Catherine was 20 years old and in nursing school when she had elective surgery for varicose veins in her right leg, five years later her leg began to fill with fluid.  Like so many others with lymphedema, accurate diagnosis took a very long time.  Several years passed before she found the appropriate treatment and learned to effectively manage her lymphedema.  As an operating room nurse in a busy Boston hospital, Catherine has finally embraced her lymphedema and is passionate about spreading awareness and educating others about this chronic disease.  She is thrilled to join forces with LE&RN to bring a supportive network for lymphedema to the Boston community.

In 1987, when she was only 19 years old, Lisa was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and she was treated with mantle field radiation.  Approximately 15 years later, after a difficult twin pregnancy, she noticed swelling in her right arm.  She endured several years of doctors’ visits, multiple tests while undiagnosed, until finally one doctor said “you have lymphedema.”  At that moment, she was so thrilled to finally have a diagnosis, but then wondered “what is lymphedema?”  As she began the recommended treatment, she found the treatment was worse than her symptoms and it was affecting her quality of life.  So she began a journey of learning as much as possible about the disease and explored different treatment methods.  She learned she had to become her own advocate and take action into her own hands.  When Lisa learned LE&RN was starting a Massachusetts chapter, she knew right away she had to get involved.