Life with Lymphedema

My family doctor noticed an unusual lump or bump on my leg last week when I was in having my foot looked at.  Today I saw a Vascular Surgeon to follow up – that and the fact my little toe is numb.

The good news is that it appears the bump is just another side effect of the creeping disease.  He indicated that since I walked all day on Monday at the State Fair in shoes that were binding, that was the cause of my toe being numb, and the feeling should come back soon.  So go back to my open-topped, let-the-foot-swell-to-it’s-heart’s-content shoe.  K. 

He’s bringing me back next week for a leg ultrasounds, for shiggles.  He just wants to ensure the two-decade old lymphedema hasn’t damaged any of the veins or arteries, making the disease appear to be worse than it is.  It could also be the cause of some of the discomfort I’ve had over the past few weeks… Fun fun!!!!

Sigh.  Swelling, infections, irritations, cramps, bruises, pains.  My life with this leg.  It’s really beginning to be a bigger pain in the ass than I want to deal with right now.  Oh well… it is what it is, I guess! 

So thanks to my friends and family thinking of me these past few days while we waited for the outcome of this appointment.  We don’t know with 100% certainty that the bump is nothing, but the doc seemed reasonably relaxed about it, which in turn makes me relaxed…