Category: Reflections
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Like excess lymphatic fluid massaged from swollen tissue, The Lymphie Life is back in circulation — and we have lots… Read more.
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Another surgery delay has left me reeling yet again. Here’s how I’m practicing lymphatic acceptance amidst all the changes. Read more.
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Back in March, my upcoming lymphedema surgery seemed impossibly far away. Then, all of a sudden, it was here. And… Read more.
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At the end of March, I was somewhere I never expected I’d be: Sitting in an exam room at the… Read more.
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Never ignore your lymphie intuition. Here’s how being proactive and advocating for myself kept me out of the hospital. Read more.
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It’s been ten years without alcohol and a lifetime with lymphedema. The key to both, I’ve found, is to keep… Read more.
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Reflections from your local lymphedema blogger, after a decade of writing. Read more.
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The 2019 NLN Conference was full of amazing information. Here are five of my biggest takeaways. Read more.
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What’s worse: no one offering me a seat, or me not speaking up for myself while I’m in pain? How… Read more.
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F.A.Q.s
What is lymphedema?
Lymphedema is swelling caused by a buildup of lymph fluid, usually in an arm or leg, when the lymphatic system can’t drain properly. It’s a chronic condition, but with the right care, it can be managed well.
What causes lymphedema?
It can be primary (something you’re born with, due to how your lymph vessels developed) or secondary (caused by something else, like surgery involving lymph node removal, radiation, infection, or trauma).
Is there a cure for lymphedema?
There’s currently no cure, but you can help ease symptoms through compression therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, exercise, and skin care. Some patients may also be candidates for surgical options.
How do I know if I have lymphedema, or if it’s something else?
The telltale sign is persistent swelling in a limb (or another area) that doesn’t go away with rest or elevation. You may have a feeling of heaviness, tightness, or “fullness” in the affected area, as well as hardening or thickening of the skin.
Lymphedema can sometimes develop slowly, even months or years after surgery or cancer treatment, so any new or unexplained swelling is worth mentioning to your doctor.