Welcome to the online information resource and support group for those with lymphedema and for the family, friends, and therapists who care for them.

Are you New to Lymph Notes?

• To learn about the many features of this website, read Exploring Lymph Notes.
• Are you looking for a specific article? Go to Lymph Notes Table of Contents and select from the list of articles that are posted on this website.
• To find a specific topic,type the term in the search box at the top of each page.
• To search only the forum postings, use the Search function at the bottom of this page.
• The definitions of lymphedema related termsare provided in the Lymphedema Glossary.
• Each picture (in the upper right corner of the page) is linked to an interesting story.To read the story, just click on the image that links to it.
• Would you like to have patient education handouts to distribute at cancer or lymphedema related meetings or similar events?To receive from Lymph Notes a free PDF file of the handout "Are You at Risk of Lymphedema?"just e-mail your request to ann@lymphnotes.com. You are welcome to print as many copies of this handout as you wish.
• Just released! Thanks to the kindness of a good Samaritan, the Lymph Notes brochure “Está Usted en Riesgo de Desarrollar Linfedema?” is now available en Español. To receive a free PDF file of this Spanish handout, e-mail your request to ann@lymphnotes.com (Please mention that you want the Spanish version!)You are welcome to print as many copies of this handout as you wish.
• Do you need help in finding quality lymphedema care? If so, e-mail your request for a copy of "Finding Quality Lymphedema Care" to ann@lymphnotes.com. If you mention the state where you live, we will include a copy of the Lymph Notes list of lymphedea facilities that we have located in your state.
• To receive a free “Lymphedema Alert Wallet Card,” e-mail your request to ann@lymphnotes.com. Important! Include your name and address so we can mail this to you.
• What is happening? Would you like to have your support group meeting, lymphedema related event,or news listed here? Making this happen is easy and cost free. For details. e-mail Ann at ann@lymphnotes.com.

Lymphedema Caregiver’s Guide is the first book specifically for family, friends, and professionals who provide, or arrange for, lymphedema home care. Written by Mary Kathleen Kearse, PT, CLT-LANA (an experienced and highly qualified lymphedema therapist), Elizabeth McMahon, PhD (a clinical psychologist), and Ann Ehrlich, (a professional medical writer). "This book covers all aspects of lymphedema home care including emotional support." For more information about the book, click on Lymphedema Caregiver’s Guide. For ordering information click here. Buy now from Amazon.com.

Living Well with Lymphedema by A. Ehrlich, A. Vinjé-Harrewijn PT, CLT-LANA, and E. McMahon PhD. “The most comprehensive lymphedema book on the market. It is wonderful for patients and for those at risk. So many sources tell lymphedema patients what they can not do. This book encourages us in what we can do!" For ordering information click here. Buy now from Amazon.com.

Voices of Lymphedema is an exciting book written by patients, therapists, and others who know lymphedema best. As described by one of the many enthusiastic reviewers, "This is a must read!" For more information and reviews (including those from the National Lymphedema Network (NLN) click here, for ordering information click here or buy now from Amazon.com.

Overcoming the Emotional Challenges of Lymphedema

by Elizabeth McMahon PhD. "Empowering and practical, with exercises the reader can jump right into and know they are taking steps to help themselves. I love the emphasis throughout the book that the patient is in control." For ordering information click here.Buy now from Amazon.com. For details on Dr. McMahon’s speaking engagements click here to visit her website.

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   JOIN LYMPH NOTES IN SUPPORTING PASSAGE OF THE LYMPHEDEMA TREATMENT ACT.                                                  

• To learn about the proposed legislation that could help all of us go to the NLN website home page, on the right side of the page. You are looking information concerning the legislation titled "Lymphedema Diagnosis & Treatment Cost Saving Bill of 2010."
• Do your part and contact your senators and congressal representatives. For details go to Contacting Congress. Sending your message only takes a few moments and each contact in favor of this legislation increases the possibility of this bill becoming a law that we need!

THE PASSAGE OF THIS LAW WILL BENEFIT ALL OF US. 
                     PLEASE DO YOUR PART AND TAKE ACTION NOW!

MORE ON HEALTHCARE INSURANCE

• Click on Federal Affordable Care Act to learn more the new healthcare law that will soon be taking effect.

• To obtain specific information about benefits for those with those with pre-existing conditions, including lymphedema, click on Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP).

• Sept. 22 through 26, 2010, the 9th National Lymphedema Network International Conference for Healthcare Professionals will be held in Orlando, FL.  For details about the meeting go to the NLN website.  For answers to your questions. e-mail the NLN at 2010conf@lymphnet.org Two of our Lymph Notes authors will be speaking at this meeting. Elizabeth McMahon PhD will present the Pre-Conference Instructional Session “Responding to Nonadherence and Preventing Personal Burnout”  on Wed Sept 22 from 1 to 5:15. Mary Kathleen Kearse PT, CLT-LANA , with Joseph Feldman MD, will present “Primary Lymphedema in Pediatrics and Adolescents.”
• The LSAP program, for non-professionals, will be held before and during the NLN meeting and registration is still open. To learn more about this program read Kim's story How L.S.A.P Changed My Life and then go to the LSAP on the NLN website for more details and an application.
• On Saturday, October 16, 2010, the Lighthouse Lymphedema Network will sponsor the 13th State of Georgia Lymphedema Education and Awareness Program. Advance registration is required. To receive an informative brochure and registration form, which must be complete by Oct 10th, contact Elaine Gunter now by e-mail at elaine.gunter@comcast.net
• On Friday afternoon, October 29th, 2010, The North Carolina Lymphedema Network will hold its bi-annual meeting. To learn more, click on N.C. Lymphedema Network Meeting
• On Saturday, October 30, 2010, Ruth Coopee will present a full day course for lymphedema professionals on “Elastic Taping for Lymphedema” (also known as Kinesio taping) in Chapel Hill, NC. Click on Elastic Taping for Lymphedema to learn many more more important details.
• To find a wealth of lymphedema information in one location, go to the website http://www.usa.gov and, in the search box, type lymphedema. An amazing list of 15,400 informative websites about this topic will come up!
• Have you wondered if those Internet ads to cure lymphedema are accurate? To learn the facts as presented by the NLN read Can Surgery Cure Lymphedema?
• To discover the excitement about the benefits of vitamin D by reading The Excitement about Vitamin D

Updated: 2010-08-27