Living With Lymphedema

At 51 years old it just dawned on me that I have lived with a disease or “dis-ease” almost all my life, and it has never stopped me from living my life to the fullest. At 9 years old my mother noticed that my left foot was pronounced with swelling regularly. She sought out a Podiatrist that diagnosed me with what was called “Inheritance Swelling”. Still not exactly explaining what that meant, my mother was instructed to keep my foot wrapped securely with an ace bandage, while making sure all my shoes were lace up shoes that would support my ankle. From that experience I knew I was different.

As I became a teenager the swelling in my left foot and leg were very pronounced. Like any young girl, asthetics became important to me so I was extremely self-conscience of my left leg being much larger than my right leg. I never wore dresses or skirts. I would only have the courage to do so whenever the leg wasn’t so swollen. People would still notice and would bring it to my attention by saying “oooh your leg is swollen”. As if I didn’t already know.

In my 30’s, now a working mother, I had been coping well with this “disease”. Unfortunately, the Edema or swelling was more evident in both feet and legs on a chronic basis especially after a full day of standing or walking on the job. Yet I was determined not to let this slow me down. Suddenly, in 1994 another symptom of this condition revealed itself. I experienced an episode of “Cellulitus of my left leg” an infection that causes red patches on the leg along with a dangerous fever of 103 degrees. I was ultimately hospitalized for 10 days on antibiotics.

Finally, after many test I learned I had Lymphedema or Milroy’s Disease. The condition is a buildup of fluid in the fatty tissue under the skin causing swelling or edema of the limbs. There is no known cure for Lymphedema only treatments of the symptom which is the swelling.

I have maintained my symptom with a simple regiment that keeps the edema under control. I elevate my legs whenever possible. I wear compression stockings to keep the legs from expanding (which helps circulation). I also drink one cup of roasted dandelion tea a day. The tea acts as a natural diuretic, allowing the body to release excess water. Frequent exercise and eating smart also helps. Especially for me, I love to dance! Living with this disease has taught me that no one is born perfect, and some of our imperfections are more obvious than others, but it does not change who we are or what we are destined to do .