Introduction: Can you tell us a little about  yourself and your role as a Lymphedema  therapist?

I became a certified lymphedema therapist in 1996 after  receiving a phone call from a breast  cancer support group asking if any of the  physiotherapists at the clinic I owned  treated lymphedema. At that time the  answer was no, and there was very little  information or resources available. My  mother had gone through breast cancer  treatment so I was immediately interested  and began researching how to help  people with lymphedema . 

Inspiration: What inspired you to  specialize in treating lymphedema?

After  receiving that phone call and learning that  there was so little available treatment or  help for people trying to manage lymphedema I immediately was interested  in learning more. I was so fortunate to  have Guenter Klose as my Instructor and he became my mentor which was  invaluable since there were not a lot of  other people with knowledge about how to  manage lymphedema at that time.  Patients were so grateful for any help they  could get it quickly became very rewarding.  

3. What made you join the BCLA? What  value has it brought to your practice in the  last xx years?

The BCLA has become invaluable as a resource to refer people to  and it continues to become even more  valuable as they expand their website and  learning opportunities. It is often the first  valuable resource in the province that  people can access to get started when  trying to learn how to get help in  managing their lymphedema. The  Advocacy Committee has been working  tirelessly lobbying the Ministry of Health to  get access to treatment and in particular  compression garments for anyone diagnosed with lymphedema. I am hopeful  someday this will happen. 

4. Treatment: What types of treatment or  therapies do you usually use to help  patients manage LE?

All four components  of CDT, manual lymph drainage, compression, meticulous skin care, and  remedial exercise. 

5. Memorable Moment: Can you share a memorable experience with a patient that  had a strong impact on you?

There are  many but one that stands out is a woman  who travelled a lot for work and had a demanding job. She had significant  lymphedema in her arm, and despite  every effort had been unable to learn how  to manage it properly. Every time she  became overly exhausted and stressed  with work, she developed cellulitis in her  arm that would lay her up for several  days. This was happening twice a year. 

Once we managed her arm using all  components of CDT her episodes of  cellulitis resolved, her limb size decreased  significantly and she learned how to  manage her lymphedema very well  independently. 

6. Advice: What advice would you give  someone who has just been diagnosed  with lymphedema?

First, please don't  panic, lymphedema can be managed well  but early diagnosis is important.  Fortunately, there are more therapists in  British Columbia becoming Certified in  lymphedema management (in part due to  the generous scholarships being offered  by the BCLA). The BCLA website lists the  certified lymphedema therapists, compression garment fitters and suppliers in the province. If there is no  one in your immediate area to see in  person, I suggest starting with a virtual  appointment with a lymphedema therapist to help you get started. Many clinics in the  province will offer this.

Written by: Janet Sprague