Lymphedema is an abnormal collection of lymphatic fluid in the tissues just beneath the skin. This swelling commonly occurs in the arm or leg, but it may also occur in other body areas including the breast, chest, head and neck, and genitals. Lymphedema develops when a body region, where lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes are missing or impaired, becomes overloaded with lymphatic fluid.
the dreaded lymphedema.
to be clear: i’m not a doctor, nor a specialist in the lymphatic system, nor an expert in the difference between primary and secondary lymphedema. however, i’ve spent 19 months worrying about lymphedema so that must give me some kind of street credibility.
this is the post i desperately wanted and needed after my surgeries. there is so much misinformation out there about lymphedema and a number of generalizations made by the medical community that perpetuate this fear.