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 receive free copies of “Lymphedema Legislation Update,” "Legislation Information Packet" and "The Lymphema Information Sheet" by e-mailing your request to ann@lymphnotes.com. We will be happy to send you PDF files of these documents containing important information about this legislation.
• Read about the successful trip to Washington, in the story Our Trip to DC.
• Go to Contacting Congress to find information on how to contact your representatives and senators. 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!
• Coming soon the www.LymphedemaTreatmentAct.org website. Watch for it!

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

• The Lymphedema Education, Exercise & Prevention support group of San Francisco, has moved to a new meeting place. These meetings are free and the next session will be held on Wed. August 18, 2010. For more information and to reserve your space, contact Bettina Neumann by phone at 415-600-3073.
• To be in the know, click on The Excitement about Vitamin D and learn more about this topic.
• The “Special Children’s Issue” of the Spring/Summer “Lymphedema Matters Newsletter” (electronic version) of  the Lymphedema Association of Ontario, Canada is available by contacting Anna Kennedy by e-mail at lymphontario@yahoo.com
• Additional valuable resources regarding the care of children are available in new documents from the International LE Framework project. To view these go to http://www.lympho.org/link.php
• 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.This full day of excellent programming will be held at DeKalb Medical Auditorium. Registration is required before. 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
• Dr. Kathryn Schmitz has issued a news alert to clarify misconceptions regarding her study on Weight Lifting and Lymphedema. For details, click on Weight Lifting Misconceptions. Additional details are available on the NLN website. 
• Are you at risk? Instead of taking unnecessary changes, be better informed by reading these articles Shingles -- Are you at Risk? and Lyme Disease Alert.
• Are you interested in Pilates? Naomi Aaronson has invited you to view her new videos on Pilates for those recovering from breast cancer by clicking on http://vimeo.com/10799754. To learn more about Naomi’s specialized exercise business view her website at Recovercises for Wellness.
• It is support group meeting planning time! For helpful ideas read the article Support Group Tips.
• 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?
• We have updated information from ImpediMed, Inc. a Gold Sponsor.

Updated: 2010-07-28