Just wanted to say hi!

[JerseyGrl]

Hello all - I was diagnosed with lymphedema in 2000, but never really received any kind of treatment, except compression boots. My doctors really didn't seem to know much about it. I've changed doctors a few times because of moving, change in insurance, etc., and now I have a doctor who is also unfamiliar with lymphedema treatments, but actually did some research and found a specialist to refer me to who hooked me up with the right kind of treatment - after only 6 years! I really never pushed it before, because it was always relieved with a good 8-hour sleep. But now it has gotten much worse and I am actually 100 pounds heavier and have not changed my eating habits at all. It is in my legs - worse on the left and they just feel so heavy and I have a hard time functioning sometimes because I can't stand or walk for very long.

Anyway, I cried the first time I saw the National Lymphedema Network website and then again when I came across this board. After all this time, now being aware that I'm not a freak - there are actually other people out there with this condition that I can talk to and they can relate. I can't even put into words how it feels to have this kind of support now. There is so much more information out there now than there was even 6 years ago also.

So, I have been to the specialist and she is supposedly one of only two physicians in the entire state of New Jersey who specializes in lymphedema. That is kind of scary, but I'm glad she is close by. She was wonderful and has referred me for lymphedema treatment at a local hospital. The therapist there is also wonderful. I start my therapy on Monday and I am just so happy I can't stand it. I have so much more to talk about, but I think that's enough for now. I really should get home and get horizontal.

Wish me luck!!

[patoco]

Hi Jerseygrl

Just wanted to give you a super welcome to our family. So very glad you did discover us and joined.

No hun, don't ever think of yourself as a freak. We have a large large family out there. I have personally had lymphedema since I was born in 1952.

I know one of the docs in NJ personally, Dr. Kathleen Francis and she is wonderful. We have aquite a number of members here and in our Yahoo lymphedema groups that go to her.

Look forward to getting to know you, and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Best to ya

Pat O'Connor

[silkie]

Hey Jersey
Huge Welcome.
I cried to on my therapist shoulder its wonderful to find people that know
can help and advise .
2002 was my naming year My legs to left is worse

I Found Pat or should i say he found me and i had my lymph family
I was not alone amazing feeling.

The mld will help a lot to reduce your limbs its simply the best
there is nothing in my opinion reduces and helps our lymph limbs
as well as MLD and you can soon learn self massage and wrapping

The lymph family are a great help and support
and we laugh a lt to here on the messages
Pat and the info here are the best there is on the net baring none

Jersey its good to have a new family member

looking forward to hearing from you soon

Silks xxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Pat]

I too found this site a few weeks ago. I had surgery for Melanoma and had 2 nodes removed. From that surgery I have had mild lymphedema but on 11/7 will be having a complete lymph node dissection. I wanted to bite this lymphadema in the butt before it bit me. i found a PT that specializes ln MLD and went to her. She is teaching me MLND and bandaging and measured me for stockings. She said that she does not usually have the luxury of doing this before surgery.I am so happy that I found this site because if I had swelling from just 2 nodes I suspect quite a bit from this surgery.

[JerseyGrl]

Thanks for the welcome guys. That's amazing - Dr. Kathleen Francis is my doctor - she's great. What a small world..... That's one of the things I love about the internet - it really is a small world.