DECEMBER 2023
THE
LAQ
BY YOU and FOR YOU!
Don’t miss the tip of the month on these pages!
Merry Thanks!
This is the perfect time to express our gratitude to all those who support the LAQ’s mission. I can never thank you enough for everything you bring to the LAQ. You, the patients and members of the LAQ, who ask us questions and challenge us. You are the engine that propels us into tomorrow. We thank you.
You, the professional members who form a solid community of experts. You give us the confidence to promote quality care. We thank you.
You, our donors, who show us so much appreciation. You give us tremendous energy! We thank you.
You, dear Ginette, who overcame a crazy challenge by taking the helm of interim management. Thank you, we love you!
You, Marie-Thérèse Le Noir, the warm voice that welcomes all who call us. Thank you, dear friend! You, the corporate members of the LAQ, who faithfully support us. You give us wings! We thank you.
You, the board members who look after the LAQ and make it grow. Thank you so much!
And especially YOU, the volunteer therapists involved in our Therapeutic Support Program and Support Groups. By generously offering your expertise and your time to people who turn to the LAQ for advice, you provide practical and invaluable help.
A thousand thanks to all our volunteers and Happy Holidays to all!
Anne-Marie Joncas President
Kudos and thanks to our volunteer therapists who, in 2023, answered your calls and led the LAQ support groups.
Carole Bernier
Louise Constant
Nathalie Côté
Claudia Desrosiers
Stéphanie Hébert
Marize Ibrahim
Maude Jubinville
Chantal Lapointe
Suzanne Lemaire
Sylvie Lepage
Marie-Eve Letellier
Isabelle Lombardo
Berti Nahmias
Chantal Turgeon
Angela Yung
Special thanks to Dr. Anna Towers for her invaluable contribution in 2023 and since the foundation of the LAQ!
Actimed is a team of certified orthotists, members of Ordre des technologues professionnels du Québec and Association des orthésistes-prothésistes du Québec. We are a trusted partner for our customers. Whatever your lymphedema compression needs, we can help. Actimed is proud to offer you all the leading brands in lymphedema compression. Two addresses to serve you better SAINT-LAURENT 519, boul. du Curé-Labelle bureau 100 Téléphone : 450-434-8777
FADY NEHME Founder
BLAINVILLE 1605, boul. Marcel-Laurin, bureau 110 Téléphone : 514-747-0977
Donate to the LAQ instead of paying more taxes! You only have a few days left to take full advantage of your donation tax credits. And because the LAQ is a registered charity, we’re ready to help.
☺
Seriously... the LAQ so desperately needs your generosity. We’re helping an ever-increasing number of people with lymphedema or at risk of developing lymphedema. Most of our tools are free and shipped free of charge. As you can imagine, all these costs continue to rise for the LAQ. Help us help you! Donate generously for LAQ services, such as the production and mailing of our publications. Help us reach out to healthcare professionals through events and targeted communications.
NAÏLA NEHME Owner
Did you know that... For a donation of $500 and a net annual income of $50,000, you could obtain a total tax credit of $209.70
(federal with abatement + provincial)
Make your last donation of the year now by clicking here ICI Your tax receipt will be emailed to you immediately. Thank you for your generosity! The LAQ team
CLF CONFERENCE
The Québec delegation: a true knowledge booster! A delegation of Québec experts literally fueled the programming of the CLF 2023 Conference, held November 3 and 4 in Toronto. Of the 32 workshops, 12 presentations featured specialists from Québec. These included speakers from the MUHC Clinic Dr. Anna Towers, Marize Ibrahim, Marie-Eve Letellier, Angela Yung, Georgina Cama - as well as experts such as Dr. Catherine McCuaig, Dr. Benoît Cartier and Maryse Beaumier.
For its part, the LAQ - in addition to exchanging ideas with all the provincial associations present - set up a booth in the exhibitors’ lounge. We promoted the LAQ’s services, including ProLymph, our resource for healthcare professionals dealing with chronic edema/lymphedema. Delegates who flocked to our booth were able to register for ProLymph on the spot. This latest edition of the CLF Conference was a great success, and the LAQ was happy to take part in the event to bring you the very latest information on lymphedema treatment. On the plus side, it was a Québec fitter who won the grand prize for attendance. Geneviève St-Hilaire from Médicus won a registration to the ILF 2025 Conference. Just goes to show that Québec expertise has everything it takes to rub shoulders with the best in the world!
Not to mention the fact that half of the scientific committee overseeing the event was made up of leading Québec experts. Together, these lymphedema «stars» tackled topics as new as they were powerful. Consider the first-ever Lymphedema and Sexuality Workshop with Dr. Towers, Sandra Rotholc and Marie-Eve Letellier. The ILA’s flagship presentation on lipoedema diagnostic guidelines, led by Dr. Towers. Workshops on foot care and lower limb lymphedema assessment with Maryse Beaumier. Or practical pool sessions on aqualymphatic therapy with Marie-Eve Letellier and Marize Ibrahim. Genetics and skin changes were brought to the spotlight by Dr. McCuaig. Lymphedema control in the palliative phase was explored by Dr. Towers. All this was enhanced by research presentations by Marie-Eve and Marize, dealing respectively with the results of lymphatic surgery and the management of head and neck lymphedema.
Part of the Quebec delegation: Chantal Turgeon, Marie-Eve Letellier, Maude Jubinville, Angela Yung, Marize Ibrahim, Maryse Beaumier, Anne-Marie Joncas. Shirin Shallwani, friend and colleague from Alberta, joined our merry band!
Welcome to the ProLymph booth, an initiative promoted by the LAQ to raise awareness of lymphedema among healthcare professionals.
Geneviève St-Hilaire, winner of the grand prize for attendance, is surrounded by her colleagues Annie Pépin and Josée Lamothe, all Médicus fitters.
The LAQ 2024 Lymphedema Guide will be out in January! Get ready! The 16th edition of the Lymphedema Guide print and online - will be distributed throughout the healthcare network in January. That’s right! Since 2009, the LAQ’s Lymphedema Guide has been there to raise awareness of essential lymphedema treatment resources. We would like to salute all our corporate members for their unfailing support. The LAQ would especially like to thank our industry partners for their generous sponsorship. They include: Diamond Sponsor: Essity Platinum Sponsors: Medi - Juzo Gold Sponsors: Amoena - Bauerfeind - Groupe ERP - Médicus - Sigvaris By supporting the LAQ, corporate members and sponsors enable the publication and distribution of this bible, which provides guidance to patients and healthcare professionals alike. In return, their products and services become known throughout the network. Between now and January, you can still access the bilingual 2023 Lymphedema Guide online, by clicking HERE OBÉSITÉ CANCER INSUFFIS OBESITY CANCER VENOUS ANCE VEINEUSE INSUFFICIENCY
Accédez au BOTTIN DU LYMPHŒDÈME
BOTTIN DU LYMPHŒDÈME LYMPHEDEMA GUID E
2023
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ASSOCIATION QUÉBÉCOI SE DU LYMPHŒDÈME LYMPHEDEMA ASSOCIATI ON OF QUÉBEC
514 979-2463 – 1 866
979-2463 | www.infolymph o.ca | aql@infolymph o.ca |
Une foule de ressources !
Notice to our regular members: The downloadable version of the 2024 Lymphedema Guide will be available online in January. You will receive the printed Lymphedema Guide 2024 when you renew your membership.
Vidéos • Programme de la RAMQ • Ordonnance type • Programme de soutien thérapeutique • Calendrier des groupes de soutien • Aide financière communautaire
WE’RE HERE FOR YOU THIS HOLIDAY SEASON! During the holiday season, the Therapeutic Support Program’s volunteer therapists Vivre au quotidien : remain on hand to provide free conseils guidance to lymphedema sufferers and their loved et autogestion ones in difficult situations. To reach the Therapeutic Support Program (TSP) team, dial 514 979-2463 / 1 866 979-2463 and leave a message on our voice mail. Or write to aql@infolympho.ca Find out more about the TSP Please allow 24 to 48 hours for a response from a volunteer therapist.
Localisez facilement les thérapeutes et détaillants
Découvrez ProLymph : la plateforme de ressources
ALL ABOUT COST MANAGEMENT: treatments, compression, RAMQ, insurance Your next online education and support group takes place on January 18, 2024 at 7 p.m. ALL ABOUT RAMQ AND INSURANCE with Suzanne Leclerc, Certified Lymphedema Therapist - Explore the many ways to reduce your treatment costs. Discover strategies to minimize your compression bill while making optimal use of RAMQ’s generous compression garment program. ZOOM presentation in French. This free event organized by the LAQ will take place on Thursday, January 18 at 7 p.m. Registration MANDATORY: aql@infolympho.ca We look forward to seeing you! This lymphedema event is made possible by the Lymphedema Association of Québec, whose mission is to support those at risk and those affected, while raising awareness of lymphedema as a chronic disease within the healthcare community.
The LAQ at CISSS Montérégie On November 20, 2023, the LAQ had the opportunity to present its services to cancer care professionals at CISSS Montérégie. Over thirty nurses and other professionals attended the session. The team was made aware not only of cancer-related lymphedema, but also of the presence of pre-existing lymphedema in their clientele, linked either to severe obesity or venous insufficiency. This meeting will enable even more efficient referral of patients to the LAQ. The LAQ presentation will shortly be available on the Réseau de cancérologie de la Montérégie website, in the Professionals section. This presentation was made possible through ROCO - the Regroupement des organisations communautaires en oncologie. The LAQ would like to thank ROCO for this initiative. We’re happy and proud to be part of such a dynamic group!
THE STORE OF HOPE Give yourself a gift this holiday season! Treat yourself to an alert bracelet or measuring tape, complete with photos and measuring instructions from lymphedema therapists. https://infolympho.ca/boutique/
Shop the Store and support your LAQ!
LOOKING TO PAMPER YOURSELF?
A spa treatment for lymphedema, an odyssey of well-being Little known in America, spa treatments for lymphedema have been gaining popularity in Europe for decades. Here’s an overview of the use of spa treatments for the safe care of lymphedema sufferers. Thermal medicine is an invaluable support for the treatment of patients, offering a beneficial therapeutic break away from their everyday environment. Thermal treatments are the very essence of lymphedema therapy, but the quality of the cure also depends on interaction with other patients sharing the same chronic illness. The mineral waters at the heart of the treatments have therapeutic virtues recognized by the Académie de Médecine. In some spas, the sulfuric, sodic and alkaline water has specific characteristics, such as a temperature of 33 °C, a pH of 9.6 and the presence of bargin, a substance with antibiotic, antiinflammatory and healing properties. Patients are referred to the spa not only for lymphology indications, but also for gynecology and phlebology, after assessment of erysipelas risks or potential contraindications
A treatment protocol adapted to lymphedema Adapted Spa treatments have both physical and chemical effects on lymphedema. Immersion of the edema in a bathtub or walking pool, combined with techniques such as underwater and air jets, initiates a physical action. The chemical composition
of thermal water, rich in mineral salts and trace elements, offers an anti-inflammatory chemical action. The treatment protocol, adapted to each individual, includes a variety of practices such as hydromassage, jet shower, walking pool, manual lymphatic drainage and the application of compresses soaked in thermal water. A therapeutic education program is an ideal complement to the treatment, enabling patients to acquire knowledge about their pathology and the skills needed to treat their lymphedema. It includes workshops, specific treatments, adapted physical activities and lectures on balanced nutrition and elastic compression. All of this greatly enhances compliance with compression treatments and personal care. Ultimately, thermal treatments adapted to lymphedema and therapeutic education improve scarring, reduce lymphedema and pain, increase joint mobility and promote patient autonomy. The practice of adapted physical activities reinforces these results, making the adapted spa treatment a complete and effective treatment for lymphedema, contributing to a significant improvement in patients’ quality of life. To find out which spa centres in France offer a therapeutic approach to lymphedema, click here: https://bit.ly/cure_thermale_France
TIP OF THE MONTH
FIRMLY SECURE Do you have to adjust your compression garment often? A tube of adhesive lotion will help garments stick to your skin. Apply in vertical strips from the top of your garment, rather than horizontally. Find out more about this glue from your fitter.
© Lymphedema Association of Québec. PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION PERMISSION: Reprinting is permitted for personal use only. Content may be distributed/shared only with written permission from the LAQ. aql@infolympho.ca