Nancy's Lymphoedema Story

“The team provided a calm and safe atmosphere to help deal with the condition I had hoped never to have, making it manageable and helping me to be more positive going forward.”

At Teesside Hospice, we’re all about helping people create lasting memories. Nancy, a patient at our Lymphoedema Clinic, shared how through our support, she’s been able to live life to the fullest, enjoying swimming, long walks, and even a trip to India!

“I was referred to the lymphoedema clinic following an inguinal lymph node dissection for recurrent malignant melanoma. I’d had lots of complications during recovery, including being left with lymphoedema, particularly in one leg. At the lymphoedema clinic the nurses did a full and thorough assessment. They carefully measured the circumference of my legs, and were able to see how much fluid was in my legs using a special tool. They could compare the measurements over time, and showed me the results when I asked (which I appreciated).

They thoroughly explained what the condition was, the possible complications, and also what could be done to manage it, including: massage technique; wearing compression stockings; keeping my leg raised as much as possible; avoiding keeping it down for any length of time; and appropriate exercise, such as swimming, walking, specific exercises.

They ordered special compression stockings for me and showed me how to put them on (which is not such an easy thing, but very much worth the effort!). The staff offered a lot of encouragement and I was able to phone with any questions in between regular appointments. They told me what to do if there were problems. I found this all very reassuring and helpful.

With the guidance and encouragement of the nurses and staff at the clinic, I have been able to successfully manage the lymphoedema, and it has not progressed, which is a big relief. Although it took getting used to, wearing the compression stockings regularly, every day and all day (luckily not at night!), really helps from noticing the swelling in my leg.

The nurses gave me advice about getting out and about, and travelling abroad, giving me confidence to live life to the fullest. I’m enjoying swimming every week, long walks and even travelled to India! They reassured me that I was taking the right steps, even though I thought I was perhaps being extreme.

The regular reviews and then finally discharge from the clinic back to my GP was very reassuring, knowing that I could be referred back if there was any problem in the future.

I found all members of the team to be kind, caring, and very professional. During my visits, the nurses took time and listened compassionately, which was therapeutic in itself! They always asked how I was getting on and managing, and were very empathetic.

Alongside the care of hospital medical staff, the Lymphoedema team provided an extremely valuable additional support, particularly after such a big operation and scary diagnosis. They were able to offer specific expert advice about lymphoedema.

All members of the team provided a calm and safe atmosphere to help deal with the condition I had hoped never to have, making it manageable and helping me to be more positive going forward.

I hadn’t realised that the Teesside Hospice wasn’t just an end-of-life care facility, and was very impressed that all of the care (including the compression stockings!) was charity based.

I am extremely grateful for the care provided by the Lymphoedema clinic and all the members of staff and offer my sincere thanks! We now donate anything we can to the Teesside Hospice stores, knowing that part of the money goes to the Lymphoedema clinic (and I have started making crafts which can be sold at the little shop in the Teesside Hospice, next to the clinic, to help raise money for their wonderful services).”

There are many ways to support our hospice – through fundraising, through volunteering, and through donating to our retail shops, just like Nancy. To find out more, visit Support Us | Teesside Hospice.