Paula Looker - Relative of Lymphoedema Patient

“Karen has been amazing help and support to both of us. She has helped and encouraged Paul to make his lymphoedema more manageable, by showing us how to massage his leg.”

“My husband Paul has had chronic lymphoedema since 1996, he was only 30 years old when he had developed cellulitis in his right leg and the swelling never went away and it was then he was diagnosed with lymphoedema.

He then continued to be in hospital on many occasions with cellulitis, he was so poorly sometimes it was a constant concern for us. He didn’t really get much help or support and it changed his life in so many ways. Even getting trousers and shoes to fit him became a problem and it knocked his confidence, especially on holiday as people would stare and ask what was wrong with his leg.

Approximately 12 years ago, Paul was asked if he wanted to see Karen Taylor at Hospice as she was a specialist lymphoedema nurse. Karen has been amazing help and support to both of us. She has helped and encouraged Paul to make his lymphoedema more manageable, by showing us how to massage his leg. He has compression stockings fitted and uses fallow wraps to help with his swelling, which he uses a few times a week. We have noticed a massive decrease in the swelling of his leg,

Paul has become more confident over the years and definitely feels less embarrassed about his leg. Karen has done so much to help us over the years, she is a credit to Hospice, and the other team members; Claire and Nicola have helped us too.

We are so grateful that Hospice supports us, and so many others on the island. Thank you Hospice Isle of Man, we will always be grateful!"