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Cora RubenLittle American Girl with Lymphedema
Date of Birth: 01.01.2016
Country:  USA |
Content:
- A Little American Girl with Lymphedema
- Desperate for Help
- Hopeful Outlook
- Facing the Truth
- A Difficult Pregnancy
- A Search for Answers
- A Breakthrough
- A New Approach
- Surgery and Hope
- A Brighter Future
- What is Lymphedema?
- Heaviness, aching, and difficulty with movement
A Little American Girl with Lymphedema
A Rare AilmentTwo-year-old Cora Ruben, from Rose Creek, Minnesota, suffers from lymphedema, a condition that causes serious swelling due to problems with the lymphatic system. The excess fluid accumulates in her abdomen, legs, and most noticeably, her hands.
Desperate for Help
Ruben has undergone numerous treatments, including massage and compression bandages, but nothing has eased the growth of her fists. Her desperate parents, Casey and Brett, found an expert in Germany who discovered that the fluid buildup was about 80% fat and only 20% lymph.
Hopeful Outlook
After undergoing liposuction to remove the fat from her hands, Cora has been delighted to be able to hold objects and wear normal clothing like other little girls. Specialists are now optimistic that Cora will be able to lead a "normal life."
Facing the Truth
"The first thing people see is her big hands," said Casey. "But what they don't realize is that it's all over her body." Brett is more pessimistic, adding, "It's in her abdomen, her legs, her feet, even her genitals... and it goes through her hands. As she gets older, I fear it's going to get worse."
A Difficult Pregnancy
Casey had a normal pregnancy, but doctors noticed anomalies in Cora's hands right after she was born. Initially, they dismissed the swelling as something that would go away on its own. "For the first few weeks, we thought it was going to go down," said Brett. "That's what we were told... but then we saw a pediatrician who suggested it was lymphedema."
A Search for Answers
Doctors struggled to help the little girl, and nothing seemed to alleviate her condition. "In our case, the fluid was increasing, which concerned her doctors and her therapist," said Casey. "We weren't gaining any ground, and the massage, wrapping, and compression that normally works wasn't doing anything."
A Breakthrough
After exhausting all other options, the Rubenses were referred to lymphedema expert Professor Etelka Földi of the Földi Clinic in Hinterzarten. "Lymphedema is basically a chronic condition where the lymphatic drainage doesn't work properly," explained the professor. "When there is a problem with the lymphatic drainage, there is inflammation."
A New Approach
Földi initially prescribed manual lymphatic drainage therapy, a specialized technique aimed at preventing fluid from building up in Cora's hands. However, the professor soon realized that the patient was literally stuffed with fat tissue, rather than lymphatic fluid. "Professor Földi explained that our daughter's body is not responding to these treatments because she is filled with fat, not lymph," said Casey.
Surgery and Hope
Why the fat tissue has built up remains a mystery, as such processes are not typically associated with lymphedema. To combat the fat deposits, Földi suggested liposuction, which finally allowed the massage and compression bandages to work. "I don't think anybody wants their child to go through surgery, but I think anybody who has children would do it if they had to," said Casey. "Cora didn't ask to be born with this, so I'm going to do everything I can to help give her a full, happy life."
A Brighter Future
Despite some remaining puffiness, Ruben is now doing considerably better. "Her grasp is just amazing," said Casey. "She has soft little hands now, and her clothes aren't tight. She just puts her hands through her sleeves like any other kid and can do what other kids her age can do." Professor Földi added, "I am almost sure that Cora will lead a normal life. She will be a woman one day, a happy woman."
What is Lymphedema?
Lymphedema is a condition characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the interstitial spaces of the body due to impaired lymph transport. The fluid is typically rich in protein and commonly affects the arms and legs.
Lymphedema affects an estimated 10 million people in the United States and over 200,000 in the United Kingdom. A healthy lymphatic system, a network of channels and glands, removes excess fluid and helps fight infection.
In addition to swelling, which may increase throughout the day, other symptoms include:
Heaviness, aching, and difficulty with movement
Recurrent skin infectionsHard, thick skin
Warty growths or leaking pores
Skin folds
Lymphedema can be inherited or develop as a result of infections, injuries, and cancer treatment. Approximately one in five women with breast cancer and half of women with cervical cancer develop lymphedema.
Lymphedema is currently considered incurable. Treatment focuses on minimizing fluid buildup through compression garments and a healthy lifestyle. Complex decongestive physiotherapy in combination with surgery often yields good results.
