Nancy’s Story

I am blessed to be a breast cancer survivor since 1984 at the age of 42. I had mastectomy surgery and removal of 14 lymph nodes, which were all free of cancer, another blessing. Eight months after surgery, swelling developed in my my right arm, hand and fingers. Back then I was told NOT to exercise, lift anything heavy and take diuretics for the rest of my life. Some of this information seemed accurate because many activities increased the swelling. Weather also affects the amount of swelling, hot, humid days are the worse. 
As the years went on, I began developing infections which then qualified me to work with a qualified lymphedema therapist….I found few existed. 
I’ve gone through years of therapy, bandaging and have a home care program which includes a compression pump and night garment. The custom compression sleeves that I have fitted with over the years, all caused circulation problems, therefore I am unable to wear a day garment. 
I’m now 70 years old, am NOT overweight, have an excellent whole food diet, exercise with weights as well as do yoga and other classes. I am also an avid ballroom dancer which includes, rhythm and swing dances. 
I am an active Real Estate Broker working a full-time schedule. 
I take no medications and consider myself healthy. 
Chronic lymphedema is understood by few in the medical field. Diuretics are not the answer, which by the way are paid for by insurance companies. 
Because I am unable to wear a day garment, no amount of compression bandaging, professional therapy, compression pumping correct the swelling, however they all help and are necessary. The cost for therapy, the cost for bandages, costs for compression pumps, cost for day and night compression garments are not paid for by insurance companies. Once infections sets in causing additional medical problems, hospital visits and weaken immune systems only then is there coverage.