22/05/2026
HELLO — THIS IS ME 💙
For those who are new here, I thought I’d properly introduce myself outside of my scrubs for once 🥰
My name is Roelene.
I’m a Registered Nurse and Certified Lipoedema & Lymphoedema Therapist based in Cape Town.
I have successfully completed 2 honours degrees with Cum Laude distinctions. It took me 8 years of full-time studying, with more than 4 000 logged clinical hours by the time I graduated.
After completing my degrees, I specialised further in:
• lymphoedema rehabilitation
• lipoedema management
• and advanced wound care.
This entire journey took over 10 years, and I still continuously recertify in lymphoedema management every 2 years to stay up to date with the latest lymphatic changes, evidence-based treatment approaches, and current research.
Although I no longer perform wound care (because my lymphatic patients keep me very busy 😅), I still guide patients and support wound care nurses with complicated cases — especially where lymphoedema, swelling, or delayed wound healing are involved.
I also personally have Stage 2, Type 3 & 4 Lipoedema myself, which means I deeply understand the physical and emotional struggles many women face on a very personal level.
Having both the theoretical knowledge and lived experience allows me to guide, support, and understand my patients in a much deeper way — because I know firsthand how overwhelming, frustrating, and isolating it can sometimes feel.
Most people on this page know me for speaking about:
• inflammation
• hormones
• swelling
• the lymphatic system
• lipoedema
• and helping women understand their bodies a little better,
but behind all the educational videos and treatments… I’m also just a normal human, like you 💙
I’m currently 32 years old and grew up on a farm in a very small town in the Free State, which probably explains my love for slower living, nature, meaningful conversations, and a good glass of wine 🍷
I’m also a wife to an incredible husband, a proud boy mom, and completely obsessed with dachshunds!
Outside of work, I love horse riding, cycling, functional gym training, a good braai, and relaxing in the sunshine.
Education has always been a huge part of my life and something I’m deeply passionate about. I previously lectured at the Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein in both the practical and theoretical lymphatic modules — and I still genuinely love teaching and helping people better understand their bodies, which is also why I started creating educational videos.
I also have OCD, ADHD & ADD, but over the years I’ve learned how to let it work FOR me instead of against me. In many ways, it’s part of what fuels my creativity, passion, energy, and ability to think differently 🙌
But something many people don’t know about me is that life has not always been easy.
When I was 15 years old, we lost our home in a fire.
Three years ago, I underwent brain surgery because of a Grade 2 glioma.
My brother was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and is now thankfully in remission.
I was hijacked at 21 years old.
I was held at gunpoint while working as a nurse in government service during my midwifery hours.
My flat was broken into, and I caught the man standing in my kitchen.
And I’ve also experienced the heartbreaking loss of a family member through su***de.
Throughout all my studies, I worked while studying full-time to help support myself financially.
So when I say I understand hardship, fear, grief, stress, survival, and rebuilding yourself… I don’t say it simply to comfort people.
Life challenged me from very early on.
But through every single season, God was always there 💙
And I think that’s one of the reasons why creating a safe space for women matters so much to me today — a space where women feel heard, safe, understood, and supported, because too many women silently struggle with symptoms they’ve been told to ignore for years… Me included.
I truly LOVE what I do, and I’m so grateful that this page has allowed me to connect with so many incredible women!
So whether you’re here to learn more about your body, your hormones, your swelling, or simply because you enjoy my content — thank you for being here 💙
Roelene 🥰
