Lymphedema
By Chevee
@Chevee (5905)
United States
August 26, 2008 1:02pm CST
Lymphedema is an unusual accumulation of lymph fluids in the tissues of the arms or legs of a patient due to a malfunction of, or injury to, the lymphatic system.
My sister has this disease of deformity, one of her legs gets real big, at first she didn't know what is was, all she knew was her leg was swollen it started giving her a lot of problems so she went to the doctor they gave her medicine for it but it didn't get better. It got so bad once she ended up in the hospital, and a special doctor was assign to her and that's when she found out what is was. He sent her to a specialist in that field or a clinic and they taught her how to take care of it. How to wrap it in special bandages to keep the swelling at a minimum it will never be normal. She couldn't even wear shoes on that foot. I am always searching the internet, so searching I went and I found this site that specializes in shoes for hard to fit feet. She sent off for one of their catalogs, ordered her a pair of shoes, and she was so proud that she had a pair of shoes that would fit and cover her feet, one shoe was too big but she could tolerate that. She also have to wear support hose, those hose cost her around $120.00 a pair. So off we went searching again and we got those down to $60.00. In the mean time she never let her condition get her down, she is like a die hard battery she just keeps going and going and going, some time it knocks her off her feet and she has to lie down. But she gets back up and start going again.
Do you know anyone with a deformity or disease..And they refuse to let it get them down or get the best of them?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@ladym33 (10978)
• United States
26 Aug 08
I do one lady, but she only has a slight limp and she is as active and as happy as anyone could be. I am glad your sister does not let it get her down, and that she was able to find a company that specializes in that kind of foot wear. Thank you also for the information about this condition. I wish you and your sister all the best.
2 people like this
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
27 Aug 08
Hi Cjevee,
J have never heard of that disease and I'm really proud of your sister how she is coping with it and not let it get her down, she is very brave girl and I wish her all the best.
Tamara
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@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
27 Aug 08
Hi Chevee,
Thank you for giving me best response, you are good to me so here is a big from me HUGSSSSSSSS
Tamara
2 people like this
@JoyfulOne (6231)
• United States
27 Aug 08
Hi Chevee. Sorry to hear about your sister. I also have lymphedema and have had it for 6 years now. Mine was from removal of lymph nodes during cancer surgery. I joined an online support group and learned about doing lymph massage, along with the compression and all, and now I still swell but at least it's more controllable. (I can even wear my regular shoes again!!) I am like your sister in that I refuse to let my medical conditions get me down. I'm a cancer survivor who got lots & lot of new conditions to live with (for the rest of my life) due to the treatments that I received for a year. My family members are all the same way, we don't let these things get us down and just keep sluggin' away at life. We choose to be happy despite our ailments, depression gets you nowhere except an even lower quality of life. Best wishes to your sister, she has a 'survivors attitude'. I salute that in a person because they're living their life with a glass half-full mentality rather than a glass half-empty one.
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