Kirsten Schade has lived with lymphoedema her entire life. Born with a condition called unilateral primary congenital lymphoedema. Kirsten didn't receive her diagnosis until 1985, at the age of 24. In those early decades, awareness and diagnostic tools simply weren't what they are today.
Since then, she has navigated one of the most complex and demanding forms of the condition, with swelling affecting not just her right leg, but her abdomen, genitals, and digestive tract. Over time, her lymphoedema has progressed to stage three — elephantiasis — requiring a carefully orchestrated daily routine just to maintain her quality of life.
What Kirsten's story makes clear is this: lymphoedema doesn't pause. But with the right garments, the right routine, and the right support, life doesn't have to pause either.
A Day in Kirsten's Life
Every morning, before anything else, Kirsten disinfects her skin, applies moisturising cream, and then spends 30 minutes carefully donning her compression garments. Her daily routine involves double compression — toecaps plus a compression class 3 thigh-length stocking worn under a compression class 3 pantyhose. It's not a quick process, but to Kirsten, it's non-negotiable.
"I can only walk when I wear my compression stockings"
Twice a week, she attends 60-minute manual lymphatic drainage sessions — and puts her compression hosiery back on immediately afterwards to preserve the results. She also uses a Lymphomat device daily for additional drainage support.
At night, the compression garments come off and bandages go on. Different pressures are required around the clock, and Kirsten learned the bandaging techniques herself during a stay at a specialist clinic — a skill she's deeply grateful for today.
The Role Compression Plays
For Kirsten, compression isn't optional — it's the foundation of everything.
"The compression garments are very important, because, in normal circumstances, good compression can keep oedema in check and even improve it".
She receives new garments twice a year, and washes them every single day. That level of wear and care is exactly why quality matters so much. Flat-knit compression hosiery — like medi's **mediven 550 leg** range — is specifically designed for the higher compression needs of lymphoedema patients, providing the structure and durability required for long-term, consistent wear.
Skin Care: The Often-Overlooked Essential
Kirsten is emphatic about the importance of skin care alongside compression. Under a compression garment, skin can dry out and become scaly quickly — and without attention, itching and inflammation can lead to serious complications.
Her daily ritual includes foam cleansers and pH-neutral creams, both morning and night. On hot days, she uses a cooling spray applied directly to her hosiery. Her advice to fellow lymphoedema patients? Try different products, because every skin type responds differently.
Staying Active
Despite everything, Kirsten keeps moving. She does Pilates, takes frequent walks, climbs stairs, and goes hiking. She recommends swimming, Nordic walking, cycling, and cross-country skiing as particularly suitable activities for people with lymphoedema.
Movement — especially with compression — helps support lymphatic flow and contributes to overall wellbeing. It's a powerful reminder that lymphoedema is a condition to manage, not a reason to stop living.
The Emotional Reality
Kirsten speaks candidly about the emotional weight of growing up with visible lymphoedema.
"It requires considerable self-confidence to cope with other people looking at you. It wasn't easy for me as a child or teenager, especially in the summer."
Today, she approaches her condition with hard-earned resilience. She's found community through patient networks, rehabilitation clinics, and conversations with others who share her experience. Her advice to anyone newly diagnosed or struggling:
"Never give up, and find out as much as possible so that you can look after yourself properly. Anyone who is dissatisfied with their doctor or therapist should have the courage to look for alternatives, to ensure they get the best possible care."
75 Years of Support
Kirsten's story is one of thousands. For 75 years, medi has been developing compression garments that do more than manage a condition — they give people back their movement, their confidence, and their daily life.
From the mediven range for lymphoedema and oedema to flat-knit custom solutions, our products are built around the real, lived needs of people like Kirsten. Every innovation, every new colour, every improvement in comfort and fit — it all comes back to one purpose.
Managing lymphoedema or caring for someone who is?
Explore our range of compression garments for oedema treatment, or get in touch with our team for guidance on finding the right fit for your needs
Shop Compression Garments
Leave a comment
All comments are moderated before being published.
This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.