Lighthouse Lymphedema Network: Human Interest Stories


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Human Interest Stories Overview Learn more about the personal lives of persons who live with Lymphedema. Hear of their struggles and joys. Find out what it is like to live with this disease. If you have a lymphedema story to share we would love to include it here. Send your story to Libbie Sanders. My Life with Lymphedema Pat O'Connor I was born in 1952 and almost from birth I experienced leg swelling. Like most people, I was taken from hospital to hospital as the doctors tried to figure out and diagnose what was wrong with me. My life is an example of what can happen when lymphedema is incorrectly treated, or not treated at all. But it is also, I hope, an example of what you can do and what a full and exciting life you can have, even with lymphedema. Debulking Treatment For Lymphedema Is Pointless! Julia Pottenger Shortly after moving to Houston, Texas, in May of 1977 I discovered a lump under my arm. I think knowing there are other people with this condition has helped me emotionally. For a long time, I did not want to go out in public because I felt like a freak. Now, I feel like I am ready to challenge the world and become an advocate for lymphedema.
My Lymphedema Journey Margaret Macchia Sometimes these fingers become so swollen that it just seems impossible that it is happening to me so quickly... We sometimes tend to get caught up in our day-to-day activities and, in fact, I let two years slip by me before I realized just how much my Lymphedema was worsening.
Gloria Watts-Cox Gloria's problems with lymphedema began shortly after she and Lee were married. In the early 90s, as her swelling increased so did the lung and bladder problems, along with severe bouts of cellulitis. She was seen by a number of doctors, but her diagnosis of primary lymphedema was made too late to reverse the progression and damage to her internal organs. At least, there was finally a reason for her weight gain.
The Maiden Family Having children with lymphedema has affected our lives tremendously, we have suffered as parents emotionally, physically, and financially. We have taken our children to three different children's hospitals, numerous doctors' appointments and countless visits for physical therapy. Even through all the stress and feeling so helpless and alone, we have experienced pure love and joy with our children as well. Their smiles keep us going another day and we are thankful for that.
Annie Taylor of Atlanta, BAG Recipient Annie Taylor was dianosed in October, 1999, with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma . . . She developed lymphedema in her right arm and left leg as a result of the disease and subsequent treatment . . .
Primary Lymphedema Patients Sarah Danison, age 10, woke up on December 14, 2004, with swelling in her left ankle and foot . . .
Carson Sollenberger By Lisa Sollenberger, mother Although Carson was only one week old when I began my efforts to get a diagnosis for his swollen leg, it took a FULL YEAR - and the Children's Hospital of Boston - before he was diagnosed with Congenital Lymphedema. Because of the delay in his diagnosis, his right leg was 64% larger than his left leg at the time of his initial evaluation by a lymphedema therapist at age 15 mos. This placed him in the "Severe" category.

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