Kathy Repp considers the anonymous donation of a lymph pump a miracle.
The $5,000 pump, which Repp uses every day, has allowed her more mobility, less pain and generally an improvement in her life.
“I could never have afford it on my own,” she said.
She added she never expected to come back to this level, but with the pump it’s been possible.
“I had to use a walker all the time and I couldn’t get in and out of the car on my own,” she explained.
“My quality of life without the walker is so much simpler and very freeing.”
The lymph pump stimulates the liquid in her leg and gently forces it through her lymph glands which reduces the swelling.
Repp has had the pump for a year now and she reported Christmas 2010 was the first time in 10 years she’s been able to wear panty hose.
She uses the lymph pump in conjunction with massage therapy.
Once a day, Repp lays on her bed and with the assistance of her husband, wraps the machine cuff, which is attached to the pump, around her leg, relaxes and lets the pump do its business.
Repp’s apartment is on the second floor and she said without the increased mobility afforded by the pump, she could never have navigated the stairs. But now she can and for that, Repp is very appreciative. In fact, she admitted walking up and down stairs is good for her, saying it increases her endurance.
Repp suffers from lymphedema, a condition of localized fluid retention and tissue swelling, caused by a compromised lymphatic system.
In her case, a lymph node in her groin area is blocked, and there’s no cure and few treatments or even surgeries which will provide Repp and others with this condition with any relief.
However, with the pump and therapy the swelling is manageable and there’s only occasional pain.
“I’m relatively pain free except when the leg is inflamed which happens when my system is compromised,” she said.
“These treatments have improved my life by at least 25 per cent but I would have been happy with any improvement. This is wonderful.”
Repp finds it difficult to express just how grateful she is to her anonymous donor.
“He could have done any number of things with that money and I’m so very grateful he chose to help me,” she said.
