My New Vocabulary

 It's been just about a month since the diagnosis, and I can't even believe how much I've learned about lymphedema.  Words like "stockinette" roll off my tongue as if I've been saying them for years.  I even know what they mean!  Here are a few of the main words I've learned:

Stockinette - The soft cotton sleeve that goes over the leg.  It looks like the cover my mom uses on her rolling pin, except lots bigger.

Short Stretch Bandages - The type of bandages used in lymphedema treatment.  They look like ACE bandages but they're not as stretchy.  You also can't find them at a regular drugstore.  They come in a variety of sizes.  For MA's bandaging I use a 6, 8, 3 10s, and 4 12s.  

MLD - aka Manual Lymph Drainage - the type of gentle massage that helps push the stagnant lymph fluid out of the affected limb.  This can be done by the patient him/herself or by a trained therapist.

Fixing Bandage - a type of loose bandage with velcro at one end, used to "fix" or keep, the foam in place.

Foam - Custom-cut pieces that pad the limb when putting on the short stretch bandages.

Roman Sandal - the bandaging pattern that goes on the foot.

HAS - Heel, Ankle, Sole - the bandaging pattern that follows the Roman Sandal, and follows the heel, ankle, sole pattern of wrapping.

Complete Decongestive Therapy - the process of bringing lymphedema under control, it consists of nighttime bandaging, daytime compression garments, MLD, skin care, diet, and exercise.

Cellulitis - an infection of the tissues in the affected limb.  The fluid is protein-rich (ok I don't really know what that means), and it allows for infection to develop and spread more rapidly than in an affected limb.  It's easily treated with antibiotics if caught early.  If not, it might mean IV antibiotics.

Reid Sleeve - a type of nighttime garment that looks like a thigh-high boot that zips and has velcro straps across the zipper.  Once MA's leg is down to a more manageable size, she'll be fitted for a Reid Sleeve, and we won't have to do the nightly bandaging.

Bandage Roller - A little contraption that screws to the wall, kind of like a pencil sharpener.  It helps roll bandages so they don't have to be done manually.

mmHG (Millimeters of Mercury) - The amount of compression in a garment.  We started MA off with a 20-30 mmHG stocking, now she's up to 40-50 mmHG.  It's hideous and uncomfortable, but soon MA will be measured for a custom-fit compression stocking, which should be easier to tolerate.

Fibrosis - when the tissue stays full of lymph fluid, it actually begins to change composition.  It becomes hard and dense, and has dry, crusty areas.