Transforming Tragedy Into Triumph

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - Sept. 17, 2013 - PRLog -- At the age of only 37, Susan Callison was in the midst of the battle of her life. It was October 2008, the month set aside to elevate breast cancer awareness, and she learned she had the disease. Susan was not entirely shocked by the diagnosis because her sister Kimberly was in the midst of her own battle with breast cancer, which she later lost. Both women were carriers of the BRCA II gene mutation, which dramatically increases a woman’s risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers.

As part of her treatment, Susan underwent an axillary node dissection to rule out the possibility of a metastasis in her lymph nodes. Although this was by far the easiest surgery to recover from, it has had the most lasting impact on her life. Four months after the surgery, Susan had her first experience condition called lymphedema. Lymphedema occurs in many cancer patients when the lymphatic system is damaged by surgery and/or radiation. This can result in an accumulation of lymphatic fluid that if left untreated, can disfigure and disable an individual. There is no cure.

After an evaluation by a lymphedema therapist, Susan was prescribed a medical compression sleeve offered by the established companies in the United States to manage her affected arm. The coverage of the sleeve, however, stopped at her upper arm causing a continuous pooling of lymphatic fluid. This created chronic pain in her shoulder, limited mobility in her hand and disfigurement. Susan’s quality of life was diminishing and her ability take care of her 2 year old son was compromised.

Susan’s struggle to find an optimal sleeve led to an unexpected journey. A worldwide search brought her to Solidea, an Italian based manufacturing company. As fate would have it, Enzo Pinelli, the founder of Solidea, had recently developed a prototype of a newly designed compression sleeve. Susan wore it and was astonished by the relief it offered; many of the symptoms she was experiencing vanished. Susan decided others should have access to this innovative arm sleeve. She opened Lymphedema Sleeve Co. in January 2010 now known as Solidea Medical. Little did she realize this was only the beginning.

After a progression of lymphedema into her lower back, Susan would make the discovery of a lifetime. This discovery of a revolutionary fabric would not only change her life but many others affected by lymphedema and other conditions with an edematous component.

The Advanced Micro Massage fabric (originally developed for the treatment of cellulite) was extraordinary at dispersing her lymphedema. This line of compression garments combines lighter

pressure with a patented 3D wave pattern on the interior of the fabric creating a gentle micro massage as the body moves. This innovation stimulates, rather than collapses, superficial capillaries to support the lymphatic system’s natural function to move fluid. According to Philip Allmendinger MD, a retired cardio thoracic and vascular surgeon and medical advisor to Solidea Medical, "This new dimension to therapeutic compression increases effectiveness and comfort which results in improved patient outcome."

According to Susan, "Solidea is redefining the compression industry and I believe every patient requiring compression should have access to their revolutionary garments. These compression garments gave me my life back and everyone should have the same chance."

Now cancer-free, Susan is raising her 7-year-old son, Cole, and her sister's 16-year-old daughter, Sayaka. An extremely difficult time actually changed her personal mission: "I believe in my heart that if you leave yourself open and you follow whatever path presents to you and you stick to it, amazing things can happen."

About Solidea Medical: Our Mission and Goal

Solidea Medical’s sole mission is to bring awareness and revolutionize compression therapy management for individual’s suffering from lymphedema and other chronic edematous conditions often as a result of cancer treatments, surgery and age. The discovery of a new technology in the maintenance of the aforementioned conditions can dramatically improve a patient’s condition and give back their self-confidence and quality of life.

Our goal is to be able to give back to the cancer community by funding families as they go through their cancer journey. This is the vision of Susan Callison, the founder of Solidea Medical, because of her own experiences during cancer and listening to the struggles of the many who cannot maintain their lives while in treatment. Cancer puts an unimaginable strain on families and has the most devastating effects on the children. We can help these families by supporting them as they find their way through this experience.

You can learn more by visiting: http://www.LSCdistribution.com