PITTSBURGH — Marianne Graham became cancer-free six years ago, but she has carried a heavy burden with her ever since.
“This is what I'm left with,” said Graham, as she pointed to her leg. “I have to get my arms around that.”
In 2008, she had a tumor removed from her left groin and underwent intense radiation therapy. But now, her left leg is twice the size of her right leg and is filled with fluid.
“It just got big,” she remembered.
It's called lymphedema, and about 30 percent of cancer patients see their arms or legs permanently swell after surgery or radiation.
In Graham's case, the treatment damaged her lymph vessels -- her leg couldn't drain, and the second nightmare began.
“To buy shoes, you need to buy a bigger size,” she said. “Going up and down the steps is hard for me because my leg is like dead weight.”
For a while, there wasn't much she could do except wear a compression stocking and keep the leg elevated.
But University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is now leading the region with a new treatment.
Dr. Carolyn De La Cruz gave Channel 11 this inside look at the microscopic bypass surgery.
She redirected the fluid around Marianne's damaged lymph vessels so the legs could drain better.
She was the first to have the surgery at UPMC’s Magee-Womens Hospital.
“She's done really well; she's had great results,” said De La Cruz.
Five months later, Marianne's leg has gone down about 12 centimeters and could see more improvement over the next few months.
“I do have relief,” said Graham. “Is it ideal? No.”
She knows it's not the cure many are hoping for, but she also knows she's one of the lucky ones.
“I’m cancer-free, so what would you prefer?” said Graham.
The surgery takes about 6-8 hours and is covered by insurance. Graham still wears a compression sock and keeps the leg elevated when she can.
WPXI
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