Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Winter 2018 - 7

work to do, but I was very responsive
to treatment, which rarely has happened
in the past."
Together, they removed a significant
Occurs when the flow in
the lymphatic system is
blocked, missing or
changed. It can be
debilitating, causing
swelling in the leg or
arm, including fingers
and toes.

2 TYPES OF LYMPHEDEMA
PRIMARY
Caused by abnormal development of the
lymph system and may occur either at birth
or later in life. This form is rare.
SECONDARY
Caused by blockage or damage to the
lymph system from scar tissue, cancer,
radiation, surgery or lymph node removal.

Most cases affect the
arms and legs, but can
occur in other parts of
the body like the head
and neck.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

flexibility in his "trouble" left leg and
developed a multistep reduction

Heaviness or discomfort in
arm or leg
Swelling in arm, leg or
affected area

program that produced great results
for Hofmeister.
"I had access to multiple types of
compression treatment including aids to
improve circulation, massage and thera-

Change in skin color or
temperature
Pitting of the skin
(imprint remains after light
pressure is applied)
Restricted movement in arm
or leg
Tightness of jewelry

TREATMENT
MAINTAIN A BALANCED
DIET AND GOOD HYGIENE

amount of fluid from his legs, improved

Skilled therapists and other specialists help
patients with lymphedema manage their condition
so they can return to a normal, active lifestyle.

peutic exercise," he says. "Cathy got me
set up with a new, modern pump that
was way more productive than the
15-year-old one I was previously using."

"Everyone on the team
has empathy and doesn't
push me further than
I can handle. ... The focus
was and is on getting me
a better quality of life."
-Steve Hofmeister
Today, Hofmeister has a new lease on
life. Years of battling lymphedema left
him depressed and alone. Now he has the
tools he needs to monitor and maintain
his condition, and he knows where to go

EXERCISE REGULARLY:
LOW-IMPACT AEROBICS
20-30 MIN., 3X WEEK)

for regular checkups. He takes better care
of himself, and he's reviving his hobby of
building miniature model railroads.
Hofmeister wants other sufferers to
area that offered any type of treatment

know about the great program at UM

symptoms as young as 8 years old. He

other than to get prescribed compres-

UCH. "My rehab team is such a good

describes decades of emergency room

sion garments."

group of folks," he says. "Everyone

Hofmeister remembers having

visits because of the infections that

Luckily, a family member became

on the team has empathy and doesn't

aware of the lymphedema program at

push me further than I can handle.

University of Maryland Upper Chesa-

They understand what I have been

life, and the only place that I used to be

peake Health (UM UCH). "I got into the

through and how long I've struggled.

able to get any type of treatment was

treatment program through occupa-

The focus was and is on getting me

downtown," recalls Hofmeister. "Up until

tional therapy, and I saw Cathy Davis,

a better quality of life. I think it's impor-

my 20s, it has always been a journey

who is a certified lymphedema

tant to draw attention to this condition

to get help. There was no place in the

therapist," he says. "We had a lot of

and to the possibilities for treatment."

often change during a flare-up.
"I've lived in Harford County my entire

umuch.org | Winter 2018  7
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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Maryland’s Health Matters - Upper Chesapeake - Winter 2018
