canadian LE treatment -- a nasty surprise

Just moved to Toronto, Canada's biggest city. i finally got an appointment at the LE clinic of a major hospital, only to find that the "clinic" was just a nurse who was there to sign a form allowing me to have my garments partially paid by the govt health system. This "clinic" that I waited weeks for and had to take half a day off work for doesn't offer treatment or education in wrapping or self-massage. Just a nurse who verifies you have LE and then signs a form. After that, you're on your own. You can go to private MLD therapists but the govt health plan doesn't cover any of it, and a typical private supplemental plan you get from your job gives you enough for about four visits a year. Plus I'm told that none of these therapists in Toronto have pumps. It goes without saying that lymph transfer surgery is unheard of here. The nurse at this clinic had never even heard of bioimpedance, laser therapy, etc. Not saying all or even most therapists can do these things, but I would think an LE specialist would at least be keeping up with major issues in the field. At a time when my LE has spread to a new and unusual area -- my fingertips -- oesn't give me a whole lot of confidence.

Anyway, thanks for letting me rant.