After breast cancer treatment, Joy Blondheim faced lymphedema, a common cancer treatment side effect that causes the lymphatic system to become blocked and may result in a swollen arm or leg. Because of her lymphedema, Joy dealt with many infections over the years. Eventually, she came to MD Anderson and saw plastic surgeon Mark Schaverien, M.D., who performed a surgery called a vascularized lymph node transfer. Joy says the surgery changed her life.

Read more on lymphedema: https://www.mdanderson.org/pat....ients-family/diagnos

Request an appointment at MD Anderson by calling 1-877-632-6789 or online: my.mdanderson.org/requestappointment

SLUCare breast surgeon Dr. Theresa Schwartz talks about the side effect of lymphedema that occurs through the treatment of breast cancer for some women. Lymphedema symptems usually including the swelling of some limbs that cannot drain fluid properly. Fortunately there is a microsurgery option to help alleviate the issue and possibly prevent it from happening. More information online at www.slucare.edu

To schedule an appointment with a SLUCare physician, please call (314) 977-4440.

SLUCare Physician Group is a patient-centered network of more than 500 health care providers on staff at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. As part of an academic medical practice, SLUCare physicians are experts in their respective fields, providing specialty care for even the most complex medical conditions. SLUCare physicians practice in 47 different hospitals and clinics throughout the St. Louis region, making high-quality, advanced care convenient for you and your family.

I speak a lot about lymphatic drainage on my channel. I explain the traditional method of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) that's been used for many decades. But that may start to change! Let's dive into the latest research findings from the ALERT program on lymphedema treatment. I discuss how these findings are changing the way we may begin to perform lymphatic drainage. We also learn about ICG lymphography and how it's being used to diagnose lymphatic dysfunction. I will also explain how these new findings can lead to more efficient and effective care for patients with lymphedema.

*All credit for video clips, slides, and data to the Australian Lymphoedema Education, Research and Treatment (ALERT) Program at Macquarie University. Find their Information here:
https://www.mqhealth.org.au/ab....out/flagship-service

Suami, H., Heydon-White, A., Mackie, H., Czerniec, S., Koelmeyer, L.A., & Boyages, J. (2019). A new indocyanine green fluorescence lymphography protocol for identification of the lymphatic drainage pathway for patients with breast cancer-related lymphoedema. BMC Cancer
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-019-6192-1

00:00 New research on lymphatic drainage
02:06 Arm Lymphedema
06:23 Leg Lymphedema

Lymphatic Drainage Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playli....st?list=PLEMlEDKDlob

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Use code KELLY10 for 10% off the BEST, medical-quality lymphedema products at BrightLife Direct: https://bit.ly/3udwb1t

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*I am a physical therapist, but not your physical therapist. Although I do monitor comments, I cannot respond to personal medical questions. Please know that these are questions for your own doctor or provider as this is general information only. Thanks!

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Many cancer patients may find themselves dealing with a lifelong side effect.

Lymphedema is extreme swelling that comes as a result of lymph node damage. It can show up at any time.

Sandy Hawkins introduction to lymphedema came as a complete surprise.

"Well, it was an unpleasant surprise," says Hawkins. "I woke up one morning in January and my whole upper body was swollen."

Lymphedema occurs when the lymphatic system is disrupted. If fluid can't get to the heart, it pools up, causing the swelling.

" And, of course, there's the psychological implications," Hawkins says. "It doesn't feel very nice to look in the mirror and see all that."

Sandy reached out to a certified lymphedema therapists to help her manage the swelling in her arm.

"We teach manual lymph drainage which is a massage technique," says Jackie Speas, a lymphedema therapist with Lee Memorial Health System. "It redirects the fluid to parts of the body that do not have edema."

Therapists also teach patients how to keep their condition under wraps.

"We'll also do compressive wrapping," Speas says. Which we use short stretch bandages and actually wrap the extremity to reduce the edema."

Once the swelling is under control, the challenge is to keep it that way. That generally requires wearing compression garments.

"We ordered these sleeves and gauntlets which are the hand part. I
tried the gloves but wasn't happy with that so these gauntlets are much easier to use daily."

While there is no cure for lymphedema, there is also no reason to live with the swelling. For patients like Sandy, the work is worth the effort as she's regained control of her life and limbs.

View More Health Matters video segments at www.leememorial.org/healthmatters/

Lee Memorial Health System in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of medical care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For nearly a century, we've been providing our community with everything from primary care treatment to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries.
Visit www.leememorial.org/caring