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Big news! We’ve redesigned our website! We listened to your feedback, suggestions and preferences, and as a result we’ve have changed our whole information set-up. We’ve also added some new features as well. The site is simpler, clearer, and access to desired information is more direct. That was our plan, anyway! Take a look at www.bellisse.com. Let us know if we’ve achieved our mission!
P.S. Heading to the beach this summer and looking for some suggestions for summer reading? Check out our newly expanded “What We’re Reading” section! P.P.S. You can look for our “What We’re Reading” page (or any other page on our site) with our new Site Search function. It will help you move quickly to the information you need. You can use the Search function either by clicking on the lowest left navigation button on the left or by clicking here to go to our Search page: http://www.bellisse.com/search.shtml
From your essence arise your intentions. Your
intentions drive your thoughts. Your thoughts give
rise to your words. Your words are translated into
actions – your actions into habits of behavior. Your
habits of behavior manifest as your contribution to
the world. This is your dharma.
by Lesli Bell, Bellisse co-founder I have had the fantastic opportunity to travel all around our lovely country on behalf of Bellisse to speak and share information about Truncal Lymphedema. I have noticed and learned a few things that I’d like to share with all the readers of our newsletter over the course of the next few months. The first thing I would like to share is how much the retail dealer really can be part of the extended, long- term care team of the cancer and breast cancer patient. Understandably, patients don’t always get all the information that they need from their health care professionals – nurses or doctors – about how to live the rest of their lives after breast cancer. They aren’t told about the options available for managing the changes to their bodies. This is compounded by the fact that often these changes happen months or even years after the patient is done with active medical treatment for their cancer; years later when they are no longer patients, per se. Instead, these women become customers – women in search of solutions for the personal and unique challenges they are facing in their everyday living. Enter their “saviors”: well-informed, compassionate retail dealers with an open mind and heart and lots of product knowledge! The more patients and dealers I’ve spoken with, the more I’ve realized that a knowledgeable dealer is key in helping patients become educated – and empowered. Whether they are medical supply retailers or mastectomy/specialty boutique owners, dealers have the opportunity to be an active participant in the continual improvement of their customers’ quality of life. They can really make a major difference in someone’s life. In general, I believe that there is a large and growing need for advocates who help women deal with the aftermath of breast cancer. Dealers and retailers can play a significant role in filling this gap. I have seen the incredibly positive results when a patient/customer finds such an “aftercare” advocate/retailer – and it’s a real win-win for all parties involved. During an in-service one retailer said to me, “I finally get what this business is really about. It’s not about selling product – it’s about seriously helping people! Facilitating their process, long after they’re off the hospital’s radar screen. I guess that’s why I’m continuing to battle with the insurance companies. For my customers’ sake.” At Bellisse we appreciate the receptivity, respect, and energy that this increasingly important part of the health care team – the retailer – has brought to the challenge of Truncal Lymphedema, and their good work on behalf of our part of the solution for it. Our patient/customers are truly benefiting. We can all feel good about that.
The following was sent to us in response to the Case Study we cited in the May 2006 Bellisse Newsletter. In that case study, we wrote about a patient who was misdiagnosed with orthopedic problems when she really had Truncal Lymphedema.
Thanks Ann! Will do! Here's the link to the article in LymphNotes: www.lymphnotes.com/article.php/id/295/. The article talks about how arm or Truncal Lymphedema can affect the shoulder in the long term, creating or exacerbating orthopedic problems. We also list LymphNotes in the Resources Section of the Bellisse website. ( http://www.bellisse.com/resources/resources.shtml) And here's an email from a Compressure Comfort® Bra wearer:
We’re glad we can help.
By Nancy J. Roberge, PT, DPT, M.Ed. We at Bellisse are excited to feature an article written by an esteemed colleague with a passion for treating breast cancer patients. She asks a very important question we should all consider. Thank you, Nancy, for sharing your ideas with our readers. "No body part is amputated, reconstructed or burned without Physical Therapy intervention as the first line in the rehabilitation process – except the breast. We must stop this discrimination now!" Why is the breast different from other body parts? Why don’t breast surgeons routinely encourage Physical Therapy for patients who undergo breast surgery and/or radiation? That’s the question physical therapist Nancy Roberge asked an audience at the June 2004 American Physical Therapists Association Conference in Chicago, IL.
The good news is that if a woman does develop lymphedema after breast cancer, there are effective therapies that can keep her healthy and comfortable. The key is recognizing the symptoms and seeking treatment quickly. The Bellisse website contains extensive information on lymphedema risks, symptoms, and treatment, as well as links to patient support networks.
In our continuing effort to support and publicize research on Truncal Lymphedema, we would like to encourage our readers to read an article in Rehabilitation Oncology by Shelly L. Wyrick, PT; Leslie J. Waltke, PT; and Alexander V. Ng, PhD. In the article, the authors report that in a study of 31 patients, physical therapy shortened the resolution time of post-surgical lymphatic cording by 2-3 weeks.
Sometimes well-meaning retailers and health care providers worry that women will not be able to afford compression garments for Truncal Lymphedema; others may worry that prescribed compression garments are “too expensive”. For this reason, retailers sometimes substitute inexpensive sports bras for the Compressure Comfort® Bra. But we think this is penny-wise and pound foolish. After all, cost isn’t a barrier for women with insurance, because private insurance companies now may be required by law to cover compression garments for post-mastectomy complications. Besides, what is comfort worth? We’ve done a few calculations that show that the specially-designed comfort of the Compressure Comfort® Bra costs only a couple of dollars a day – less than a cup of coffee! Most women would gladly choose to enjoy a higher quality of life.
If of thy mortal goods thou art bereft
Lymphedema is a dynamic condition, changing with weather, activity, fluctuations in weight, and even hormonal shifts. There are a number of “tricks” lymphedema therapists know to help patients manange changes in their lymphedema. It is important that both patients and therapists know all of the options for edema control and when to use them.
Summer heat exacerbates Truncal Lymphedema for many women. While the heat may make it seem like a chore to wear your compression garments, it’s when you need them the most! Some discomfort due to heat is much better than a flare-up of lymphedema. Some tips to make your summer more comfortable: If at all possible, try to stay in air-conditioned environments. If you don’t need to wear your compression garment all the time, think strategically about the times of day you do wear it. For example, try wearing your compression bra in the mornings and evenings, or even all night instead of all day. This works especially well if you have an air conditioner in your bedroom. Alternatively, if you work in an air- conditioned office, wear your compression bra during the workday and then take it off when you relax at home.
Nobody can give you wiser advice than yourself. ~ Cicero
This newsletter contains articles that we believe will be of general interest to the Bellisse community of lymphedema patients, their family and friends, and their health care providers. Sometimes, however, we have news and links that are of interest to only one of these groups. To be sure that you are you are in all the categories that interest you, please click on the "Update my profile" link at the very bottom of this newsletter. As always, Bellisse will not share your information with anyone else.
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