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The Lymphie Life

On the Train

Alexa Ercolano

May 1, 2011

Reflections

Hello, lymphies!

I am writing this from the train, as I’m going home visit my family for a few weeks. The ride from Burlington, VT, to Baltimore, MD, takes about twelve hours.. I got five down, and only about seven more to go!

I didn’t wear a compression garment for the trip, although I know that I should have. I did, however, fashion a nice little footrest by stacking my luggage, so at least I’m keeping my leg elevated! What sort of things do you do while traveling with lymphedema? How do you keep it under control?

Once I get home, I think I’m going to write a post of travel tips. Tell me yours!

As always, I hope you’re doing well!
<3

Written by

Alexa Ercolano

Alexa is a writer, book hoarder, and cat enthusiast from Baltimore, MD. By day, she works in the marketing and communications department for a large health system; by night, she runs The Lymphie Life. Learn more about her here!

3 responses to “On the Train”

Jim Miller

May 1, 2011

Alexa – Count yourself pretty lucky. I could never get by without wearing a compression garment. Never. Especially while traveling (all that sitting). When I travel it’s important to maintain compression all day. My custom Juzo that comes up to my waist does that just fine. Then I do some MLD at night before bed. And if I can, I elevate the bed (not too easy in a hotel.)

The right leg, now that’s a different story. It just started suffering from LE a couple of years ago. I keep a knee-high dress sock from Juzo or Jobst on it many days when I’m wearing jeans or slacks. And some days (more often now) I wear a thigh-high from Juzo to keep the right leg from ever looking like the left.
When traveling I bring a prescription of antibiotic just in case a bug bite or scratch wants to get infected and I get cellulitis.

Heat and humidity seem to cause problems, too. I’m generally okay for a few days and then I really have to watch for greater swelling around the 4th or 5th day. Keeping things wrapped and massaged seems to do the trick.

Also, have you noticed a delayed reaction – swelling showing up after the travel or after the humidity? Maybe that’s why I seem to have problems after 3-4 days?

So:
Bandage, massage, prescriptions for bites or cuts, elevation if you can get it. That’s what I do when I travel.

Enjoy your train ride and your time at home.

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Barbara Pilvin

May 1, 2011

Hey, have a good time! That sounds like a fun vacation. I love trains…take them every chance I get. One piece of advice: ALWAYS (during waking hours, that is, not while you’re asleep or showering, bathing or swimming) wear compression garments. Elevating your legs while traveling is also good…anything that will keep that lymphatic fluid moving up ‘n’ out! I know, you don’t like having to wear those things. Getting in the habit of wearing them now, while you’re young, might prevent the lymphedema from becoming horribly severe later on. It’ll also remind you that you have to keep the disease in mind, and will remind others that they need to accommodate you if you let them know that you need to be able to extend or elevate your legs.

So have fun…and Osama is dead!!! (For real!)

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alexae67

May 2, 2011

Ahh, you guys are scaring me! I don’t do nearly enough as I should in terms of management. I know that I should but.. ugh. I’m too lazy. I also get too embarrassed to wear it in public. I appreciate your feedback, though, and when I write my travel post I’ll be sure to include it (with credit, of course!).

Does it really get worse as you get older? That’s something I’ve always worried about. I guess I should use that fear as motivation to wear my garment more often, huh? Haha.

Thanks again for the comments! You guys are like my regulars, I love it :) It’s nice to get a response when I post new things!

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