Helping You Live a Fulfilling Life Is More Than Work to Me — It’s My Mission

One day a woman came to see me from a state on the other side of the country. She was in town visiting her sister and learned about the cancer rehab program we had running in the area.

She went through her breast cancer surgery and treatment 4 years ago. She was now cancer-free, but still lived with chronic pain and discomfort for an unknown reason. After one look at her swollen arm, I instantly knew that she had lymphedema.

The problem was, this woman had never even heard of lymphedema. I think my mouth dropped open — I couldn't believe she had lived for 4 years without a proper diagnosis!

And then I realized that cancer rehab and this kind of education and care simply don’t exist everywhere they are needed. I was upset because if this woman had gotten the education, awareness, and support she needed sooner, she would not have had so many years living with chronic pain.

This story moved me to start sharing more and more knowledge and information about living with and after cancer and lymphedema online.

Because it’s never too late to reclaim control of your life. You just have to take the first step.

A woman in her mid-50s was referred to me by her doctor. As soon as she sat down, she didn’t hesitate to share that she didn’t feel like coming and wasn’t sure it’d be worth her time.

She was diagnosed with cervical cancer about 12 years ago. Since then, she’s had multiple surgeries and radiation with chemotherapy. She was now cancer-free, but she developed stage 3 lymphedema in both legs.

She had significant pain during the day and night and spent the last few years in and out of the hospital with infections. Her dream was to go skiing again, but she couldn’t tolerate going for just a short, 20-minute walk with her husband and dog.

“I’ve tried everything,” she said. “I just don’t think there is anything else you’re going to be able to do.”

But I knew I had to try. And after evaluating her home program and the tools she had tried over the years, I was able to suggest a few changes to her compression and self-care routine. Along with these changes, we also started an exercise program together.

We spent the next ten weeks building up her strength and adjusting her routine. The truth is, there is no one-size-first-all lymphedema treatment. Although most people will need compression, lymphatic drainage, and exercise, there are several other tools in the toolbox that can be individualized — which is exactly what we did!

One day, the woman came to her session in tears. She was overcome with emotion and shared that she went for a 25-minute walk the day prior and had no pain afterward. She felt strong and that she could finally move around without her lymphedema holding her back for the first time in 11 years!

About eight months later, I received a postcard in the mail from her. It was a photo of the ski resort she was staying at with her husband, finally free to live the life she wanted.

So, let this story be a reminder that chronic conditions like lymphedema don’t have to stop you from doing what you love. There is always a solution, even if you believe you’ve tried everything.

“I’ve tried everything,” she said.
“I just don’t think there is anything else you’re going to be able to do.”

But I knew I had to try. And after evaluating her home program and the tools she had tried over the years, I was able to suggest a few changes to her compression and self-care routine. Along with these changes, we also started an exercise program together.

We spent the next ten weeks building up her strength and adjusting her routine. The truth is, there is no one-size-first-all lymphedema treatment. Although most people will need compression, lymphatic drainage, and exercise, there are several other tools in the toolbox that can be individualized — which is exactly what we did!

One day, the woman came to her session in tears. She was overcome with emotion and shared that she went for a 25-minute walk the day prior and had no pain afterward. She felt strong and that she could finally move around without her lymphedema holding her back for the first time in 11 years!

About eight months later, I received a postcard in the mail from her. It was a photo of the ski resort she was staying at with her husband, finally free to live the life she wanted.

So, let this story be a reminder that chronic conditions like lymphedema don’t have to stop you from doing what you love. There is always a solution, even if you believe you’ve tried everything.