Success story with self-help

[pat]

Hi all! I had surgery for cancer (11/04) and lymph nodes were removed in my groin area. I also had radiation in the same area. About four months after radiation was completed (4/05), I swelled up from the toes to the groin area on the right side of my body. I went to a therapist for six weeks; she was able to reduce the size of the leg, but it was still larger than the other "normal" leg when treatment ended. I was measured for compression chaps and wore them for about a month. I hated them so much that I searched out other options.

Here's what I ended up doing for a daily regime for five months:

* Self-massage in a.m. and p.m.
* Jumped on mini-trampoline - jumping jacks - worked up to 400
* Took Horse Chestnut pills at the suggestion of Genie
* Walked 1/2 hour both morning and afternoon
* Went on a diet that is supposed to support the lymph system

I'm happy to report that when I did all of this, I was able to get by without wearing the compression chaps. I do wear a compression piece around my ankle (I don't know what to call it; it's temporary compression material) because my ankle continued to pool, but the rest of my leg and groin area are almost equal in circumference to my other leg now.

About a month ago, I became quite ill and could not do my exercise, tramp, or even the self massage for about five days; in addition, I did not eat much, so I wasn't following the diet. I actually forgot about my leg.

Well, good news! My leg did not swell again and is maintaining its size up to today. Now -- as a precaution -- I still take the horse chestnut, self-massage about every second day and continue my walking. I'm going to be starting the diet again soon because it just makes me feel better.

I don't know if others would have the good results I have had if they followed my I-don't-want-to-wear-those-darn-compression-stockings plan. I went for treatment within one month of the onset of LE, so we caught it fairly early. I'm not suggesting others try my plan; it takes a lot of time and will-power to follow through with it. In addition, maybe it would only work for me.

I simply wanted to report that sometimes LE gets better and easier to live with. I tried alternative measures after reading Genie's postings on this site, so perhaps someone could find inspiration from this posting, have success and pass that along to another LE sufferer.

Thanks, Genie - if you're still current on the site! I so appreciate your postings and your determination to not let LE rule your life.