b'my heart was strong they later told me my heart was the cause ofKATIE BOLSINGERmy problem and I needed heart surgery. Because of the discrepancy I sought a second opinion where I found the correct diagnosis to beCedar Rapids, IAlymphatic disease. That doctor, an internal medicine physician,When I was 50 my legs started filling with fluid. I was sent to helped me quite a bit but got to a point where he could do no moreseveral specialists and run through many tests to try and figure out for me. I have not been able to find another doctor who can helpwhy. I was finally sent to Dr. Wei Chen who informed me that I me and my legs are again swollen to the point where walking ishave lipedema, which was causing my lymphedema. He told meclose to impossible. When I seek help from local doctors theyI have probably had lipedema my entire life. I have struggled with check my heart, find it OK, then tell me there is nothing wrongmy weight since I was little. My self esteem was always low because with me. It is terrible being sick and nobody recognizes theI thought Iwas a weak person because I was always overweight.disorder. That should never happen in a town with a majorI think if doctors were more aware of this condition I wouldnt have medical school. Someone needs to help me before it is too late. struggled so much my entire life with dieting and hating myself.I am still finding other issues I have that relate to this. Many symptoms that doctors just blew off because they didnt understand JAMIE CAMPBELL PETTY it was a result of lipedema. One of those symptoms is pain andMartinsville, IN with my weight increasing due to the lipedema, my pain is also Through several friends with lymphedema, resulting from theirincreasing. If liposuction was allowed through insurance, I could cancer diagnosis/treatment, I have seen the significant and painfulhave less pain and a better quality of life. Also, now that I know impact on their lives. There must be more funding to help thewhat diseases I am dealing with, I could better manage any millions who suffer with lymphedema. They deserve the meansrecurring lipedema and slow future progress.with which to have a better quality of life, which would be accomplished by proper research and resulting treatments andMINDY BOWENcures. Please support funding for necessary research! Coralville, IAI am a Lymphedema Nurse Specialist. I have seen this disease NANCY KAY FRANK disable and destroy patients lives. I have seen the sadness in Noblesville, IN patients eyes when they are told their insurance wont cover the I have witnessed, through friends and family, the impact on qualitydiagnostics, the therapy and garments, or the surgical interventions of life as a result of lymphedema. In particular, two friends wereto help them. None of these patients asked for this disease; it is diagnosed with lymphedema as a result of cancer diagnosis andsecondary to cancer treatments or primary lymphedema that they treatment. Please support appropriate funding for research tohave no control over. As a nurse I say we need to do better!find a treatment. These people need your assistance to ensureWe need more education and more research. This isnt a disease they enjoy a good quality of life. Thank you! that should be ignored. Lets move forward, dont be oblivious to this disease! Lets be proactive! GUY PETTY VALERIE BRIGGSMartinsville, IN Shawnee, KSThrough several friends and family with lymphedema, resultingAs a certified lymphedema therapist, I have received five from their cancer diagnosis/treatment, I have seen the significantmisdiagnosed lymphedema cases in the last six months.and painful impact on their lives. There must be more funding toThese patients, private and public insurance companies have help the millions who suffer with lymphedema. Please supportwasted valuable funding on a wrong diagnosis, due to a lack of funding for necessary research! lymphedema education. One patient in particular, a 27-year-old male, was referred out six times, ending in an oncology referral without even one diagnostic test. Had the medical community been better supported in lymphedema education and funding, Lets pass some comprehensive bill in Congress that gives as much money to lymphedema research as other debilitating diseases. And, yes, lets find a cure!Kimberly Byle, Dunedin, FLAN AMERICAN TRAGEDY 19'