Founder of lymphedema clinic honored

One of four people honored in the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce Salute to Health Care Awards, Nora Bur-gess, RN, LPN, CCRN, MLDT, is the founder and supervisor of the Lymphedema Clinic at St. John's Regional Health Center.

Burgess knows lymphedema well.

In 1995 while working as a nurse in the St. Johns Cardiac Care Unit , she was diagnosed with cancer and given two months to live. She undertook chemo-therapy, a radical hysterectomy and the removal of 48 lymph nodes. She was also given radiation and a radiation implant.

Swelling

From May of 1995 until February of 1996, Burgess developed lymphedema swelling in both legs, a result of surgery and radiation treatments. She describes the disease, which involves swelling of the body parts, usually due to lymphatic obstruction, as a chronic ailment with many causes and symptoms.

"(Lymphedema) can be a result of surgery or a person can be born with it," Burgess said. "It can happen in any part of the body. The skin feels spongy once a person gets to stage two or three of the disease. It can cause a person to gain a horrible amount of weight. The weight of the body depresses on a person's lymph nodes and their capacity to function. Lymphedema is mostly seen after cancer generally breast, gynecological, bladder, prostate and radical neck (cancer)."

The longer someone goes without symptoms after surgery or radiation, the greater the chance for developing lymphedema, Burgess said. "Surgery and radiation double your chances of getting the disease."

Research

Burgess began researching the disease in 1996. In 1997 she studied at the Dr. Vodder School of North America in British Columbia. In October of that year she drafted a proposal to the executives at St. John's, hoping to fulfill her desire to start a lymphedema clinic in Spring-field.

In November 1997 Burgess started a lymphedema support group as she continued working toward a bachelor's de-gree in nursing.

Prior to the opening of the lymphedema clinic, Burgess treated patients who couldn't pay for treatment in her own home, with a doctor's referral.

The clinic was opened in January 1998 in the Hammons Heart Institute at St. John's. In February 1998 it was moved from that location to the Midwest Sports Medicine Center at 2135 S. Fremont.

Burgess, as supervisor of the Lymphedema Clinic, does all of the intake evaluation, treats patients and makes policy. A physical therapist and an occupational therapist also work in the clinic, and another physical therapist, who has an office at St. John's, is available to Burgess as needed.

Massage treatment

The therapists use a skin technique called "manual massage lymphedema treatment" to help heal patients. Manual massage treatment was developed in the 1930s in Europe. "It looks like massage," Burgess said. "We're rerouting the lymph system. We wrap the extremity that's swelling with bandages to keep the swelling down. The patient is left wrapped all day. There's a wraparound apparatus they wear at night. There has to be compression on them all the time, except for when they're in the shower."

Patients in treatment must visit the clinic every day except weekends for a month. Then they must visit Burgess at six-month intervals.

It's estimated that 100 to 200 patients per year receive lymphedema therapy at St. John's and are shown how to continue the massage on their own.

Burgess continues to further her knowledge of the disease and techniques of treatment by traveling all over the world and taking classes. She's studied in Germany, Australia and Italy.

Burgess said she's proud of the clinic and the work she does. "I'm very happy with the people I work with," she said. "I'm happy the clinic has the good reputation it does. We see people from all over the country. It's also gratifying to help the people with lymphedema. I've seen people who couldn't buy their clothes off the rack because of the swelling be able to now purchase their clothes at the store like everyone else. I'm pleased that St. John's let me start the clinic."

Overwhelmed'

Burgess described herself as "overwhelmed" at being recognized for her work and for starting the clinic. "Lymph-edema hasn't gotten much recognition," she said. "It's wonderful for someone in this field to be recognized. I'm gratified and very overwhelmed."

Burgess has been working on her bachelor's degree in science and nursing from the University of the State of New York. She earned an associate's degree in nursing from the University of the State of New York in 1988. She also is a licensed practical nurse.