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 discover the many features that are available on the Lymph Notes website, just click on "Exploring Lymph Notes."
• There are more more 75 informative articles available on this website. To explore those articles that are of greatest interest to you, click on A Table of Contents one title at a time. A list of the articles titles just click on the title you are looking for, and that article will appear.
• To find a specific forum topic, go to the orange bar near the top of the page and click on the heading "Lymph Notes Forums." This will take you to the forum page and you can search there.
• To search the glossary, go to the search box and type "lymphedema glossary." Click on this heading and then search the terms in alphabetical order.
• The picture located in the upper right corner of the home page is known as a Rotator Photos. Click on a rotator photo and it will link it to an interesting story. To enjoy the next story, click on the next photo link and the story to this will appear. 
• Free Patient Information Handouts. Lymph Notes makes available free PDF files of educational handouts such as "Are You at Risk of Lymphedema?" To receive a free copy of the file, which you are welcome to reprint, just e-mail your request to ann@lymphnotes.com. You are welcome to print as many copies of this handout as you wish.
• Thanks to the kindness of a good Samaritan, this handout is now available en Español as “Está Usted en Riesgo de Desarrollar Linfedema?” 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 the document  "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 lymphedema facilities located in your state.
• 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 free of cost. For details. e-mail Ann at ann@lymphnotes.com.

HELPFUL BOOKS FROM LYMPH NOTES                                

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. now from Amazon.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.

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 book!" 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 is an "Empowering and practical book, with exercises that 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. 

ENROLL TO BE PART OF THE "NATIONAL BREAST CANCER LYMPHEDEMA REGISTRY" 

This research project needs your help if you have been diagnosed with lymphedema associated with breast cancer treatment. You can learn more about how you can be an important part of this research registry by going  to National Breast Cancer Lymphedema Registry.  Then go to their website https://breastcancer-lymphedema.stanford.edu/login to enroll. This is your opportunity to help yourself, and others, without even leaving you computer! 

The 10th NLN INTERNATIONAL LYMPHEDEMA CONFERENCE: RESEARCH ROUND UP will be held in the Omni Dallas Hotel on Sept 5-9, 2012. You will find the details and important registration information on the NLN website www.lymphnet.org  (While visiting the website, you can admire the new NLN logo.) 

SAVE SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012 to join with others who care enough about finding cures for the many forms of lymphedema. This is the date of the NATIONAL WALK FOR LYMPHEDEMA AND LYMPHATIC DISEASES 2012 to be held at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, New York. This event will be  and is sponsored by the Lymphatic Research Organization which has as its goal increasing awareness of the many types of lymphedema and raising funds to carry out the mission of this patient sponsored organization. 

To learn more about Lymphatic Research Organization (LRF)visit their website at www.lymphaticresearch.org. To get more information, and to sign-up for this fun way to help,contact Colleen McGuire by telephone at (516) 625-9675, or by e-mail at cmcguire@lymphaticresearch.org 

LYMPHEDEMA IDENTIFICATION RESOURCES      

If you have lymphedema, or are at risk of developing lymphedema, you should wear (or carry) some form of this information to alert emergency personnel in the event that you are in an accident. The following are sources for obtaining several different types of these resources.                                                                               

• Lymphedema Alert Wallet cards are available without charge from Lymph Notes. To request your card, e-mail Ann at ann@lymphnotes.com.  Be certain to include your name and mailing address so we can send your card as quickly as possible! 
• Free plastic lymphedema identification bracelet are available from Peninsula Medical. To request one, visit their website at at www.noblemed.com 
• A special sleeve, or legging, designed by a nurse to protect a lymphedema affected limb when a patient with lymphedema requires surgery. Most hospitals do not provide these sleeves; however you can purchase your own g-sleeve by visiting their website at  www.g-sleeve.com
• The National Lymphedema Network has a special shop where Bracelets and necklaces are available tto identify that you have lymphedemaThe National Lymphedema Network (NLN) has a special store where you can select from a variety of bracelets or necklaces to identify that you have lymphedema. To see the selection, visit this website www.lymphnet.org

 INTERESTING RESEARCH

The treatment of Abnormal lymphatic swelling in very young infants has long been a puzzle. Now you can learn more about the problem and the interesting new developments in the treatment of this condition. To learn more, read the article Severe Lymphatic Malformation Treatment.  

LEARN A LOT ON VIDEO! 

Dr.Stanley Rockson, of Stanford University School of Medicine, has posted a series of videos about lymphedema.  Go to this website http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR-9duCfgF0&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL to watch these films. You can learn so much here.

Our thanks to Doris,  a CLT-LANA, for the "heads up" on this resource. She warned that these are lengthy videos (divided into 6 parts); however, she recommends that they are really well worth the time, and very manageable, if you break up your viewings into several sessions.

Updated: 2012-04-29