Meet Eléonore Piot de Vilars, 45, president of the Lymphosport association and cervical cancer referent for the Imagyn association, and Julie Martin, 33, a soldier in the Canadian army: two women who have defied lymphoedema!
Hello Eléonore and Julie, could you briefly introduce yourselves?
E.PdV: My name is Eléonore Piot de Vilars, I'm 45 years old and I suffer from secondary lymphoedema of the right lower limb and pelvis, following treatment by surgery and radiotherapy for cervical cancer (diagnosed in 2010).
J.M: My name is Julie Martin, and I suffer from lymphoedema of the right torso neck and of the right arm, following a neck trauma diagnosed in 2019.
How did you challenge lymphoedema?
E.PdV: I've always done sport (triathlon, running, competitive mountain biking...). This has helped me to fight my way through cancer and lymphoedema. In 2015, I retrained by taking a DU as a medico-sportive educator in cancerology (after noticing a need for specific support for patients with secondary lymphoedema). After discovering Nordic walking during a spa treatment at Luze-St-Sauveur, I realised that this activity could be an excellent tool for improving the physical condition of lymphoedema patients (by adapting the exercises). That was the start of the Lymphosport collective project. After obtaining a DU, followed by a master's degree in therapeutic education in 2016, I became a "professional patient expert". I co-facilitate therapeutic sports education workshops and also take part in initial training for carers, with Lymphosport. Developing psychosocial resources after illness is not always easy. It's important to continue to take on new challenges, to have intellectual and human challenges to keep your head held high every day.
J.M: I contracted the disease when I was already serving (in the army). I followed a special training programme to regain my strength and mobility. I followed an anti-inflammatory diet, which was effective. I was lucky enough to be part of a lymphoedema study to test mobility pumping: a device that pumps the affected limb. The volume of my arm was reduced by 35%. I still scuba dive, cycle and run, but I've had to give up biathlon competitions because I can't do the competitive push-ups like I used to. But I still take part recreationally. We'll have the pleasure of welcoming our son into our family in 5 months' time, as I'm pregnant. Illness is only as strong as you want it to be! It certainly requires more effort than most people.
If you have any questions, ask your doctor for advice.
Lymphedema should not be a barrier to physical activity. On the contrary, sport has been shown to be beneficial in stimulating lymphatic circulation and improving the quality of life of those affected.
Lymphedema of the arm, also known as ‘big arm’, affects 5 to 20% of women treated for breast cancer. This uncomfortable condition, with a risk of complications, requires compression therapy and drainage of lymph fluid.
