德国患者四年两次来中国求医 A German patient sought medical treatment in China twice in four years

"Thank you very much! I will come again next year!" On the morning of December 18, German patient Brigitte Ott-Gobel, who had just completed treatment for lymphedema, once again gave a thumbs-up to the medical staff of the Rehabilitation Medicine Department of Wuhan Sixth Hospital (affiliated with Jianghan University).

“非常感谢！我明年会再来！”12月18日上午，做完淋巴水肿治疗的德国患者布丽吉特·奥特-戈贝尔再次向武汉市第六医院（江汉大学附属医院）康复医学科的医务人员竖起了大拇指。

This is not the first time she has praised Wuhan Sixth Hospital. Six years ago, 59-year-old Brigitte underwent surgery for ovarian cancer. After radiation therapy, she developed lymphedema in her left leg. Despite seeking medical help in Germany, she experienced little improvement and suffered from two years of pain. In 2019, Brigitte, who came to Wuhan to work as a foreign teacher, accidentally discovered the lymphedema clinic at Wuhan Sixth Hospital online. With a trial mentality, she visited the hospital.

这并不是她第一次为武汉市第六医院点赞。6年前，59岁的布丽吉特因卵巢癌接受了手术治疗，术后放疗的她左腿出现淋巴水肿，在德国四处求医但收效甚微，饱受2年病痛折磨。2019年，来武汉担任外教的布丽吉特偶然间在网上看到武汉市第六医院开设淋巴水肿门诊，她抱着试一试的心态找到医院。

Receiving her, Huang Liemi, the director of the Rehabilitation Medicine Department, conducted a meticulous examination, assessed and measured the circumference of her lower limbs. It was found that the circumference of her left calf had increased by 5 centimeters. Combining the examination results, she was diagnosed with moderate lymphedema. The lymphedema treatment team led by Huang Liemi provided Brigitte with comprehensive lymphatic drainage and swelling reduction treatment, combined with guidance on home-based self-functional exercises. After six treatments, the edema in Brigitte's left lower limb significantly decreased, with little difference in the circumference of both legs.

接诊的康复医学科主任黄烈弥通过细致查体、评估和测量双下肢周径数据，发现她的左侧小腿周径增粗了5厘米。结合检查结果，诊断为中度淋巴水肿。黄烈弥带领的淋巴水肿治疗师团队为布丽吉特进行了淋巴引流综合消肿治疗，并配合居家自我功能锻炼指导。6次治疗结束后，布丽吉特左下肢水肿明显消退，双腿围相差无几。

Not long after, Brigitte, whose symptoms greatly improved, returned to Germany. She shared her medical experience in the local magazine with more people. When therapist Wu Nian received the electronic version of the magazine in German sent by Brigitte, she was pleasantly surprised. "I didn't expect to receive feedback from German patient friends. I hope our efforts can help every patient friend as much as possible."

不久后，症状大为好转的布丽吉特返回德国，她在当地的杂志上将自己的就医经历分享给了更多人。当治疗师吴念收到布丽吉特发来的全德文电子版杂志时，惊喜万分，“没想到能收到德国患者朋友的反馈，希望我们的努力能尽可能帮助到每一位患者朋友”。

In December this year, Brigitte came to Wuhan again. She found Wu Nian at the first time and received lymphedema treatment twice. When leaving, she expressed that she would come again next year.

今年12月，布丽吉特再次来到武汉，她第一时间找到吴念，又接受了两次淋巴水肿治疗，走时表示明年还会再来。

Huang Liemi explained that after tumor surgery, due to the large-scale clearance of lymph nodes, the lymphatic transport capacity decreases, leading to fibrosis and protein accumulation, resulting in lymphedema. This disease can achieve better treatment results through early intervention. The later the intervention, the more limited the treatment effect. Comprehensive lymphatic drainage and swelling reduction treatment is currently recognized by the International Lymphatic Association as the most effective physical therapy for lymphedema, which can effectively improve edema and enhance the quality of life.

黄烈弥介绍，肿瘤术后由于淋巴结大规模清扫，淋巴转运能力下降，导致纤维化、蛋白质堆积，从而形成淋巴水肿。这种疾病通过早期干预可以取得较好的治疗效果，越拖到后期，治疗效果越有限。淋巴引流综合消肿治疗是目前国际淋巴协会公认的淋巴水肿最有效的物理治疗方法，能有效改善水肿，提高生活质量。