A call from Ellen, and hopes for lymphedema awareness

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Former Malverne resident Cathy Leone is an Ellen DeGeneres fan, so when the national talk show host announced a contest to find her biggest New York fans, she immediately took interest.

The contest asked viewers why they loved the New York, her talk show, and why they should be flown to Los Angeles to be part of Ellen's studio audience. So Leone, 49, wrote her reasons, and included pictures of herself and five of her close friends enjoying the city, and recounted the reasons why — as a breast cancer survivor who lives with lymphedema — the trip would mean a lot.

Lymphedema, an incurable condition, is a potential side effect of breast cancer surgery and radiation therapy that develops sometimes when the lymph nodes are removed. “It requires daily massage and lots of precaution so I have to watch out for it,” said Leone. “There’s no cure, and if you don’t maintain it through physical therapy, it will keep swelling and will get bigger and bigger.”

Leone wrote to the show about all she had gone through: the treatments, the chemo, the radiation and the lymphedema, and to her surprise and delight, was chosen to appear on the show.

Within two weeks of being notified, she her five friends were enjoying a whirlwind, three-day stay in Los Angeles, compliments of the Ellen Show from April 25-27.

On April 26, when they took their place in Ellen’s studio audience, they were surrounded by other Ellen fans from New York, all of whom received a barrage of prizes: a trip to Cancun, a $300 gift card to Postmates.com, Mastercard gift cards, $300 headphones, Netflix subscriptions, and of course the trip to Los Angeles, including hotels and $150 in cash when they arrived. And they got to share a great experience together as friends. “Our kids were in school together,” said Leone’s friend, Christine McGreevy, who was one of the ladies who accompanied Leone on the trip. “They all went to Dever, and then to North, so we all became close.”

Leone said she had a great time, but was hoping the show would raise awareness of lymphedema. “It needs more awareness” said Leone. “The more research that can be done, the better it is for those who live with it.”

Saying her immediate family was her main support group through the physical and mental challenges of her cancer and lymphedema, Leone said a lot of people are most affected by body image and are ashamed of what their bodies look like due to their affected swollen limb. “Fortunately, I have a mild to moderate case of lymphedema, but I live with the fear of it getting worse.”

Dr. Christine Hodyl, Director of Breast Surgery for South Nassau Community Hospital, said the incidence of lymphedema has decreased significantly from years ago. “We don’t take as many lymph nodes as we used to because we have discovered through science that we don’t need to,” said Hodyl. “But for those with severe lymph edema, there are treatments that help if you catch it early.” Treatments include massage techniques by those specializing in lymphedema, and compression garments. Untreated lymphedema can lead to decreased function and mobility in the affected area, skin breakdown, infection and other complications.

Most cancer centers and hospital-based cancer programs can refer patients to qualified providers. Further information and assistance can be found through the Lymphathic Education and Research Network, lymphaticnetwork.org; The Cancer Treatment Centers of America, cancercare.com; and the National Lymphedema Network, lymphnet.org.