On the day before Father's Day in 2011, the author felt suddenly extremely unwell with flu-like symptoms and a temperature of over 40°C, uncontrollable convulsions and delirium. His wife took him to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital, where he was immediately admitted and put on intravenous drips. A violent red rash, the size of a 5 pence coin, spread quickly up his left leg and was accompanied by excruciating pain. A few days and many tests later, the author was told that he had severe cellulitis. Once the strong intravenous medication had cleared the agonising infection, his left leg had swollen considerably and he was diagnosed with lower-limb lymphoedema.. This article examines the personal and clinical challenges associated with lymphoedema and reflects on the physical, emotional and practical impact of living with the chronic condition.
Matt Hazledine (Wed,) studied this question.