Earlier today I went back to the Lymphoedema Service to have a word about my Mk. II stocking. I wore it for the first time ... sorry, let me explain. My Mk. II stocking was supposed to be tighter so it compressed my leg more and it was supposed to have a different fitting at the top, around my thigh, so it would stay up better. I wore the Mk. II for the first time a week ago and within one hundred yards on my first walk with it on it had slipped down around my knee ... and I had long trousers on. Trying to pull it up whilst I was wearing long trousers was a challenge but I managed ... and then it was slipping down again. It was less than successful.
So today I took it back, freshly washed, with one of the first ones I had, to compare them. In short I am now having a third stocking. It seems that when they saw me last time, not so long, after I had come out of hospital my leg was probably still swollen from the cellulitis and so their measurements were never going to work for me as soon as the leg went down slightly.
New measurements were taken !
I am having another Mk. II with revised measurements.
We got to talking about the massage that will help the lymph flow upwards out of my leg and into my body ... and also the exercises. If I do none of these the lymph will just sit in my leg ~ it's the "sloth of the body" is how the nurse described it.
"We don't want your leg to swell any more Charles. We want you to be able to stay fit and get out." she added. She then asked me if I "... had any gentle swelling ...". This baffled me for a split second and then I realised she hadn't said that, I had sllghtly misheard her, ... and I answered "no ... no, at least I don't think so ... I've not looked. No, of course, I haven't got any swelling there, I would have noticed ..."
"Well, that's something you want to avoid Charles. Genital swelling is definitely not something you want ..."
Now I'm waiting for them to let me know when my third stocking has arrived. Hopefully this stocking will work better for me ... and stay up.
Oh ... I will also be massaging my leg and exercising it to make sure there's no more swelling ...
Let's hope the Mark 2 MkII id a good fit, Charlie!!
ReplyDeleteMaybe she'd have taken any 'gentle swelling' as a compliment. LOL.
Thank you, as regards the first part, Mitch. As for your second sentence as I had my Beloved with me I am sure she would have had something to say !
DeleteLOL. I'm sure she would!!
DeleteI really must remember to proofread my spelling in comments before clicking on 'publish', they're not as easy to edit as on Multiply.
There is a 'preview' button next to the 'publish' button but if you're anything like me ... :-)
DeleteI seem to have a blind-spot for 'preview' buttons. I never used the ones on Multiply either, I always clicked on 'edit' and made the amendments myself.
DeleteI know what you mean as regards the 'preview' button ...
DeletePerhaps they should supply you with a suspender belt next time.Ann
ReplyDeleteIt was mentioned Ann ... but that is another of a number of options that are available !
DeleteOK ... time for my tea ! Good night ...
ReplyDeleteI have that problem with my leg bandages falling down all the time,it drives me bonkers
ReplyDeleteIt tends to take the edge off whatever you're doing doesn't it.
DeleteSince they did bring massage to the conversation, I wonder why they are not offering you the Dr. Vodder's. I don't know if there is any in your area but you might want to check their site: http://www.vodderschool.com/ at least there you are certain you will find a certified therapist and if there is a school near your area you might find out if their students do need people to practice, so that way you can have the treatment under the teacher supervision and it saves you money.
ReplyDeleteThese are the only ones trained for lymphoedema.
The massage they are talking about Diane is a very simple and short form of massage ~ no more than ten minutes at a time. It involves just basic stroking of the leg starting at the top from the inside of the leg to the outside and then up the buttock to the bottom of the back ... and so on. It requires no special skill. It can be done at home by me ... or a willing partner etc. If it got worse then there are other options
DeleteThis is how it works in the UK anyway :-)
If this weren't such a serious problem for you, I could have a 'ball' with some of your sentences, in a reply. However, I just got back from a church study group on living Christ's Good News, so I will behave myself, for at least another 15 minutes.
ReplyDeleteYes Karyn, I think it best to behave ! :-)
DeleteSo often you make me laugh. You are good for my soul.
ReplyDeleteThat is good to know ... thank you.
DeleteIf you're massaging your leg to reduce swelling, and you need to avoid swelling in the 'gentle' area too... doesn't that suggest you should be working on the latter as well? :-/
ReplyDeleteI say ... steady on ! :-)
DeleteGentle swelling indeed.... (o;
ReplyDeleteGood news that the stocking was too large, right?
Be well my friend.
Indeed ...
DeleteIdeally the stocking should be compressing so it needs to be tight. I suppose the fact that one of the stockings is too big does suggest that the swelling has gone down ... and not up.
Thank you River for your good wishes.