Oh Jane,
I so can relate to your post and am right there with you. It is such a shock to have had it all under control and then it just goes pear shaped, often for no apparent reason. I had exactly the same reaction as you when I was first told mine was playing up again. I kicked and screamed and cried for a while and refused to acknowledge that I needed to go back into my long garment at work. I nearly drove myself mad with reasoning why, why, why this was happening after being in control of my lymphedema for so long. Then after all that anger and denial I did settle down, and like we often have to do with this rotten disease I reached some form acceptance and got on with the job. You will get to that point to and get into the bandaging, you just need to process and have a cry for a bit first (you're entitled to that). Then it will be head down, bum up and lets just do this bandaging and get on with things. Bandaging can be challenging, although I have heard it is not nearly as bulky as it was a few years ago so I hope that is the case. It can be very effective and quite quickly, just a bit of a pain. I bought one of those plastic things that people in plaster casts wear over their casts in the shower and it was brilliant. After a while I got used to the bandages. They will help.
Sending you the biggest cyber hug.
Paula xxxxxx