Welcome to The South Bucks Hospice -Palliative Care & Lymphoedema Clinic
Noticeboard
- Lymphoedema Awareness Days are taking place in and around High Wycombe.
Days arranged are:
24th June 2010 1:30pm Cream Tea @ Pusey House23rd September 2010 1:30pm “Simply Walk” @ Cedar Barn9th December 2010 1:30pm “Christmas Social” @ Cedar BarnFor further information call: 01494 717050The Lymphoedema ClinicSupport Group ~ Lymphoedema Lovelies!
Our very own Glamorous models Mandy Harris, Dorothy Keeble, Rose Brown, Gwen Grimmett and Dorothy Bayliss
At the 2008 December Support Group meeting five of our patients braved the catwalk to model outfits purchased from The Hospice Shop. They each chose two outfits, one daywear and one evening wear. The assembled audience then guessed the cost of each outfit with a small prize awarded to the person whose estimate was closest. The afternoon was compared in style by Jennifer Duffy and was enjoyed by all. The event raised a fantastic £111 which will go towards the cost of purchasing a Flowtron machine for use in clinic. Many thanks as always to our band of cake makers who provide us with wonderful refreshment and lots of goodies to sell to boost our funds.Healthy Springtime, Happy You!Being overweight is not only detrimental to your general health, but more specifically it may directly affect your lymphoedema. It is thought that being overweight exacerbates lymphoedema and makes treatment less affective. Due to the position of the lymph nodes and the complex network of lymphatic vessels directly under the skin surface, pressure from an expanded waistline is exerted upon the groin resulting in impaired lymphatic drainage. Lymphatic drainage is the arm may be impaired by additional fat around the axilla (armpit).This can ultimately lead to your swelling getting worse and other complications arising e.g. skin changes, increased heaviness of the limb and fewer choices of treatment for your therapist to select in order to reduce your swelling. If you are able to lose weight, this could have a beneficial effect on your response to treatment. Weight reduction may help reduce the volume of your limb and enable your therapist to treat more effectively. It will also have additional long-term health benefits e.g. lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, increased energy, mobility and morale.Ten Healthy Steps into Spring1. Fresh and fruitySalad days are here again. Enjoy fresh greens and salad food in season. We're all familiar with the 'five-a-day' fruit and veg mantra but we're not all there yet. Bored with apples and pears? Tempt your palate with something new - a handful of fresh berries or a scattering of dried fruit on your breakfast cereal. Or try a straight from the fridge or a simple DIY fruit smoothie with banana, strawberry and apple juice. Frozen veg counts, of course, and canned fruit is fine, too (in its own juice, not sugary syrup). Ring the changes - go for variety in your five a day.2. Fish for complimentsOily fish is a good source of Omega 3 which is known to help protect against heart disease. What fish counts as 'oily'? For instance, salmon, mackerel, herring, fresh tuna (not canned) and sardines. Two or three servings a week is a good habit to get into.3. Bin the saltMost of us consume far too much salt - whether in the cooking process, at the table or as a 'hidden' ingredient in processed foods. The guidelines suggest an intake of no more than 6g of salt a day - that's just over a teaspoon - but most of us consume far more, without even realising it. Always check the label for salt content and try to cook without salt - uses spices and herbs instead for added flavour. Don't educate your children to have a 'salty' palate. If they avoid salt when young, they won't grow up with a taste for it.4. Sort your fatsThere are 'good' fats and 'bad' fats - though it's important not to eat too much of any fats. Saturated fats are what we need to eat less of - particularly the fats in pies, pastries, cakes and chocolate. A good diet is all about balance. We're not saying 'stop eating cheese', which is one of life's pleasures - just that, in terms of saturated fats, less is more. Polyunsaturated fats (including Omega 3s) and monounsaturated fats (olive oil) are healthier options.5. Feast on fibreFew of us eat enough fibre. Fruit and vegetables are a good, natural source of dietry fibre and go towards your five-a-day. Pile in extra veg in dishes such as casseroles and stirfries and have plenty of veg on the side. Switch to wholemeal bread and whole grain cereals as part of your daily routine - an easy route to upping your fibre intake.6. Get your oatsOats have a special type of fibre - soluble fibre. As part of a healthy diet, it can help lower blood cholesterol which is good news for your heart. A simple bowl of porridge is a great start to the day: you can even rustle it up in minutes in the microwave. With a low GI (Glyceamic Index), it helps keep you going for longer, too.7. Dive into waterSix to eight glasses of water a day comes recommended. While tea and coffee are part of fluid intake, they also have a diuretic effect. And too much fruit juice clocks up the calories. Water helps rehydrate your skin.8. Go nutsA few nuts make a nutritious snack for people on the go. Brazil nuts, for instance, are rich in selenium, a trace element with links to a healthy immune system. But steer clear of salted nuts. And keep in mind that all nuts are packed with calories, so keep an eye on portions.9. No skippingBreakfast is the most important meal of the day to kick-start your metabolism and set you up for the day ahead, so don't skip it. Without a good breakfast inside you, you're much more likely to grab an unhealthy mid-morning snack. A healthy wholegrain cereal and fruit breakfast need only take five minutes. Or grab a smoothie from the fridge. M&S have yoghurt-based smoothies and some breakfast versions with oats.10. Get activeHealthy eating is only one part of the equation. We could all do with getting a bit more active. It needn't mean joining a gym or taking up a team sport. Take the stairs instead of the lift. Get off the bus one stop earlier and walk the rest of the way. Avoid the car for short journeys. Go walking. Borrow a dog. You get the idea.Useful SocietiesThe British Lymphology Society (BLS) is currently focusing its efforts on seven key areas. The aim of the first initiative is to raise the profile of the society and lymphoedema with a lymphoedema awareness week planned for 2008 along with a highly visible media campaign. 2. A revision of the Chronic Oedema population and Needs document is being undertaken as part of a much larger educational initiative encompassing current legislation. 3. To further enhance our communication, the BLS is about to launch its new website which will include, among other features, a lymphoedema discussion forum. 4. The BLS, along with the Lymphoedema Framework Project, are producing a template for management on setting up a lymphoedema service which was launched in October 2007 at the BLS Conference. 5. The BLS annual conference took place on 9-11th October. The emphasis was on the treatment of chronic oedema in primary care. Abstract submissions are welcomed via the website. 6. The BLS is working with a number of agencies to establish a national tariff for lymphoedema in light of the Government’s directive ‘Payment by results’. 7. The jointly owned BLS/LSN cellulitis consensus document has been audited and results are now available. For more information visit www.lymphoedema.org/blsThe Lymphoedema Support Network (LSN) takes the lead role in educating and supporting patients with the condition by providing a high standard of information and promoting self-help. The LSN operates an information and support telephone line (020 7351 4480), produces a quarterly newsletter, maintains an up-to-date website, and promotes the formation of self-help support groups around the country and campaigns at national level for improved service provision for all lymphoedema patients. Since its inception in 1991, it has evolved into an independent and influential charity. It is the only national patient-led organization offering information and support to people with this condition and has a unique understanding of the patient’s experience. The charity is the largest information resource for lymphoedema in the UK, producing an ongoing series of factsheets. It has also produced two self-help videos/DVDs. The world-renowned King’s Singers ensemble generously supported the work of the LSN by performing a charity concert in June 2007. For more information visit www.lymphoedema.org/lsnMLDUK was formed in 1995 and has recently received charitable status. Its principle aims are to educate healthcare professionals and the general public about MLD, to maintain a register of practitioners and to set standards for the practice of MLD in the UK. From the start, MLDUK has worked with the British Lymphology Society to further the acceptance of LMD as part of complex decongestive therapy in the UK. The Lymphoedema Support Network also recommends the MLDUK register of MLD practitioners. MLDUK accepts membership applications from therapists trained through Casley-Smith, Foldi, Leduc and Vodder schools of MLD. These schools have been established for 2-3 decades and are internationally recognized. They have strict training schedules for their teachers to ensure good theoretical and practical knowledge. These practitioners have also worked towards the acceptance of MLS by the medical profession in their respective countries. MLDUK publishes a list of courses available in the UK. It also sends an up-to-date register of practitioners on request. The association has a designated helpline for members of the public and its members. It also has a website where practitioner and course details can be found. Contact MLDUK on telephone: 01592 748008 or go online to www.mlduk.org.ukOther Useful Societies:The Leg Club® are online at www.legclub.orgThe German Society of Lymphology are online at www.dglymph.deThe Lymphoedema Association of Australia are online at www.flinders.sa.gov.au/lymphoedemaThe Israel Lymphoedema Association (ILA) are available online at www.ial.org.il
