Deborah

San Rafael, CA

I was diagnosed with metatastic squamous cell cancer, located in the right groin lymph nodes. The doctors never found the primary. I went through surgery, chemo and radiation, but it was the radiation that created the lymphedema, both in the groin, the mons pubis (collateral damage) and my right buttock (splattering through my body). I have been working on the swelling and pain for the past 1.5 years. FINALLY, I have been able to come to terms with the fact that this is the way it is. Acceptance helps! I am now (and have been) wearing both compression panty hose daily, a night garment, and using the sequential pump every evening. Additionally, I do a self massage every morning to move the lymph and have a professional lymphatic massage once a month. I have just started on medical marijuana, both in capsule form and a topical ointment called Sweet ReLeaf (love the name). Seems to be giving me some relief from the pain of sitting for more than an hour.