‘The pain stops me doing the simple things in life’
Lymphoedema causes limbs to swell up to three times their usual size. Here, one woman shares her experiences of the devastating condition in a bid to improve awareness
Agrandmother says she is in “daily agony” and unable to complete simple daily tasks due to a little-known condition called lymphoedema.
Shan Phillips, 59, revealed the devastating effect the condition has had on her life as part of Lymphoedema Awareness Week (March 5 to 10).
Following an operation for a separate medical condition in the late ‘90s, which led to her lymph glands being removed around the left side of her chest and left arm, Shan developed lymphoedema in her left arm.
Lymphoedema is an incurable condition that causes localised fluid retention and tissue swelling, often seen in the arms and legs, causing sufferers’ limbs to swell to up the three times their usual size.
After a diagnosis from her GP, Shan has been attending the lymphoedema clinic at Singleton Hospital in Swansea, weekly since 2002.
She said: “Living with lymphoedema makes life very difficult, not just because of the pain but because it stops me doing simple things in life which many people take for granted.
“Dressing, bathing, cooking, shopping are made near impossible for me because of the swelling in my arm.
“I find it very difficult to grip anything with my left hand, I have to rely on my husband to help me with the simplest of things. He’s my absolute rock.
“I try to live life fully and I have a lot to be thankful for, but living with lymphoedema is often very frustrating and I’m in constant pain.”
She said the condition also causes her to regularly contract the skin infection cellulitis.
“I had to take early retirement due to ill health from my job as a nurse when I was 40 which was heart breaking,” she added.
“But I’m lucky a lot of my old colleagues work in the lymphoedema clinic so I can still see them regularly.
“I consider myself very lucky to have this clinic on my doorstep in Swansea. They do everything they can to help you and you wouldn’t get this kind of care anywhere else in the country.
“As well as using bandages, massage
FAST FACTS
There are more than 240,000 known cases of Lymphoedema in the UK.
Early diagnosis improves the prognosis of the patient.
The lymphatic system is probably best thought of as the body’s waste collection system, taking damaged cells, tissue fluid, bacteria, proteins and waste products out of the body.
Aside from swelling, side effects can include thickening of the skin, ulcers, infection and loss of hair. and a compression sleeve in the clinic, I also have a sleeve I can use at home.”
Shan uses the LymphAssist Homecare machine from home, which saves her from attending more regular trips to the hospital as well as working to reduce the severity of her symptoms.
The LymphAssist Homecare machine is a simple to use pump with a garment made of inflatable chambers which massage the affected areas, helping to drain excess fluid which eases Shan’s discomfort.
Anita Roberts, clinical nurse adviser at Huntleigh, said: “It always gives me great pleasure to hear of the benefits of the LymphAssist Homecare unit from a patient.
“A key thing to home treatment is taking back control of your treatment pattern, you can choose where and when to fit with your daily activities.
“This saves patients having to travel to a clinic and the associated the costs that are attached to that.
“It’s great to see Shan continuing with her life, and see how positively she benefits from the treatment.”
For more information about LymphAssist Homecare visit www.lymphassist.com or call Huntleigh Diagnostics on 029 2048 2885