Last June, Katie’s Lymphoedema Fund very generously provided funding to enable us to host a scar management course at the Marsden, which was run by Restore Therapy.  We had been keen to learn scar management techniques, as relatively frequently, we find that scar tissue can impact on the possible effectiveness of our MLD treatment, particularly with our breast and head & neck patients.  From the off the course was very hands on and we had the opportunity to practise our new skills on patients who came in during the course for treatment.  It was a great course.

Anyway, eight months on, what we learnt on this course has become an integral part of our lymphoedema assessments.  The patient who I saw this week had significant post mastectomy scarring, which was complicating her lymphoedema management, as was the sensitivity she experienced around her scar.  Using the scar management techniques learnt on the course, I was able to focus on treating the scar, plus demonstrate to her what she can do herself, which in turn made a difference to the discomfort she was experiencing.  She has further sessions planned and hopefully we can build on the progress made so far.  I certainly came away feeling that having added options in the ‘tool box’ really had made a difference.

So, thank you for the ongoing support.

Best wishes

Rachel

Highly Specialist Lymphoedema Practitioner

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust