Lymphedema is? A _____, ________, _________ unknown A condition not a disease  Manageable  No prescriptions medication to utilize A risk for a lifetime – if lymph nodes are removed or heavily radiated A disabling or life altering diagnosis A difficult topic to discuss and understand.

I am here today to Impart that Lymphedema is manageable and The tools we need to manage it ARE available and There is HOPE to minimize the extremes

Julie Venn Custom Fit Therapies Inc Licensed massage therapist in 1998 Breast cancer in 1994, Lymphedema in 1999 Created Custom Fit Therapies, Inc in lymphedema therapist and compression garment fitter Lymphedema program consultant for Cancer Lifeline 2004 & 2005 Board member of the NW Lymphedema Center 2006 Participant in the Puget Sound Cancer Care Coalition Training with North American Rehab, Klose Training & Dr. Bruno Chikly

What I CAN Do Get information Seek out treatment Self Care, Self Care, Self Care Education Lymphedema Management Talk to others Talk to Doctor(S), Nurse(S), Care Provider(S) – Find more than one person who takes interest in your condition and situation Ask for Help Food

How CAN I possibly do this Patience Perseverance Persistence

Other Impacts related to Diagnosis Self- Image Fatigue Depression Intimacy Activities Answering other’s questions

Links/ Resources NW Lymphedema Center Located in Kent, WA  Self Care class  One-on-One Consultation with RN  Free viewing video on website National Lymphedema Network (NLN) California  Website has Position Papers on Risk Reduction, Treatment, Travel, Exercise  NLN Lymphedema Conference for care providers

Links/Resources Cont’d Lymphedema People website  Information and chat line Lymphatic Research Foundation  Non-profit conducting research on the lymphatic system

Questions “ Trust your heart and know that there is always a part of us that questions and worries. It is not a matter of making that voice go away but rather how and what I do to honor the doubts and still move forward. What steps do I need to take that safeguard the concerns?” - Julie Venn

Appendix Julie Venn, Custom Fit Therapies 10 9/21/2015