Donna’s Story

My husband has severe lymphedema in his lower extremities. He was diagnosed with this disease about 3 years ago and has been suffering with it ever since. We are not sure what caused this problem with him but we do know that his grandmother had it. We have tried the wrapping and massage and it does help him tremendously but due to my health I am not able to do the wrapping or the massage for him any longer and so the disease just progresses quickly for him since they do not have in home services for this and the closest place is about 30 miles away for us each way. We have tried to get the compression garments but the insurance does not cover them and any place that we have contacted are not even sure that they can get them in his size. We have tried the farrow wrap for one of the legs (which was paid for by a family member) and it does work but the other leg is too large around for a farrow wrap and therefore he suffers with this disease daily. He no longer has an outside life much at all because of the problems with walking and getting clothing to fit the problem areas. He must wear jobbing pants that have been cut off to fit over the affected areas and since the skin is scaly and red most of the time the people stare and some even ask questions as to why he is so heavy and such. This disease has affected his attitude, his emotional stability, and his whole life in general. If insurance would cover the cost of these treatments and such then I am sure that more people could and would be helped with this disease and certainly become part of the outside world again.