My Trip to the International Framework Lymphoedema Conference

I found out about the International Lymphoedema Framework Conference after researching for Lymphedema related topics to include in my blog, KeepItMovinDC.com. After reading about the conference topics, it really peaked my interest and I decided to go. Most times when I travel to conferences for work, I pretty much look at two (2) things:

• What are the conference topics?
• Where is the conference being held? (I usually try to visit places, in which I haven’t visited before).

This would be my first-time visiting Chicago and my first time at an actual lymphedema conference.

I then started to read more about the International Lymphoedema Framework and what their objectives were regarding Lymphedema and the advancement of treatment options for patients suffering with Lymphedema.

ILF was established as a UK charity in 2009. The framework developed from a project aiming to bring together the main stakeholders involved in the management of lymphedema in the United Kingdom in 2002, but ILF rapidly spread to become an international project with an objective to support individual countries develop a long-term strategy for lymphedema management.

The success of the UK Lymphoedema Framework in improving the management of this condition in Great Britain has led many international Lymphoedema experts to express an interest in the Framework Methodology and Spirit. This is why Christine Moffatt CBE and her team decided to set up the International Lymphoedema Framework (ILF) as a charity.

The choice of charitable status is a strong message to the lymphedema community on the ethos and vision that govern the Framework. It is also a guarantee of the independence of the ILF in the ethical use of its resources and its capacity to actively contribute to the improvement of the management of lymphedema worldwide and especially in developing countries.

For more information about the ILF, please visit www.lympho.org.

My husband and I left from Regan National Airport in DC on Thursday, June 14, 2019. Our flight was delayed about an hour, so we just waited until we were able to leave.

After arriving in Chicago, the first thing we noticed was the weather. When we left DC, it was around 85 degrees, but when we arrived in Chicago, the temperature was in the 65 degree range. It was very chilly and windy. Coincidentally, I was rushing and neglected to check the temperature in Chicago beforehand—needless to say the maxi dresses and flip-flops could not be worn.

Due to our flight being delayed and landing in Chicago in the middle of rush-hour traffic, we were unable to make it to the meet and greet at the hotel at the start of the conference. The Conference was being held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Chicago near the Magnificent Mile. The venue itself was very beautiful and spacious.

Unfortunately, because of our late travel, we were not able to make the Welcome Reception that was held on the first conference night in the exhibit area of the hotel.

The opening sessions were for providers and healthcare professionals. The Patient/Caregivers Plenary started on the second day of the conference on Friday, June 14, 2019.

The exhibits itself were beautiful. The presentations from the sponsors were colorful and eye-catching.

The opening Plenary for Patients and Caregivers subjects were:

It was a refresher course and basic overview of all things Lymphedema. It was very informative. In gave me new insight into the breakdown of the disease itself. It was very informative.

During our break, a delicious lunch was offered while; you were able to visit the sponsor tables. I was introduced to new products.

The second session that I attended was:

This session was very informative as well because it highlighted the importance of compression for patients living with Lymphedema. It emphasized how compression is key to patients living with Lymphedema. Maureen McBeth spoke about how compression is lifesaving for patients living with Lymphedema.

This portion spoke directly to me because at one point in my life before I was properly educated. I myself went without compression for a long period of time. I’m ashamed to say that it was maybe a couple of years but I’m trying to be completely honest and educate and encourage anyone on how compression is a key and lifesaving. I was not educated properly about how wearing compression is pertinent and a must in managing lymphedema. Wearing compression reduces your risk of cellulitis infection, which is common for patients who suffer from lymphedema.

Friday Evening was the Conference Dinner Cruise on the Mystic Blue at the Navy Pier, which sailed along Lake Michigan. The dinner cruise was very nice and a way to for the conference attendees to relax, eat, dance, and meet/greet other lymphedema advocates, patients, caretakers, nurses, doctors and both physical/occupational therapists who have interest in Lymphedema. The cruise ended around 10:00pm. A group of us walked from the Navy Pier to our hotel, to end the night.

The ILF 5K Run Around The Globe

On Saturday Morning, Medi sponsored a 5K Walk/Run along the Navy Pier to promote the importance of movement and exercise for Lymphedema patients. The Walk/Run started at 7:30am, unfortunately I wasn’t able to attend the walk/run due to the lengthy walk to and from from the Navy Pier from the previous night in addition, I was in a little pain, which sometimes happens to Lymphedema patients who are standing, walking or running for an extended period of time. I was disappointed that I couldn’t make the walk/run because I was looking forward to participating.

Conferences

The first session that I attended was:

This session was very informative and again stressed the importance of self-management and risk reduction featuring Manual Lymph Drainage Massage, Wrapping and Compression Garments.

The second session was:

I definitely enjoyed the session with Dr. Granzow where he discussed surgical options for patients living with Lymphedema. I was very impressed by his openness and honesty regarding how he taught himself over the years, how to better the surgical process. Dr. Granzow’s   wife the spoke about how to maneuver the insurance process. This session left me hopeful and feeling the most excited because, I often had questions about the why weren’t there any surgical solutions for patients living with lymphedema.

The ILF Conference is that from beginning to end, it was top notch. The venue, location choice, the food, the speakers, presenters and content were absolutely worth the trip to Chicago. I will definitely try my best to make another ILF Conference.

Jobst
Sigvaris Group
Medi
3M
Juzo
Cizeta Medical
Tactile Medical
Lympha Press
Delfin
BioCompression Systems
LymphaTouch
Fast’n Go
Thusane
Lymphedivas
Dr.Vodder School
Lohmann-rauscher
Luna Medical
Huntleigh
Wear Ease
Airos Medical
American Vein and Lymphatic Society
East Coast Innovative Concepts
Absolute Medical
Twinery Innovations
Limbo/Xpandasox
Lympha Technology

Exhibitors

American Lymphedema Framework Project
Canadian Lymphedema Framework
Fat Disorders Resource Society
International Lymphoedema Framework
Lymphology Association of North America
Lymphedema Advocacy Group
National Lymphedema Network