When Ken MacLeod returned home after cancer surgery, the swelling in his legs was a barrier between him and normalcy, a big barrier.

“The shock was the size of my ankles and the size of my calves and the lack of mobility because of the swelling,” MacLeod said. Because lymph nodes in his legs had been removed during surgery at Maine Medical Center, his body was unable to drain fluid normally, a condition call lymphedema.

Lymphedema can be caused by removal of portions of the lymph system during surgery or as a result of trauma or radiation therapy. In some cases, it can take years for symptoms to appear. In MacLeod’s case, however, the swelling began immediately.

Just standing on his own feet was difficult in the weeks after surgery. As he struggled to return to his pre-surgery life, lymphedema made an already uncertain outlook that much more difficult.

Seven months later, however, MacLeod has applied for a moose hunting permit and hopes to go hunting with his son this fall. And he is back to doing some of the chores he did before surgery.

The process was difficult, but MacLeod worked hard. He has slowly reclaimed his independence with the help of Lincoln County Healthcare lymphedema therapists Diane Brown and Leah Taylor.

“I don’t think we could have gotten better results,” MacLeod said. “If there weren’t a program here, I don’t know what I would have done. Driving down to Portland is out of the question.”

Because travel was difficult for MacLeod, Brown and Taylor began working with him at home in Friendship just days after he returned from surgery, providing complete decongestive therapy, which includes evaluation, manual lymphatic drainage through gentle massage, the use of compression wraps or garments and a home exercise program.

Small but important milestones marked his progress: the first time after his surgery that he was able to tie his shoes, or being able to take a drive with a friend.

Finally, one day Brown called and MacLeod was in his shop working on his truck.

“That was music to my ears,” she said.

Today, MacLeod continues to progress, walking more laps around the driveway, spending time working in the greenhouse. As his ability to travel has improved, he has also received treatment at the clinic at Miles Memorial Hospital and is also receiving aquatic therapy at the Boothbay Region YMCA through Lincoln County Healthcare.

After a session in the pool or therapy with his therapists, MacLeod said he can feel the difference and he sleeps better at night. But perhaps the biggest difference is that MacLeod feels more hopeful and in control of his life.

“My wife just said to me yesterday, ‘Your attitude is so much better. You are so much happier,'”

Lymphedema therapy is available at either Miles Memorial Hospital in Damariscotta or St. Andrews Hospital in Boothbay Harbor. Patients of Miles & St. Andrews Home Health & Hospice can also receive services in their home.

Anyone who believes they may benefit from lymphedema therapy should talk to their primary care physician or call Wellness/Rehab at Miles Memorial Hospital at 207-563-4518 or at St. Andrews Hospital at 207-633-1928.