Hurricane Gordon dumped lots of rain on the NLN conference but that was about the only problem we encountered. The conference was informative and very well organized. The organizers deserve credit for such a great job putting the conference together. I enjoyed meeting old friends and making many new friends. I also enjoyed many excellent presentations and discussions. We continue to make progress in the fight against lymphedema and the NLN conference is critical in that educational process.

     I was especially touched by one patient who came to the conference to meet me and the staff of Peninsula Medical. She has suffered with lymphedema of the lower extremity for many years. Her condition has become progressively worse despite numerous treatments and her doctors told her she was facing the possibility of amputation. I received a call from her daughter last spring. Her daughter was determined to find treatment for her mother and was optimistic that something could be done. We made a custom ReidSleeve for her leg and she has gradually improved with the tremendous help of her therapist and family. She underwent treatment with the ReidSleeve, or as she calls it, the ReidBoot and lymphatic drainage and continues to improve.

     She had been unable to walk for many months but with treatment she improved and she was eventually able to walk with the assistance of a walker. She wanted to prove how much progress she had made and her mission was to walk from the car to our booth at the conference. Her progress was slow but steady. She took frequent breaks to gather her strength but she persevered and joined us at the Peninsula Medical booth. She is a delightful woman, full of energy and love of life and we were all very impressed with her determination. The accompanying photograph from her visit is below.

     Her goal now is to continue to improve so she can help raise her grandchildren. With her determination and compassion, I know she will succeed and do a great job.

     Peninsula Medical offers many additional services to the lymphedema patient in our quest to be more than just a manufacturer. One of the services we have been proud to offer is our Patient Support Services. Although we help to support patients and answer product and protocol questions, many time patients share personal stories with us. Support comes in many different ways, and we are always delighted to have patients share. Listening and learning is a valuable enlightenment of life.

     We would like to share with you, with the permission of one of our patients, her various slices of life she shared with her patient support representative.

     Jane had her fourth baby in 1957 and she was operated on for an umbilical hernia. Lymphedema followed immediately. When presenting her doctor with her swollen legs, she was told "Tch, tch, you have lymphedema, go home and live with it." She did, as there was no treatment offered beyond support stockings.

     Jane began to experience infections in 1979. Finally, in 1998 she found someone who could treat her. After 6 weeks of treatment at the University of Utah, she was advised to get 2 ReidSleeves for her legs. Her progress was phenomenal. She lost 31.29 inches from her right leg and 53.56 from her left, (total volume reduction as monitored in patient support services). She says the sleeves changed her life. She can see her ankles for the first time in years.

     Jane still continued to have open sores on her legs and the skin, so fragile, it wouldn't heal, and she experienced a great deal of pain. She bought sterile gauze pads by the case and each box only lasted four days. Recently, she had a wonderful story to relate. The sores had cleared up, due to antibiotic treatment. She reports no infections for the first time in two years. Additionally, Jane nearly cried as she said she could finally take off her hose without them sticking to her wounds.

     Jane has never let the lymphedema get her down. She spends her time caring for her three horses and planting tomatoes to can salsa. Jane laughs as she recalls having to actually "buy" tomatoes after the neighbor's goats ate all she planted. An avid quilt maker, has 22 quilts to her credit made for her children and grandchildren, with two more grandchildren on the way!

     We thank Jane for letting us share this in this months eNews, and will post this under Chronicles for others to enjoy!