Teen with lymphedema needs encouragement

[patoco]

Hi Rachel

Super welcome to our family here

I understand how you must be feeling, I had LE too during my teen years.

I was wondering what your lymphedema therapist is saying about the compression garments not helping any more.
It may be that you actually require a garment with a stronger compression strength. Is it an "off" the shelf garment or one that was ready made specifically for you

Also, if you only wear it for a few hours a day, the hours you don't have it on means your leg is actually going to increase in the swelling.

Hang in there...it will get better. Seems my teen years were really my toughest ones too.

Pat

[blubrdfrend]

I too, had to live with lymphedema through my teen years. I gave up shorts when I began to see a definite difference in the size of my legs. Unfortunately at the time the legs of women's pants and jeans were small and tapered. My foot would not go through the end of the leg. I made my pants and only wore dresses to church. At that time no women wore pants to church. I can't promise you that things well get better. I wish that you would wake up tomorrow and your leg would look like the legs of your friends but it won't happen. I can promise you that as you get older you will be grateful for your life. I know that the people who love you are grieving too. As my leg got worse, the eyes of my grandmother grew sadder. Her mother had lymphedema, although not much was known about it then. Times have changed and there may be hope for lymphedema research in the near future.

[patoco]

Times have changed and there may be hope for lymphedema research in the near future.

So true...............the times have indeed changed and there is much research going on as we write. Last month I even spent time talking to a doctor right here in Atlanta that is doing research in stem cells for lymphedema.

I do believe that a cure or at least a super treatment is just around the corner for us.

Rachel, don't let the LE stop you from chasing you dreams and aspirations.

Despite my LE, I've had a busy busy life, including being married, having a couple children...the usual stuff and
I was super active in community organizations too.

Go for the gold

Pat