Peg the Leg - Lymphedema: April 2013

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Update

Dear All,

We hope that this blog is still being used and read as intended: to help patients with lymphedema worldwide to get the best treatment for their condition.

Please note that further information can be found at Professor Corradino Campisi's website: www.lymphaticsurgery.org (in English by clicking the british flag at the top right)

Maybe we'll see you in Italy some time!

M & S

We have lymphedema. One right leg (Melissa) and one left (Shawn). Lymphedema occurs when the fluid and proteins that usually circulate under the skin are no longer removed by the lymph system. The fluid builds up and the leg (or arm) swells. Over time, as protein replaces the fluid content, the limb can become hard, heavy, and inflexible. Lymphedema is generally considered to be incurable and progressive. Not a word that you want to hear from your vascular surgeon!

After six months of research on different sides of the world, failed conservative treatments (stockings, pumps), and manual lymphatic massage, we both discovered that Professor Corradino Campisi's name came up repeatedly as the world authority on lymphatic diseases. A combined plane trip of over 45 hours led to our meeting in a B&B in Genova, Italy. Strangers at first but members of the same fat leg club, we embarked on a month of treatment, surgery, and many small mishaps in communication along the way. Thank god for italian hand gestures!

We decided to write this blog of our experiences at his treatment clinic as a guide for future patients so they could know where to come, what is involved, and other helpful hints to make the journey easier. The blog is written to present factual material in a humerous way, as sometimes a shared laugh was the only thing that got us through a rough patch.

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Update

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