A few weeks ago I heard about a lymphedema patient here in the US and I knew at that time that I had to share her story with you.
Jennifer had lymphedema of her right leg for over ten years. She had Complete Decompression Therapy (CDT), she wore compression garments during the day, and her night time compression garments at night. No matter how hard she tried and no matter how compliant she was her lymphedema progressed. She began searching for a surgeon who had the expertise to do lymph node transplants. Jennifer found her surgeon in New York.
Jennifer had the surgery 2 years ago in May. They removed 3 lymph nodes from the left thorax (not axilla) and transplanted them to the right groin. A year later she had a Lymph MRI which showed the lymph nodes which were transplanted and the very beginnings of lymph vessels. This was really exciting!
In March of this year she had her 2nd MRI. There were actually 5 lymph nodes in her right groin including the 3 transplanted nodes. Two lymphatic vessels were connected and growing. The vessel was about 1 mm in diameter and reaches half way down to the knee! Her physician considered this likened to a Highway! Her foot is no longer as swollen as it was and the ankle is beginning to show some shape. The tissue is beginning to soften, the fluid is movable and mushy, and the tissue no longer feels fibrotic.
Jennifer has progressed to bike rides, long walks and swimming. The physicians are considering a second lymph node transplant to the ankle area and some minor liposuction to remove fat deposits on the outside of the leg which was a result of the lymphedema. Jennifer also continues with MLD message therapy (Manual Lymphatic Drainage) to wake up the newly transplanted nodes and encourage the growth of new vessels. The MRIs she has had done are very valuable to the therapist because they visualize the lymph nodes and vessels and the therapist knows exactly where the fluid needs to be moved.
Her problems are definitely not ended, but there is now hope that someday she may lead a normal life.
To aide patients like Jennifer, Support Hose Plus is proud to offer a complete product line in compression stockings. As a family owned company, Support Hose Plus strives to offer you the best prices and the highest quality of customer service.
Looking forward to more news in the field of Lymphedema,
Vanda
www.supporthosestore.com
1-800-515-4271
Filed under: CDT (Complete Decompression Therapy), Compression Stockings, Lymph Node Transplant, Lymphedema, MLD (Manual Lymphatic Drainage), night time compression garment |
Thanks for sharing such a good thought, piece of writing is nice, thats why i have read it entirely
Thank you so much!!
Vanda,I have lymphedema in my right leg,groin,private area,left hip and top left leg resulting from testicular cancer,removal of left testicle,and resulting radiation in 1994.After heart and kidney transplant, it kicked in in 2008.It is such a depressing thing.I can not go and do what I would like.I would like the information to share with my Doctors at Mayo Clinic.Thank you.
Hi Mitch,
Thank-you for requesting the link. I hope I did not mislead anyone. The blog is MY LYMPH NODE TRANSPLANT – One woman’s quest for better health…living with lymphodema by a woman named Helen and believe it or not, she is in Australia! She has a terrific blog and keeps up with many lymphedema suffers who are sharing their experience. Helen has also had lymph node transplant. Jennifer had the lymph node transplant in New York. Her surgeons were Dr. Corrine Becker, Dr. J. Lavine and Dr. Julie Vasile. Dr. Becker is the French surgeon who pioneered the procedure.
Here are the links (just copy and paste them into your address line on your browser):
http://lymphnodetransplant.wordpress.com/2013/05/07/two-years-after-lymph-node-transfer-in-new-york/
http://lymphnodetransplant.wordpress.com/2013/06/04/exciting-news-from-new-york-nodes-are-growing/?goback=%2Egde_2259361_member_246554491
Oh, yes, I wanted to mention besides all our compression stockings, we also have the Circaid Juxta Lite by Medi for night time wear (arms and legs). These are not on the website, but call customer service at 1-844-472-8807 and one of our specialist will return a call.
Thank-you and I hope you can find some help,
Vanda
Vanda, Thank you for sharing this information. Those of us with lymphedema really need to hear positive news like this. I would like to know more about this procedure.
This is great news for people plagued with fluid retention – now if only
the support hose industry sold support hose for short people – I am
5′ 3″ and have to fold down the tops of my support hose and also use
a wide elastic band to hold them up – this makes my knee then retain
fluids. Where do I find shorter support hose???
Hello,
Thank you for leaving your comment. We do have stockings for people who are 5’3″. You should NEVER fold the top of the stocking or use a elastic band which becomes a tourniquet to hold the stockings up!! Please call one of our certified fitters. Have the information on the product you are wearing available (Manufacturer, Brand, Style, Size) and your measurements. This way we can find the correct garment for you.
Thank you for allowing us to assist you, Vanda
I am interested in this procedure. I have had lymphedema in my right leg for over 50 years. Please send more information as you receive it thank you
Hi Alicia,
Thanks for leaving a comment. I have sent the links to you by email.
All the best, Vanda
Absolutely wonderful news that there is HOPE for us who suffer from this debilitating condition. I have heard about such surgery, but now there is an actual case to read about that was successful. I, too, suffer from lymphedema. Although my case is mild compared to some, it is still bad enough to have changed my life as I once knew it to be. I pray that I can possibly find a doctor to help me. Thanks, Vanda, for sharing Jennifer’s story, and blessing to her.
Hello Lucretia,
Thank you for leaving a message. I am emailing you the blog contacts. You might contact Jennifer’s Doctors and get recommendations for them.
All the best, Vanda