Washington Post Letters

kira66715

It just goes on: the latest two letters to the Post 1) described how yoga fixed her LE and 2) Described the excellent care she received around lymphedema and how she is shocked that informed consent, teaching of MLD, routine antibiotic scripts and sleeves are not the norm.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/22/AR2010112205793.html

I don't follow the post, but started a google alert on LE.

Kira

Binney4

"One lymphedema patient is quoted as saying. "My surgeon said he'd never had anybody ever develop it." I find it almost impossible to believe that any surgeon would or could make such a statement. I hope that whoever spoke those words realizes that her surgeon is an exception rather than the rule - at least among my friends who have dealt with breast cancer in the Commonwealth of Virginia."

he-he! I hope whoever wrote those words above realizes that her surgeon is an exception rather than the rule -- yes, Virginia, even in the Commonwealth!

ROFL,
Binney

kcshreve

This was my BS's response when I asked for a recommendation for a LE therapist to rule out my symptoms.  The office said they have no names, since LE is a thing of the past and the BS is just so good (she is good, but not THAT good) that she never sees LE anymore.  Dream on!!  Does that make me her first?  Please! 

Suzybelle

I love how Deborah states that 'keeping my leg active and working hard' is the key to overcoming her lymphedema.

I guess I am inactive and lazy.

Thanks, Deborah!!!!!  

Member_of_the_Club

But . . .  at least these are patients, conveying their individual experiences. I think thats OK.  Exercise has helped my LE a great deal but I also know it won't work for everyone.  I would have been concerned if these letters were from so called experts.

kira66715

MOTC--completely agree. As patients we all have different experiences, but we don't purport to be experts.

Sure glad we got the NLN to retract that "expert" opinion about pain and LE.

Kira

AnnaM

The only thing I object to is when the writer says she hopes whoever complained about the lack of care/information/understanding many women who have had breast surgery experience realizes that this is "... the exception rather than the rule--at least among my friends who have dealt with breast cancer in the Commonwealth of Virginia." Well, I live in the Commonwealth of Virginia and let me tell you, that lack sure is the reality of my experience here. I have to beg not to be stuck in the arm, and more often than not I have to go elsewhere to find someone who knows how to do a foot stick. Nor do I live in the hinterlands. We're only 50 miles from the nation's capital. I haven't had my BP measured in over a year. Sure, we have LE therapists, good ones. But they too complain about the lack of attention given to the very real risks.