(no subject)

[turps]

I had my first manual lymph drainage massage on Wednesday

It was a good session, the actual massage part maybe about 40 minutes after initial talking about my issues. The lady is a specialist in lymphedema and lipodemea and while I have both, she says I now have more lipoedema than lymphedema which I can agree with after reading up a lot about both.

The MLD massage itself was to help get the fluid moving, and included lots of soft movements over my legs and soft balls used to create pressure against my lymph nodes behind my knees and at my groin, as apparently those are the main ones that get blocked and affect the lower legs.

Sadly there's not a cure, apart from liposuction, where the damaged fat cells are sucked out, which is hardly ever done on the NHS. So it's a case of management, which consists of wearing compressions, exercise and diet. She suggested I get some tight leggings to help compress my upper legs, which is a good idea as while I have my thigh high compressions the way they're designed means I can only wear them in the house when I'm just pottering around as they're not designed to grip at the top.

I've also got some kineseo tape stuck to my inner arm to check for allergies, as at the next appointment she's going to try taping to help ease some hard ridges over my shins that have been caused by years worth of trapped fluid.

Really, it was just good to talk to someone who actually knows what the conditions are, and can sympathise that they kinda suck. And also complain about how under diagnosed both conditions are, especially lipodemea as apparently many females suffer from it to some extent, and yet it's just written off as obesity.

Today we were swimming in the morning, then we drove to Durham for a brief walk and then on to the Odeon to watch The Long Walk, which was good, but pretty bleak. I'd read it was different to the original Stephen King novel, so I looked up the changes, and they're quite big. So while I enjoyed it, I'm not sure what the book lovers will be thinking.

The uni freshers have been arriving at Durham lately, so there was a nice vibe and market going on in the square when we went for our walk. There was a DJ set going on from the back of a Red Bull wagon and lots of giveaways. James nabbed himself a notebook and pen, and is now apparently an honorary fresher *g*

Houghton Feast starts tonight. The fair is in town, there's the official opening show and ceremony, but storm Amy has also arrived with driving rain and strong winds, so I'm assuming some things will be cancelled. Which is such a shame, as it's been such lovely autumn weather this last week until now.

Comments

[sweettartheart]

I hope you're not allergic to the tape and can try that! I hope it doesn't dry out your skin.

[turps]

Fingers crossed as no reactions to the tape as yet and she said to just leave it on for a few days.

[jacieleigh]

Glad you had a good session with a knowledgeable person!

I'd be happy to take some rain off your hands! It's been a very dry summer here. I watered pretty well, except I was gone on vacation the week before they seeded the yard, so now it's a very dry yard, and we have no rain in sight, with temps still hitting 90F.

[turps]

She really knew her stuff. I'm not sure how long I'll keep going as each session is pretty expensive, but a few at least so I can get all the tips and this initial boost with the massage.

Yeah, it's been really dry here, too. But we got plenty of rain recently! I'd have to send the rain with no wind, though as your seeds would blow away!

[spikedluv]

That appointment sound like it really did some good, both the talking and the massage. I hadn't realized that the lymph nodes could get 'clogged'. (I don't know how you do Christmas/birthday gifting in your family, but could you ask for cash to put towards another appointment?)

Congrats to James! I'd be very happy with a pen and notebook!

[turps]

Honestly, the talking and the massage were both just as important as each other, really. But yeah, apparently lymph nodes can get clogged, and it stops the lymph fluid from flowing nicely and eventually ends with bad swelling and fluid retention.

That's a good idea about the gifting, and could get a few more sessions, thanks for that thought.

They're a nice pen and notebook, too *g*

[spikedluv]

You're welcome! (And if people balk at giving 'just' cash (even though it's for a good reason), perhaps she offers gift cards?)

[shadowhive]

I’m glad that talking to someone helped and I hope the massages help🧡

Yeah I got the vibe that The Long Walk was bleak from all the trailers. That does make me curious how big the changes are. Adaptions always have some form of change so hopefully book enjoyers were ok with them

Oh that sounds fun! And that’s so sweet😄

Oh that’s such a shame about the storm hitting, of course it would hit while an event is happening. Hopefully the storm didn’t last too long for you

[turps]

The massage was nice, it's the first one I'd had so wasn't sure going in if I'd like it, but I did.

The biggest change in The Long Walk was something that completely changed the ending. I suspect that wouldn't go down well with the book readers, but I was reading King himself asked for some changes, like the speed the walkers have to remain over going from 4mph to 3mph, which is slightly more realistic I guess. But yeah, it was bleak and included some close up graphic violence.

It's still windy today, but nowhere near as bad as Friday when everything ended up being cancelled. The opening ceremony, the fair rides, not a thing ended up going ahead.

[pensnest]

The massage sessions sounds very helpful. Are you able to do the stuff with the soft balls for yourself? It's definitely nice to be able to talk about the condition with someone who really knows her stuff.

It has been very blowy here, and I expect it's worse where you are. I hope the Feast happens in whatever form is safe for everyone.

[turps]

It was so good to talk to someone who knew the conditions so well. Obviously, the people I see at the hospice also know their stuff, but they're also NHS based so only have a limited time to talk and address only the most immediate issues.

I suspect a stress ball could be used for the soft ball, as long as it's one of the denser kinds and not gel. I need to look into that because I do think more regular massage could be very helpful.

Sadly all events were cancelled for the Feast on Friday, sensibly so as big branches came down in the area where the opening ceremony would have been held. But everything was back on yesterday, even if it was still a bit windy. Same for today and the air is full of the usual Feast sounds of music, people yelling from the rides and the smell of cooking onions and candy floss.

[ephemera]

The specialist massage appointment sounds really good - I hope it's been helpful practically, but just having that conversation with someone who really deeply understands the issues sounds - affirming? (Hopefully you're not allergic to the tape, and can swing a few more appointments.)

I hope Amy didn't completely cancel the Feast - you've got to be safe, but such bad timing!

[turps]

I hope it's been helpful practically, but just having that conversation with someone who really deeply understands the issues sounds - affirming?

Affirming is a good way of describing it. It was so good to talk to someone who was such an expert at both conditions, and could give ways to help manage them. Sadly, I know they'll never go away completely, but I do know what to do to help ease the issues, which is a big plus.

Sadly, Amy cancelled everything on Friday. Which was a good thing as quite a few big branches came down in the place where the opening ceremony was due to be held. But everything else has gone ahead, despite it still being blustery out there. It's the firework show tonight, so that should be fun. Though, I'll be watching from my house!

[turlough]

I'm so glad to hear the session with the massage lady went so well! Keeping my fingers crossed you're not allergic!

James nabbed himself a notebook and pen, and is now apparently an honorary fresher

It's never too late to start that uni educations ;-D

Totally sucky timing by Storm Amy!

[turps]

It was a good session with the massage lady, though I suspect I'll only go a couple of times due to cost.

Well, James is acing uni education in terms of getting freebies *g*

Storm Amy's timing was terrible!

[rikes]

Glad to hear your first appointment was helpful, both physically and mentally! *\o/*

[turps]

Glad to hear your first appointment was helpful, both physically and mentally! *\o/*

It really was! Thank you.

[wenchpixie]

Well done James! a free pen and notebook are not to be sneezed at.

Oh gosh, it's time for the the Feast again already? That seems to have come around so fast!


Yours specialist massage lady sounds excellent, and the sessions sound like they're going to be really useful for you, even if the chances of lipo are small, it does sound like there's still some places for things to go for you.

[turps]

They're a decent notebook and pen, too. It seems they look after the Durham freshers.

I know, I can hardly believe it was Feast time either. Once we got the first few months out of the way it feels like this year has flown by.


Yours specialist massage lady sounds excellent, and the sessions sound like they're going to be really useful for you
Mostly it was good to talk to someone who was an expert in the conditions. She really knows her stuff, and was surprised the lymph clinic nurses hadn't tried taping before. But I guess time will always be an issue for them/NHS appointments. One visit every six months doesn't give much time beyond getting the essentials, like measuring, done.