Nancy Mancine's Surgeries

Lipedema (also spelled Lideodema) is a rare disease that most people have never heard about.  Even many doctors are not familiar with it.  The fat under the skin is distributed in irregular ways.  In the beginning, it is mainly a cosmetic issue.   Eventually it causes severe pain, disability, and eventually death.  This disease is not a result of obesity or lack of exercise, and exercise and dieting won't help, it's the result of an overgrowth of fat cells.  There are three stages to Lipedema, with Stage 1 being the first and Stage 3 being the worst.  When it gets bad, it starts to compress the lymph system, causing more swelling as the fluid can't drain.  This causes more symptoms, like recurring infections.   Treatment is effective but not a cure.  

Nancy has this horrible disease and needs surgery.  The insurance company won't most of it, as they say it's cosmetic.  It isn't.   Eventually Nancy will be confined to a wheelchair with surgery.  She is already at a Stage 3 and has secondary Lymphedema.  She's been struggling to get a diagnosis for fifteen years.  She desperately needs surgery to continue to work, support herself, and live a full life.   She's done a lot for cv85er's and many others.  

If you can, even $5 will help her get the surgeries and find some relief.  It's not a cure, but it will make her quality of life much better.