Phyllis’ Story

I had lymphedema twice in each case the surgeon insisted that I did not have it. It was cancer related. I’ve had cancer three times, twice breast and once ovarian cancer. I have lymphedema in my left arm and my right leg. My Oncologist sent me to a lymphedema treatment center in the same hospital that she was in on the arm lymphedema. My second surgeon sent me to a doctor who told me that he really did not know anything about lymphedema. He also knew nothing about women’s metabolism after menopause and he did not understand that you could not diet while on chemotherapy. He did prescribe stockings for me which helped but I had to argue w He kept asking why I was not 125 lbs. That was when I was in college and running to classes. I was 150 lbs. when I married which was two years after college. I had to argue with him to go to the leg lymphedema treatment center. He indicated that he would recommend me “if that’s what you want.” I still have not found a doctor who treats lymphedema which bothers me.