Instead, she decided to get lymphedema therapy. Lymphedema therapy addresses the swollen tissue in the arms and chest. This often occurs after the removal of lymph nodes.

“As lymphedema specialists, we are tasked to treat the whole patient,” says Rhonda Fowler, PT, the oncology rehab program coordinator. “After completing a comprehensive evaluation and individualized treatment plan, we usually focus on the main tenets of care: manual lymph drainage, multi-layer compression bandaging, skin care and therapeutic exercise.”

Patty receives lymphedema therapy twice a week.

“I get a massage to help with the fluid build up, and afterwards I feel relaxed and relieved. It helps with daily functions. I can go to the gym and not feel so tight,” Patty says.

LHAAMC offers rehabilitation services to all cancer patients to improve the quality of life. If you would like to learn more, please click here.