The Lymphedema Patient Roundtable: May 2026

Mental health is an often-overlooked aspect of living with lymphedema, despite the profound emotional impact chronic swelling, daily treatment, and medical complications can have on patients’ everyday lives. In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, this month’s Lymphedema Patient Roundtable explored the complex intersection of mental and emotional well-being with life alongside lymphedema.Throughout the discussion, panelists and attendees reflected on the grief and identity shifts that can accompany diagnosis, the emotional exhaustion of ongoing self-management, and the challenges of navigating body image, visibility, public perception, and medical trauma. Conversations also touched on cancer survivorship, chronic wounds and complications, disordered eating, substance use, and the psychological toll of repeated hospitalizations and setbacks.At the same time, the discussion highlighted the resilience that can emerge through community, creativity, advocacy, therapy, humor, and self-expression. From brightly colored compression garments and artistic hobbies to peer support and patient education efforts, the conversation underscored the many ways individuals living with lymphedema continue to reclaim confidence, connection, and joy alongside a chronic condition.This meaningful and deeply personal conversation served as a reminder that the emotional realities of lymphedema deserve just as much recognition, support, and compassion as the physical aspects of the disease.Special thanks to this month’s panel:Karen Ashforth, MS, OTR/L, CLT-LANAJennifer Carr, Lymphedema PatientEvy Dominguez, Lymphedema Patient (@evycalifornia)Alexa Ercolano, Lymphedema Patient and Lympha Press Marketing and Communications Specialist (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lymphielife⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)Angela Jones, Lipolymphedema Patient (⁠⁠⁠⁠@2018gethealthy)Tora Rocha, Lipolymphedema Patient (@toranado12)Catherine Rosenberg, Lymphedema Patient (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@crosenberg1982⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)Links and resources mentioned during the program:The April Roundtable’s “Compression Session”Academy of Lymphatic Studies Therapist DatabaseLymphatic Education & Research Network Find a Therapist ResourcesLymphology Association of North America Therapist DatabaseThis Roundtable was originally recorded live on May 12, 2026, and has been edited for time. The views and opinions expressed in this Patient Roundtable are those of the individual participants and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Lympha Press.This video is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider with any questions about your condition or treatment.Lympha Press is proud to offer these monthly Lymphedema Patient Roundtables and support the lymphedema community. The Roundtables are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 8:00 PM EST. Sign up to attend any of our live webinars at https://linktr.ee/LymphaPress.