After watching Dr Hannah Fry's programme on Life after Cancer, my friend read an article about the Oxford Lymphoedema Clinic. Dr Hannah Fry developed Lymphoedema in one leg after surgery for Cervival cancer, she subsequently had LVA surgery at the clinic to prevent progress of the condition. My Lymphoedema is in both legs and groin and as a keen cyclist I really did not want this condition to affect my mobility so I contacted the clinic, went for a Lymphogram and was told that my lymphatic were normal up to the knee but the damage in the groin meant lymph fluid spread over into lower pelvis and tummy. I was told that I was a good candidate for LVA surgery as I was still in early stages so I had my surgery on 20th December under local anaesthesia to both legs, 2 cuts on each. Everything was painless and recovery is 2 weeks of mostly elevation plus 4 weeks of no cycling or gym.
I feel so happy to know that I wouldn't end up with elephantitis! This surgery can also be done for breast cancer survivors and there is also help for those who are in advance stages of Lymphoedema through lymph node transfer and liposuction.
