Healing hands and healing bandages

She had developed a common side effect, lymphedema—swelling and enlargement of her legs.

“When it was real bad I had trouble walking,” Fuchs said. “I just walked a little ways. I didn’t even have any toes, it seemed like. I couldn’t wear my shoes. My slacks had to be mostly sweatpants or pajama bottoms because they weren’t wide enough.”

She said it felt like her legs were covered in cement. For this active 83-year-old Carson woman, being grounded wasn’t an option. She was referred to Medcenter One’s Rehabilitation Center for relief.

Although there is no cure for lymphedema, Fuchs learned how to control it by wrapping her legs in bandages. Lymphedema therapist Jessie Markovic said the pressure of the bandages helps the reabsorption of lymph fluid.

Once the lymphedema was more controlled, Fuchs was able to begin wearing compression garments during the day. She wears compression stockings, which are like industrial-strength pantyhose that compress her legs to guide fluid back into the lymphatic system.

“It’s kind of like putting another layer of skin on,” Markovic said.

At night, Fuchs dutifully bandages each of her legs, wrapping each toe individually and putting rolls of cotton padding on her legs before placing 12 bandages on her legs up to her thighs.

“She is just a super dedicated patient,” Markovic said. “To be doing the garments every day and bandaging both legs every night for about four years now, I think really tells her success story. She’s amazing.”

Markovic said lymphedema is most common in arms and legs but can also affect the chest and face, so compression garments come in sleeves, gloves and pieces designed for torso areas.

Markovic was instrumental in bringing the innovative treatment to Medcenter One 12 years ago. She knew there was a growing need for lymphedema treatment, particularly for breast cancer patients struggling with lymphedema’s effects, but the nearest treatment center was in Sioux Falls, S.D. So Markovic worked together with Medcenter One’s Kori Erikson, manager of occupational therapies, to offer the therapy in Bismarck. Markovic is now a certified lymphedema therapist.

“It’s been the best career choice that I’ve made,” she said. “It’s very rewarding. You’re teaching people ways and techniques, so that they can take control of their lymphedema.”