Chemotherapy Case Study Essay
CASE DESCRIPTION:
The patient in this case study is a 68 year old spanish speaking female who was diagnosed with right inflammatory breast cancer on 8/27/15. The patient underwent chemotherapy from 10/30/15 to 4/15/16. A right sided simple mastectomy was performed on 5/31/16 and 4 sentinel lymph nodes were removed, 2 of which were positive. The patient began her physical therapy on 7/6/16, which was about two months after she finished her chemotherapy regimen. Radiation therapy began on 7/20/16 which was 2 weeks after her initial evaluation and ended on 8/17/16. Her radiation schedule consisted of 5 sessions a week for 6 weeks.
Upon entering the clinic the patient exhibited a shuffling gait pattern with the use of a front wheeled walker. The patient had restricted right upper quadrant mobility and severe bilateral foot neuropathy affecting both ambulation and balance. She reported that the neuropathy began 1 to 2 weeks after finishing her chemotherapy regimen. The patient was instructed …show more content…
The LYMQOL (lymphedema quality of life) questionnaire is a quality of life assessment tool whose purpose is to measure the quality of life of people who suffer from lymphedema. This assessment was given to all patients who were considered to a high risk for developing lymphedema.10 Since the patient had 4 sentinel nodes removed during her mastectomy she was considered to be high risk. The BERG balance test was used to assess her balance, and the pin prick test was used to assess the sensation of her feet.11,12 Regular arm circumferential measurements as well as L-dex readings were obtained throughout the course of treatment to monitor the development of lymphedema. The L-dex is a tool that measures bioimpedance in each limb and determines the level of difference between them.13 A difference of 10 points is considered to be high and warrants further
The patient in this case study is a 68 year old spanish speaking female who was diagnosed with right inflammatory breast cancer on 8/27/15. The patient underwent chemotherapy from 10/30/15 to 4/15/16. A right sided simple mastectomy was performed on 5/31/16 and 4 sentinel lymph nodes were removed, 2 of which were positive. The patient began her physical therapy on 7/6/16, which was about two months after she finished her chemotherapy regimen. Radiation therapy began on 7/20/16 which was 2 weeks after her initial evaluation and ended on 8/17/16. Her radiation schedule consisted of 5 sessions a week for 6 weeks.
Upon entering the clinic the patient exhibited a shuffling gait pattern with the use of a front wheeled walker. The patient had restricted right upper quadrant mobility and severe bilateral foot neuropathy affecting both ambulation and balance. She reported that the neuropathy began 1 to 2 weeks after finishing her chemotherapy regimen. The patient was instructed …show more content…
The LYMQOL (lymphedema quality of life) questionnaire is a quality of life assessment tool whose purpose is to measure the quality of life of people who suffer from lymphedema. This assessment was given to all patients who were considered to a high risk for developing lymphedema.10 Since the patient had 4 sentinel nodes removed during her mastectomy she was considered to be high risk. The BERG balance test was used to assess her balance, and the pin prick test was used to assess the sensation of her feet.11,12 Regular arm circumferential measurements as well as L-dex readings were obtained throughout the course of treatment to monitor the development of lymphedema. The L-dex is a tool that measures bioimpedance in each limb and determines the level of difference between them.13 A difference of 10 points is considered to be high and warrants further