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?

• Go exploring to discover the many features available on the Lymph Notes website. Start by reading the news here on the home page. Some have announcements that will take you to details about that news.
•  There are more than 50 informative articles on this website. To locate the articles of greatest interest to you, click on the article table of contents A Table of Contents. A list of the available articles will appear. Then, all you need to do is to click on the title.
• To locate 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 find the definition of medical terms, go to the search box and type "Lymphedema Glossary." Click on this heading and then search the terms in alphabetical order.
• The Rotator Picture in the upper right corner of the home page will lead you to a patient story. Just click a rotator picture title and this will link to an interesting story. To enjoy the next story, click on the next photo link and that story will appear. 
• 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. Please mention which state 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, MA,  A. 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

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.

Buy now from Amazon.com paperback or Kindle e-book format.

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. 

THE LYMPH NOTES SCHOLARSHIP 

The National Lymphedema Network is proud to announce the establishment of the Lymph Notes Scholarship.

In the United States, access to treatment is still a critical factor for many lymphedema patients. Outside of major metropolitan areas, finding qualified treatment continues to be a major obstacle to care.

To help address the need for increases access to care, this annual scholarship, generously provided in honor of the Lymph Notes website, will cover up to $1,000 tuition for a healthcare professional to obtain specialty lymphedema training and certification.

Applicants are invited to submit an application online at:

http://tinyurl.com/lymphnotesscholarship

The deadline for applications is July 15, 2013.

Questions regarding this scholarship program should be directed to the NLN office at 415-908-3681 or nln@lymphnet.org.

 PROTECT YOURSELF?

For resources to help you understand the need to protect yourself from the hazards of having lymphedema, consult the Lymph Notes Table of Contents to find articles explaining some of these dangers.

BILINGUAL RESOURCES  

• Thanks to the kindness of a good Samaritan, we now have handout is 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).
• If you have patients who speak Spanish, but no English, and you do not speak Spanish, we have found a resource to help both of you. To use this, click on http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/pdq/cuidados-medicos-apoyo/linfedema/Patient. Here you will find quality information in both English and Spanish.  
• For lymphedema risk reduction information in Spanish, click on this website
  http://www.lympnet.org/pdfDocs/nlnriskreduction-spanish.pdforedictPDF
• The Burt and White related lymphedema book became available in Spanish in Feb 2013. For more information go to
  http://www.amazon.com/Linfedema-Lymphedema-Prevencion-Pacientes-Prevention/dp/0897936442

VIDEOS AS TEACHING TOOLS

The use of videos, such as those from Michigan State University (MSU) Rehabilitation Medicine, are excellent teaching tools. Since the links to these videos are difficult to copy, a good way to begin exploring is by going to the U TUBE search bar. Here type in the name of topic you are searching for, such as "Lymphedema, arm bandaging" and click on it. (You may even find some in Spanish.)

CAUTION!

NOT ALL ONLINE VIDEOS ARE RELIABLE.
BE CAREFUL AND SELECT VIDEOS THAT WERE CREATED BY RELIABLE SOURCES!

STANFORD UNIVERSITY BREAST CANCER REGISTRY

In response to the fact that more and more, women are surviving breast cancer, Dr. Stanley Rockson of Stanford University, has established a registry to track the side effects of this treatment, such as lymphedema.

This is your opportunity to take part in this important research project without even leaving home. I’m enrolled and have found the very pleasant staff to be helpful throughout the enrollment process and the periodic information updates.

Patients interested in enrolling can log into the Stanford National Breast Cancer Lymphedema Registry website at http://breastcancer-lymphedema.stanford.edu

For more information, patients can telephone (650)723-1396, or e-mail lymphatic@standmed.org

Biking is fun and good exercise!

@ Lymphnotes.com 2013.  

Updated: 2013-04-23