I wanted to contact you to ask you for your help. My oldest daughter Lacey Koscheski Stout who grew up in Collinsville and graduated from Collinsville HS in 2007 has recently been diagnosed with a disease called Lymphedema in her right leg. Lymphedema is a chronic disease in which the lymph nodes and vessels that drain and filter fluid from tissues fail to allow immune cells to travel where they are needed, in turn causing the affected area to swell increasingly and be at greater risk for serious infection. This disease cannot be cured, but it can be managed over time, however, it is very expensive. Lymphedema is a common disease in older generations whose bodies are breaking down, with patients that have had a major surgery in which body parts have been amputated, along with cancer patients who have under gone mastectomies and other various serious surgeries, however, the exact known cause of how Lacey contracted this disease is still unknown at this time. Lacey’s insurance does not cover some of the treatments she is in serious need of. She is in desperate need of donations to be able to pay for some of the following treatments:

1. Skin care to prevent injuries, infection, and skin breakdown, as well as light exercise and movement programs. This type of lymphatic care starts at $85.00 an hour for acupuncture, lymphatic massages and heating techniques to reduce swelling as well. Lacey's right calf is now at around 7 inches larger then her left. Her skin is stretched and cracking from the swelling.

2. Physical therapy. Exercise has to be carefully designed by a physical therapist. It should help drainage without leading to swelling from overexertion, which could make her condition worse. Lacey's right leg is in constant and at differant levels of pain.

3. Wearing compression stockings on the affected area or using a pneumatic compression pump on and off during the day will be helpful. The stocking Lacey is required to wear is $150.00 and needs to be replaced regularly, the pneumatic compression pump is $525.00.

4. Surgery. Surgery is used in some cases, but it has limited success depending on the patient. Over the past 25 years, more than 1000 patients with Lymphedema have been treated with microsurgical techniques in which improvement was noted in 87% of patients. Volume changes showed a significant improvement in 83%, with an average reduction of 67% of the excess volume. The surgeon must have a lot of experience with this type of procedure. She will still need physical therapy after surgery to reduce Lymphendema as well. Lacey is hopeful to get the surgery that could make a dramatic difference in her condition and possibly save her leg from a future amputation.

Lacey and her husband have a three month old son, and money is something that is very scarce at this time. We have set up an account for her at the American Bank of Oklahoma in Collinsville to receive donations to pay for treatments. We will be so thankful for donations, they will be so greatly appreciated.

Thank you and Sincerely,

The Koscheski and Stout Family’s.

(12/28/2010)