b'FOREWORD SECTION 1: WHAT IS LYMPHEDEMA (LE)?FOREWORD INTRODUCTIOND uring my time serving as thebetter understand the disease process. IT here is a well quoted statistic that only 15for all patients with lymphatic disorders. In our first National Spokesperson for learned facts I didnt know, so I will keepminutes are spent in all 4 years of medicalmeeting, it became clear that we shared similar the Lymphatic Education &this book handy for my futureschool dedicated to the lymphatic system.visions. In the midst of an evolving partnership and Research Network, I have had countlessengagements. I sincerely hope KeepingLooking back, that sounds about right. incredible friendship, he invited me to speak at the opportunities to engage with physiciansthe Train on Track will find its way toIn 2012, after returning to the States from Taiwan wherefirst CME course for physicians in 2018 at theand patients. Their first question is always,clinics and hospitals everywhere. I completed my fellowship training, I was committed Harvard Club in Boston on The Overview of Surgical What exactly is the lymphatic systemMy gratitude always to Bill Repicci, to starting a lymphatic program. However, doing so, Treatments for Lymphedema. By this time, theand how does it work? I have struggledour CEO of LE&RN, for his support of I had to not only go and explain lymphatic surgerytrain analogy had become a fixture in my talks.to find a clear and concise way to explainthis project and for his indefatigableprocedures to patients and physicians, I had to explainAs the course ended, an exuberant young woman the essential function that lymphatics toughness both here in the US andWhat is lymphedema?. In giving countless lectures approached me. She was interested in converting the play in the bodys vascular and immunearound the globe educating andto patient survivor groups, medical societies, andtrain analogy into cartoon panels for her website. systems. It is essential to emphasize advocating for those of us who suffer cancer centers, I was often faced with blank staresMegan Belanger is a certified lymphedema therapist the severity of lymphatic disease (LD) with lymphedema. I am one of them. while trying to explain an entire disease process andAND an accomplished cartoon artist. Incredible. She and lymphedema (LE) when that systempotential surgical interventions in 45 minutes.had the talent to bring the train analogy to life and is damaged. Otherwise this incurableFinally, Ive often quoted Isaiah 11:6, And a little child disease goes undiagnosed for years while itwill lead them. So, I want to bless Kalyan Singhal In the midst of this experience, my son, Kalyan, wasunderstood lymphedema. Megan tactfully merged progresses to stages more difficult, if not impossible, for inspiring his dad and all of us as we march slowlyborn. Kalyan loved trains. Sitting on our living roomher intimate knowledge of lymphatic disorders,to treat. but surely to a cure. floor one day Kalyan was moving his toy trains this an incredible sense of humor, and artistic talentway and that and the analogy hit me. After months ofinto the beautiful panels you are about to read. The In this entertaining and clever book by Dr. Dhruvplaying the analogy out in my head, I began trialing itdevelopment of this book was the natural next step.Singhal of Harvard Medical School, with charmingin lectures. Soon, instead of blank stares, I was gettingMegan and I hope that regardless of whether youcartoons by Certified Lymphedema Therapist Meganthe knowing nods that gives a speaker assurance thatare a patient with lymphedema, a health care providerBelanger, the mystery of how the lymphatic systemtheir message is getting across. I began using thelearning about lymphedema, or a lymphedema expert, works is revealed in simple terms. This book will Kathy Batesanalogy with patients in clinic and hearing, This is that you will find this analogy helpful. After all, weserve to educate children and adults suffering withJanuary 2020the first time I really understand lymphedema. must first understand. lymphedema as well as a model for physicians toLos Angeles, CAI was a lymphatic surgeon for 5 years when my fortuneDhruv Singhal, MD had my paths cross with Bill Repicci, the President andJanuary 2020 CEO of LE&RN. Bill is a tireless leader and advocateBoston, MA2 UNDERSTANDING LYMPHEDEMA: KEEPING THE TRAIN ON TRACK UNDERSTANDING LYMPHEDEMA: KEEPING THE TRAIN ON TRACK 3'