Megan was born with primary lymphedema (LE) in her left leg and foot. Prior to birth, doctors told her mom she might be having twins because her leg was so large.  As a toddler, the right leg and foot also became affected and doctors began a series of debulking surgeries to reduce the limb size and help with mobility. At age twelve, it was decided to take a break from the annual surgeries after that point the swelling became stable for a very long time. 

Megan went on to marry her high school sweetheart, become a mom of two amazing boys, and a registered nurse. She worked at the bedside, and in pre-admission testing with oncology patients. Then after a surgery unrelated to LE, surgeons had to take lymph nodes from Megan’s abdomen. This caused her lower extremities to swell, and LE had now affected in her trunk, abdomen, and left arm.  At this point, Megan left nursing for additional lymphedema therapy which she continues to this day. 

When Megan found LE&RN she was disappointed that Pennsylvania did not have a chapter. Passionate about LE&RN’s mission, she decided to get involved and co-chair the tri-state chapter. She is excited to host events and pleased to have resources to direct to all people associated with lymphedema to.  

Throughout Megan’s journey as a rare case she has always self-advocated. She’s had to educate many health care professionals, family, friends, and later professionally, her patients. She grew up having to navigate lymphedema alone, and without resources. Now she is most thankful for LE&RN so that she can help others. She looks forward to growing the chapter, and being included in this important work. 

Katie is living with secondary Lymphedema which developed 5 years after she ended treatments for ovarian cancer. When her leg began to swell, she went to countless doctors looking for the reason and was surprised to find out how little the medical community knew about her condition. As she searched for answers and treatment (trying everything from hanging upside down to wrapping her leg in cabbage leaves!) she finally found LE&RN. 

At LE&RN she began to get answers based in science and the experience of others with the same condition. LE&RN gave her the information to find therapists and treatments that help her live with Lymphedema. She started speaking up for other people who were told to “just live with it”, including a family member who had been diagnosed years before but never treated. In 2018 she was honored with the LE&RN Advocate Award at the Washington DC Walk and will continue to speak out about this until a cure is available to everyone suffering with Lymphedema.