Donation protected
Mary's Story in her words:
October 2nd, 2008 - The day my world turned upside down. On this day, I learnt about a medical condition called Lymphedema, how it affected my Lymphatic System and my life.
Our Lymphatic System is the water flow in our bodies. In the Lymphatic system, we have Lymph Nodes. Lymph Nodes help flush out toxins and keep our immune system high. When you have damaged or missing Lymph Nodes, it can stop the water flow in the body and can cause Lymphedema. Lymphedema is a swelling that is 24/7 and can affect any part of your body, like arms or legs. In my case, it affected my entire right leg.
On October 2nd 2008, it was a normal day at work. The back of my ankle was slightly hit by a trolley, which caused a cut and began to bleed. I thought nothing of it. Like cmon, it’s just a little scratch and blood, right?
After work, i went straight home and had a shower. As soon as the water hit my ankle, it began to swell like i had never seen before. It frightened me and I instantly had a bad feeling in my gut, but I didn’t know what it was and how to deal with it. I didn’t think it was that serious, so I went to bed and hoped it would be healed by the next morning.
The next day, my ankle had gone down a little, but not completely. I was concerned, so I went to the doctors that morning. The doctor told me it was an infection and gave me medication.
Once I had finished the dose of medication, my ankle was still bloated and didn’t go back down to normal. I went back to the same doctor, he said it is still infected and gave me more of the same drugs.
I knew something wasn’t right. I just felt it.
So I went from doctor to doctor, desperately trying to find answers. I was freaking out as my ankle was getting bigger and bigger and expanding to my leg. And nothing. The doctors had nothing.
I had no choice, but to do my own research. This was the day I found out about the medical condition of Lymphedema. My eyes were glued to the screen, going through every symptom matching to my now life-changing problem. Tears started to swell in my eyes with disbelief. I needed clarification. So i went to see the doctor again.
My heart crushed that day. He confirmed I had Lymphedema. Hearing those words come out of his mouth was like the world froze. After everything I had read online about Lymphedema, ‘incurable’ was all that stood out.
My condition got so bad. I couldn’t wear shoes or pants. It affected my whole leg and it is completely swollen till this day.
I get pain in my leg every other day, it is very unpredictable. When it’s hot, the humidity affects my leg much worse. My leg swells more and it puts so much pressure on my joints. It makes it difficult for me to move and it is extremely painful.
After all this, I was still constantly trying to find a solution. Just anything to keep me hanging onto hope.
I am naturally a silly, outgoing person who loves to laugh. When I was going through all of this, I was in the darkest place.
When weeks turned into months, and months turned into years. I couldn’t see hope or light anymore. I was locking myself in my room, constantly crying. My thoughts were running crazy in my mind. Really bad thoughts. Thoughts where I wouldn’t see the light again.
I couldn’t do that to my family. I couldn’t do that to myself! It is the most selfish act and my family would only blame themselves. My family helped me all they could.
I avoided people. I didn’t want to socialize. I didn’t want to be around anyone, even my family.
All I did was cry. There were times I would hide in the bathroom at work and cry my heart out. I didn’t want people to see that side of me. I felt pathetic, weak and vulnerable.
I stopped doing things I loved. I was a beach bum, but I was so embarrassed of my leg once I got this condition. People stared. I lost my confidence and self worth. I didn’t know who I was anymore.
One day I decided to join martial arts. That helped me mentally. So much that I believe it may of saved my life. I punched and kicked out all of my anger and frustrations.
I have tried so many things along the years.. doctors, natural doctors, exercise and more. I even travelled around the world to find results.
Every time I tried something, it failed. A part of me died inside. Every. Single. Time.
As hard as it was, I kept going. Until 2015, I found a doctor in France who was adamant that she could help me and cure my condition. I was very hopeful and willing to try anything. So I took the first flight to Paris to have surgery. It was the most scariest and intense thing I’ve ever done. I didn’t realise how big of a deal it was until I came back to Australia and was like, “wow! I did that!”
It was a very hard experience. I was there with no family. Though, I was thankful that my best friend was there by my side.
After the surgery, in recovery at the hospital, it was the most difficult. Not one doctor or nurse spoke English. It was very frustrating. I was in so much pain. It was hard to ask for what I needed. I stabbed my leg with a needle at one point to ensure my blood flow was going. I just wanted to leave.
It was an experience, but the surgery was unsuccessful. A very expensive one too. Though, it did help me mentally. I became more accepting of this condition and came to terms that this is my life now. I had to stop punishing myself and go back to doing things I love.
Like the beach! That was one place I absolutely loved that soothed me. I didn’t go to the beach for years. I thought to myself that this condition is out of my control and started to brush off people’s stares and opinions!
Till today, I still hate people staring. It’s a burden I just can’t shake off. I really try not to follow their eyes looking at my leg, but I can’t help it. My heart drops into my stomach every time and I hold back tears. I then take deep breaths to stop myself from being emotional and I keep walking with my head held high.
I believe we all have personal issues and problems that we deal with. Mine aren’t anymore worse or important than someone else’s, so I never showed anyone this side of me or spoke about it. I don’t need anyone’s sympathy and I don’t like to be a downer or ruin the vibe.
So I continue being my loud, annoying self and drowned out my pain with constant laughter, even when it is at my own expense.
Lymphedema is becoming a bigger problem in society and is slowly gathering awareness. It is still quite undeveloped for cures, but there are more and more studies and tests to help this condition.
Now, it finally comes down to this. I found a hospital in Sydney. They are doing new tests that show exactly how to maintain a damaged Lymphatic System flow and how to maintain damaged Lymph Nodes.
I went to Sydney and met the doctors. They checked me up and said I was a perfect candidate. It seems very promising.
In 11 years, this is the first time that I’ve seen images of a successful treatment of one of the doctor’s patients.It is proof. It was successful. It made my heart scream for joy.
I made an appointment and will be doing the surgery next month!
The downfall is the damage is about $17,000.
That may not be a lot of money for some, but it is for me. In the past 11 years, I have spent more money then I can afford by trying to find a cure or anything to help maintain this condition, which I’m still paying off till this day. Any donation will help. No matter how high or low. I will forever be grateful.
It will take a year for recovery and for the Lymphedema to come back down to normal size.
It will be challenging. My emotions will be running wild like a roller coaster. But I got this. I want this.
Thank you for reading.
Wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. xxx
October 2nd, 2008 - The day my world turned upside down. On this day, I learnt about a medical condition called Lymphedema, how it affected my Lymphatic System and my life.
Our Lymphatic System is the water flow in our bodies. In the Lymphatic system, we have Lymph Nodes. Lymph Nodes help flush out toxins and keep our immune system high. When you have damaged or missing Lymph Nodes, it can stop the water flow in the body and can cause Lymphedema. Lymphedema is a swelling that is 24/7 and can affect any part of your body, like arms or legs. In my case, it affected my entire right leg.
On October 2nd 2008, it was a normal day at work. The back of my ankle was slightly hit by a trolley, which caused a cut and began to bleed. I thought nothing of it. Like cmon, it’s just a little scratch and blood, right?
After work, i went straight home and had a shower. As soon as the water hit my ankle, it began to swell like i had never seen before. It frightened me and I instantly had a bad feeling in my gut, but I didn’t know what it was and how to deal with it. I didn’t think it was that serious, so I went to bed and hoped it would be healed by the next morning.
The next day, my ankle had gone down a little, but not completely. I was concerned, so I went to the doctors that morning. The doctor told me it was an infection and gave me medication.
Once I had finished the dose of medication, my ankle was still bloated and didn’t go back down to normal. I went back to the same doctor, he said it is still infected and gave me more of the same drugs.
I knew something wasn’t right. I just felt it.
So I went from doctor to doctor, desperately trying to find answers. I was freaking out as my ankle was getting bigger and bigger and expanding to my leg. And nothing. The doctors had nothing.
I had no choice, but to do my own research. This was the day I found out about the medical condition of Lymphedema. My eyes were glued to the screen, going through every symptom matching to my now life-changing problem. Tears started to swell in my eyes with disbelief. I needed clarification. So i went to see the doctor again.
My heart crushed that day. He confirmed I had Lymphedema. Hearing those words come out of his mouth was like the world froze. After everything I had read online about Lymphedema, ‘incurable’ was all that stood out.
My condition got so bad. I couldn’t wear shoes or pants. It affected my whole leg and it is completely swollen till this day.
I get pain in my leg every other day, it is very unpredictable. When it’s hot, the humidity affects my leg much worse. My leg swells more and it puts so much pressure on my joints. It makes it difficult for me to move and it is extremely painful.
After all this, I was still constantly trying to find a solution. Just anything to keep me hanging onto hope.
I am naturally a silly, outgoing person who loves to laugh. When I was going through all of this, I was in the darkest place.
When weeks turned into months, and months turned into years. I couldn’t see hope or light anymore. I was locking myself in my room, constantly crying. My thoughts were running crazy in my mind. Really bad thoughts. Thoughts where I wouldn’t see the light again.
I couldn’t do that to my family. I couldn’t do that to myself! It is the most selfish act and my family would only blame themselves. My family helped me all they could.
I avoided people. I didn’t want to socialize. I didn’t want to be around anyone, even my family.
All I did was cry. There were times I would hide in the bathroom at work and cry my heart out. I didn’t want people to see that side of me. I felt pathetic, weak and vulnerable.
I stopped doing things I loved. I was a beach bum, but I was so embarrassed of my leg once I got this condition. People stared. I lost my confidence and self worth. I didn’t know who I was anymore.
One day I decided to join martial arts. That helped me mentally. So much that I believe it may of saved my life. I punched and kicked out all of my anger and frustrations.
I have tried so many things along the years.. doctors, natural doctors, exercise and more. I even travelled around the world to find results.
Every time I tried something, it failed. A part of me died inside. Every. Single. Time.
As hard as it was, I kept going. Until 2015, I found a doctor in France who was adamant that she could help me and cure my condition. I was very hopeful and willing to try anything. So I took the first flight to Paris to have surgery. It was the most scariest and intense thing I’ve ever done. I didn’t realise how big of a deal it was until I came back to Australia and was like, “wow! I did that!”
It was a very hard experience. I was there with no family. Though, I was thankful that my best friend was there by my side.
After the surgery, in recovery at the hospital, it was the most difficult. Not one doctor or nurse spoke English. It was very frustrating. I was in so much pain. It was hard to ask for what I needed. I stabbed my leg with a needle at one point to ensure my blood flow was going. I just wanted to leave.
It was an experience, but the surgery was unsuccessful. A very expensive one too. Though, it did help me mentally. I became more accepting of this condition and came to terms that this is my life now. I had to stop punishing myself and go back to doing things I love.
Like the beach! That was one place I absolutely loved that soothed me. I didn’t go to the beach for years. I thought to myself that this condition is out of my control and started to brush off people’s stares and opinions!
Till today, I still hate people staring. It’s a burden I just can’t shake off. I really try not to follow their eyes looking at my leg, but I can’t help it. My heart drops into my stomach every time and I hold back tears. I then take deep breaths to stop myself from being emotional and I keep walking with my head held high.
I believe we all have personal issues and problems that we deal with. Mine aren’t anymore worse or important than someone else’s, so I never showed anyone this side of me or spoke about it. I don’t need anyone’s sympathy and I don’t like to be a downer or ruin the vibe.
So I continue being my loud, annoying self and drowned out my pain with constant laughter, even when it is at my own expense.
Lymphedema is becoming a bigger problem in society and is slowly gathering awareness. It is still quite undeveloped for cures, but there are more and more studies and tests to help this condition.
Now, it finally comes down to this. I found a hospital in Sydney. They are doing new tests that show exactly how to maintain a damaged Lymphatic System flow and how to maintain damaged Lymph Nodes.
I went to Sydney and met the doctors. They checked me up and said I was a perfect candidate. It seems very promising.
In 11 years, this is the first time that I’ve seen images of a successful treatment of one of the doctor’s patients.It is proof. It was successful. It made my heart scream for joy.
I made an appointment and will be doing the surgery next month!
The downfall is the damage is about $17,000.
That may not be a lot of money for some, but it is for me. In the past 11 years, I have spent more money then I can afford by trying to find a cure or anything to help maintain this condition, which I’m still paying off till this day. Any donation will help. No matter how high or low. I will forever be grateful.
It will take a year for recovery and for the Lymphedema to come back down to normal size.
It will be challenging. My emotions will be running wild like a roller coaster. But I got this. I want this.
Thank you for reading.
Wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. xxx
Organizer and beneficiary
Tessa Gagliardi
Organizer
Preston, VIC
mary warde
Beneficiary