medi GmbH & Co. KG
Bayreuth
Around 500,000 people in Germany are diagnosed with cancer every year. (1) Not every cancer patient can be cured permanently. With improvements in prevention, early detection and treatment methods, however, the prospects of successful treatment have increased – and thus also the chances of recovery and survival for those affected: Before 1980, more than two thirds of all cancer patients died of their disease, today more than half become permanent healed. (2) Action days such as World Cancer Day on February 4 are intended to create greater awareness of the topic, provide information and encourage those affected and their families. The day of action was proclaimed for the first time in 2006 by the world cancer organization “Union international contre le cancer” (UICC).
In public, cancerous diseases are often perceived more negatively than other serious illnesses – they often trigger fear and insecurity. Those affected experience the stigmatization of the disease in the form of rejection or fear of contact, be it in everyday life, at work or among friends and family. It is encouraging for many of those affected to talk about their own cancer, to exchange ideas with other patients, to enlighten those around them and thus to prevent half-knowledge.
Cancer diagnosis: dealing with the psychological stress
The diagnosis of cancer is initially a shock for most patients, to which they react with fear – because cancer is experienced as an existential threat. This was also the case for Ursula Thomé when an endocrine tumor was discovered in her abdominal region in 2016. Even today, more than five years later, the 66-year-old gets goosebumps just thinking about it: “I was stunned, but at the same time relieved because after months of a doctor’s odyssey and several stays in the clinic, I finally had a diagnosis – and operated as well as targeted therapy. I had always enjoyed life with my family intensely, we traveled a lot, for example as musicians with the children through Europe for a while. That’s why I quickly decided after the operation: ‘I’m going to fight and get healthy to get strength again and be able to shape my life myself!'”
Lymphedema: the disease after cancer
Three surgeries, weeks of hospitalization and daily encouraging letters and regular visits from her husband followed. After the doctors at Ursula Thomé all the lymph nodes in the groin, in the abdomen and the entire abdominal network (removed the network of lymphatic channels in the abdomen), the next blow came: Lymphedema developed in the abdomen, groin and thighs. “The kind of support each patient needs is of course different – the support of my family and the conversations with friends during this difficult time helped me a lot,” says Ursula Thomé. “It wasn’t just me feeling emotional chaos, they were also unsettled. It is therefore important to show mutual understanding, to talk about worries and fears – to give each other support and to be able to better classify feelings.”
Expand your network and get in touch with other people affected
The lymphedema that developed in the months after the operations initially put Ursula Thomé under considerable strain. Although she returned to her job after twelve weeks, the lymphedema made continued employment impossible. Within a year she received the declaration of permanent severe disability and early retirement. After the operation, the health insurance company initially rejects the necessary compression fittings. “Although I was well informed about the diagnosis of ‘lymphedema’ after the surgery, I had no idea what to expect,” says Ursula Thomé. “I did a lot of research, read and contacted other people affected. I also came across the Instagram profile ‘Power Sprotte’ of lipoedema patient Caroline Sprott and found out that an objection to the decision of the health insurance company is possible. This is exactly why exchange and networking in the community are so important! In order to benefit from the experiences of others and to share knowledge that every newcomer would first have to laboriously gather.”
Customizable stockings for mental well-being
Since then, Ursula Thomé has been wearing flat-knit medical compression garments: “The first treatment I received was black thigh-high stockings and cycling shorts from medi.” Occasionally, the 66-year-old still has pain in her legs, but she’s doing much better now – mentally too. She is enthusiastic about the compression and encourages other sufferers to open up about the topic. “The compression helps a lot and is a chic fashion accessory thanks to the variety of colours, patterns and crystal motifs. In addition, manual lymphatic drainage, a diet without meat, sugar and alcohol and regular exercise help me to minimize pain and swelling and live well with the disease to be able to,” explains Ursula Thomé. “My experiences over the last few years have strengthened my belief that happiness is not permanent and that you have to actively collect special moments.”
Sources:
- Cancer – Homepage Center for Cancer Registry Data (krebsdaten.de) (Last access: 01/14/2023)
- Cancer rate and cancer mortality rate in Germany (krebsinformationsdienst.de) (Last access: 01/14/2023)
Surf Tips:
www.medi.de/digitale-bedingungen/muster-farb-finder/
www.medi.de/diagnose-therapie/lymphoedema/erlebnisen/tumor-thome/
www.medi.de/arzt/therapietipps/lipoedemtherapie-lymphoedemtherapie/
www.medi.de/diagnose-therapie/lymphoedema/
www.medi.de/en/products/highlights/diversity-oedemtherapy/
Intended use:
mediven® 550 arm: Flat-knit medical compression stocking for compression of the upper extremities, mainly in the treatment of diseases of the venous or lymphatic system.
mediven® 550 Leg: Flat-knit medical compression stocking for compressing the lower extremities, mainly in the treatment of diseases of the lymphatic system.
Press contact:
medi GmbH & Co. KG
Medicusstrasse 1
95448 Bayreuth
www.medi.de
Janine Lenhart
PR Manager Medical
Telephone: +49 921 912-2819
Email: [email protected]
Original content from: medi GmbH & Co. KG, transmitted by news aktuell
