FEAR

About a month ago, if I were to sit down in front of my computer to write this, I would experience an underlying feeling of waiting for that distant day in the future when I would never be able to manage a keyboard again. Not only do I rely on this tool for my livelihood, but I truly enjoy it as well. Sometimes these fingers become so swollen that it just seems impossible that it is happening to me so quickly and it is a truly scary feeling. 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.

FRUSTRATION

I developed Lymphedema just over three years ago after a car accident. The first trip to the doctor's office to find out what was causing this swelling resulted in a referral to an orthopedic specialist, a referral to a vascular specialist and many unanswered questions. After a few months the general physician concedes that you are diagnosed with Lymphedema and there's not a whole lot you can do about it. Well, if that sounds familiar, you're right. I hear that part over and over from so many fellow Lymphedema friends. I couldn't sit back and think that there is absolutely nothing I could do for myself so I started exploring the Internet to conduct my own research program, Luckily, this led me to the NLN web-site and much more information.

COMMITMENT

This is how I started my therapy of manual lymph drainage (aka CDP), wrapping and compression garments, This seemed like a good thing but, boy, did this require a commitment on my part, so when I heard about this nifty little compression pump that I could use at night, that sure did seem like a simpler solution. So on I went for the next two years taking the easy way out. Not only did I see no reduction whatsoever, the arm was getting much larger and, although I did not know it, I was developing fibrosis tissues (hardening) throughout my hand and arm. Let me assure you, what I thought was the easy way out was worsening my condition. (No wonder I was experiencing difficulty with the use of my fingers!)

HOPE

Springtime rolled around this year and I made myself promise to take some action on my condition. I remembered purchasing a Lighthouse Lymphedema Cookbook a couple of years ago and I thought that might be a great place to start. So after an initial call to Joan White, I hung up the phone and quietly anticipated the upcoming April Lighthouse Lymphedema Support Group Meeting. After attending the first meeting, I left there with a new sense of hope and inspiration. The very next day I began MLD therapy and wrapping. In two weeks, the swelling has come down dramatically, I have learned much of what I need to become self-sufficient for both self massage, exercise and wrapping, and most of all, I have reaffirmed my commitment to my treatment. Although I like to maintain a sense of reality and not get my hopes up, I secretly tell my closest family and friends that this is truly a miracle.

ENCOURAGEMENT AND THANKS

As I sit down to my computer today, I can be hopeful that a day will come when we no longer will live in fear and uncertainty, and instead live with the hope that we can reach out and educate and encourage our fellow lymphedema patients. By working together, we will gain acceptance throughout the medical community. We will fight for the insurance coverage that is so desperately needed and we will let those afflicted with this condition know that there is a light at the end of this tunnel. For me, this light has been the one shed by the Lighthouse Lymphedema Network. I look forward to meeting many more of the Lighthouse Support Group members at the upcoming meetings and events.