Mother fighting cancer encouraging younger women

A husband, a toddler, graduate school and a cancer diagnosis; Crystal Montes was 31 years old when she found a lump in her breast.

Now fighting cancer, Crystal is encouraging younger women – those whose lives are so busy – to take charge of their health.

Crystal was on the fast lane, “juggling” like many working wives and mothers. Her orderly life turned topsy turvy when she found a pea-size lump.

Crystal is now dealing with Lymphedema, a swelling of her right arm, following a radical mastectomy and removal of 14 lymph nodes.

LINK: What is Lymphedema and how is it treated?

“If I overwork it, it starts to swell,” Montes said.

The human body has nearly 700 lymph nodes in the neck and groin area. Lymph nodes sometimes store cells that trap cancer. When they are removed, fluid builds up and the limb swells.

Thanks to a Vaso-Pneumatic pump, the lymphatic juices can start flowing again.

“It’s mobilizing lymphatic fluid that’s stuck in the arm,” Sandra Terrazas, Crystal’s physical therapist, “We do a manual lymphatic drainage to reroute fluid to areas of the body that do work.”

The fluid is eventually eliminated by the kidneys. Crystal also has to wear a compression sleeve and glove to help relieve pain.

There are also scars that aren’t so visible. “I did see a therapist and I think it helps with stress reduction,” she said, “It gets difficult.”

Crystal isn’t giving up. She has her husband and daughter to motivate her on her journey.

“Hopefully, I can start school again next year. Right now, it’s just treatment, working and family,” she said.