Lymphedema & LaDarryl

Hello Everyone. I’ve created a GofundMe in regards to my husband LaDarryl. He’s been living life with a chronic leg condition called Lymphedema. I need your ears, eyes and understanding.

 Many of you have asked, " What is lymphedema?", What's wrong with your leg?" or simply given the stare. Below, I'll let you know what it is, and why I need your help.

“I am seeking surgery that could possibly change my life, including my family; forever! I do need your help!  

-LaDarryl

What is Lymphedema?

Lymphedema is a condition that causes swelling in the arms or legs due to insufficient flow of fluid through the lymph nodes. There is no cure for lymphedema, but there are treatments & surgery procedures that focus on reducing swelling and preventing complications.

“ I was born with lymphedema, but didn’t start seeing symptoms until I was 14 years old. Sword fighting in a grassy field, a spider bite triggered the beginning of my lymphedema; unknowingly. At the time, I didn’t know I’d been bitten by a spider. Weeks later, I went shopping with my aunt for Easter Sunday clothing. While in the store, I became sick with a fever, vomiting, fatigued and excruciating pain in my left leg. The pain came out of nowhere! The pain was so bad in my leg, my aunt rushed me home & called my mother. When my mother arrived, she believed it was some type of “stomach bug”. She gave me children’s Tylenol (like the good normal working mother would do), and went back to work. She told my aunt to keep watch until she came back. When my mother came back the pain had worsened and she took me to the emergency room. The doctors found a spider bite between my toes (on my left leg). I was given a shot and antibiotics.”

I felt relieved, but that didn’t stop the swelling from the “spider bite”.

“Summer 1995, I had another flare up in my leg. My mother took me to the hospital and I was referred to a specialist. She informed the doctors about my previous spider bite. The doctor told us that I was born with “bad” lymph nodes in my left leg, and the spider bite was possibly what triggered “elephantitis”. At the time (1995) Lymphedema was called elephantitis. The doctors knew very little and I was simply given antibiotics and pain medication to help with flare ups and the pain. The swelling in my leg was manageable and when I wore shorts, it was barely noticeable.”

“Twenty six years later, my leg has grown over time in width and I have developed cellulitis. I am unable to wear jeans or dress pants. It is getting to the point in which I cannot wear sweat pants; which is what I have been forced to wear daily. I almost had to wear jogging pants for my wedding. By a miracle, my wife, Ursula (fiancé at the time) came up with the idea, to add extra fabric to one leg of tuxedo pants by sewing. We purchased two pairs of dress pants (in my size), and had one of the legs tailored with extra fabric. Currently, my leg measures 43 inches in width. I have found a way to stretch my jogging pants with my leg, but one side has always fit tighter than the other. (Please see photos.) Compression stockings, leg massages and doctor appointments with no answers had left me little to no hope. Lymphedema has affected my work life tremendously. It is by the grace of God and the help of family, that I am able to provide for my family. I am encouraged through social media groups and prayer that there is something that can be done to help me.”

About The Surgery.

Dr. Garrett of The Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic in Memphis, Tennessee has given us hope! I have had a consultation with him. He referred me to his colleague; a plastic surgeon. The life changing possibility of having leg surgery is an option; however I will be literally paying out of pocket for some of the expenses. TN Care doesn’t cover it 100%. In order to proceed with the surgery, FIRST I would need a lymphedema specialist to be able to assist with relieving some of the tissue/ fluid in my leg. There has yet to be someone within my insurance network in Shelby County, Memphis TN.  I have found two clinics nearby so far, which are The Lymphedema Clinic of America in Houston Texas and Granzow Lymphedema  & Lymphoma Center in Jacksonville Florida. They both specialize in massive lymphedema cases, and are the closest to home that I could find. The Memphis lymphedema clinics do not have the equipment or resources. In conclusion, I plan to visit Houston Texas or Jacksonville Florida for treatment.There is no cure, and this surgery won’t erase my Lymphedema, but it will be the restart button to a better life! 

I need all the help I can get!

My family will still be in Memphis, Tennessee as life will have to continue & bills still have to be paid. I will have to rent a hotel or airbnb for my six week stay in Texas or if I choose the Florida clinic. I will have to handle food expenses and gas, and help provide for my family back home. During therapy, I will not be able to work, and my wife will be sole provider while I am away. It is difficult to tell how much insurance will cover for the surgery at this exact moment, but either way there are many things that these donations will go towards. Not only will these donations help cover the consultation, the surgery, the post and pre-op appointments, but they will also help cover the Tennessee to Texas/Florida trip to even get the lymphatic drainage treatment! I also will be relearning how to walk, so I won’t be able to work to help take care of my family. On top of that, my legs will decrease in size DRASTICALLY so I will need to consistently update my compression socks so they stay doing their job and fit properly.

A very big thank you in advance,

Abundant Blessings to you all,

LaDarryl & Ursula