The Story of Nina

My story with lymphedema began in 2018. My left leg suddenly started swelling and I had no idea what was happening. I was 33 years old at the time, I performed in plays for children, for adults, and sang in a duet with my husband with my own music. But suddenly something changed... it was an extremely difficult time. My body suddenly started changing, and I couldn't find the right help. I had a dozen or so doctor's visits, during which the doctors told me directly that they didn't know what it was or how to treat it. After a year of searching, I found a doctor who made a diagnosis and ordered tests. It turned out that I had May-Thurner syndrome. At that time, I didn't know anything about compression clothing or how to take care of myself with swelling.

I found a phlebologist who implanted a stent in my left iliac vein in 2020. That's when I started wearing a custom-made stocking. The condition of my leg did not improve.

Unfortunately, the lack of knowledge about the disease, taking care of myself, not knowing people who have a similar problem led me to anxiety and severe neurosis, as a result I ended up in two years of therapy. During the treatment and looking at my story, I discovered that the most inspiring and healing activity for me was creativity!

Writing poems, songs, painting, performing on stage, but above all: everyday life, during which I devoted time every day to artistic activities, made me start to look at my changing body differently. Changing my approach to the disease, looking at it from a different, creative perspective!!! made me currently support other women who struggle with lymphedema or lipedema on a daily basis. I help them accept and love themselves, despite the chronic disease, so that they can feel feminine, happy and know how to take care of themselves.

On my @wiedzma.limpodemia profile on IG I share all this and I invite you too.
Your life doesn't have to be sad and incredibly difficult every day. It can be creative and colorful!
Thank You for sharing my story. I hope it will support others affected by lymphedema.

My name is Nina Malinowska. I live in Poland, three years ago I moved from Warsaw to a village in Lower Silesia.
Nina