LE girl scout badges: from Binney

kira66715

Binney posted this, and I just couldn't see it getting lost in a thread:

Binney4 wrote:

Actually, Cookie, LE is such a huge subject that they offer several badges. Here are a few we're all working on:

- This one is "Finding a Doctor Who Will Diagnose LE"

- This one is "Adjusting to the Idea that This is For Life"

- This one is "Compliance in Wearing Wraps in Public 23/7"

- This one is "Graduating to Wearing Compression Garments"

- And this is "Paying for Said Compression Garments"

- This is "Educating Our Healthcare Providers Without Decking Them"

- This is "Maintaining Arm/Chest Without Swelling"

- And here's "Coping with Yet Another Flare"

- This is for "Advanced Brownie Eating"

- This is "Doing MLD and Exercises Regularly"

And finally, - "Getting On With Life, Sistah!"

As you can see, we'll all need the extra-long badge sash to fit all of these on, and I'm sorry to say that our insurance does not provide them. No surprise there....

Be prepared!
Binney

I think we could all come up with more, and I have this vision of us with the sashes on, and the badges....

Can I add one from today: I send a patient with a script for compression garments CCL 1--and she calls frantic from the fitters, "They won't fill it unless you write 20-30 mm": well, maybe they never checked their Juzo boxes, but CCL 1 varies between European and American. So, I try to explain this to the fitter, and confusion errupts, and I fax over the new script...

Dealing with fitters who have no knowledge of LE and the products they sell: without decking them

Kira

hymil

I am starting in the obvious place - Advanced Brownie Eating.   I think I can manage that one, and If i never get any further it won't be too bad...

Just to add that in the UK we call our junior (7-10) girl scouts (UK: girl Guides) "Brownies". I might be a bit strange but I'm not really the Big Bad Wolf, I don't actually eat little girls!!

sisterinspirit

Binney, you are so funny! 

Deb

BeckySharp

I love these. I can line them up my compression garment whenever I get one!  Such creativity Binney.

cookiegal

Finally something to jazz up those sleeves!

Good job Binney!!!

Leah_S

I used to love Girl Scouts. Yippee! Now I can join again!

And I've already earned one badge - Advanced Brownie Eating.

Leah

Anonymous

This is hysterical! I never was a Girl Scout, but I feel like I'm currently re-earning some of these badges.

Suzybelle

They should sell compression sleeves with Binney's badges on them!!!!!

ktym

How about one for the most creative answers to the question "what is wrong with your arm?"   With the advanced badge for the most creative answers to that question when asked by a health professional

Marple

OMG.......this is one of the best LE laughs I've had.  Pathetic me. 

Looking through the list I have earned some badges.  Having said that I'm ashamed to say.....I don't know how to make brownies!!!  (Edit to say~please do NOT tell Suzybelle.)

Binney thankyou, and Kira for reposting for all to see. 

hymil

kmmd: How about one for the most creative answers to the question "what is wrong with your arm?" With the advanced badge for the most creative answers to that question when asked by a health professional

(Bonus points if the answer is from a health professional??)

a) I'm in... it's for the control arm  of the Freckle Development Reseach project.

b) Your colleague Dr X recommended it to reduce memory loss. Surely you remember Dr X??

c) It's to stop my arm from growing too long....

toomuch

What a hoot! Thanks for bringing some levity to LE!

Binney4

Oh, my gosh, Hymil -- to reduce memory loss! I love it! We tell that to all our friends and acquaintances with a completely straight face and they'll all be hurrying out to buy some for themselves. We could buy stock in the garment companies and finally come out ahead on this!

Binney, cackling!

ktym

Hymil that is funny, except, I'm afraid if I said it was to reduce memory loss someone would tell me it isn't working too well..

Suzybelle

I'm sticking with, "It's a side effect of gonorrhea."

 Sharon!!!!!  Get thee to a store and buy a box of Duncan Hines brownie mix - the kind with the Hershey's syrup packet.  Add a couple of handfuls of walnuts and a tsp. of vanilla extract and you are GOOD TO GO. 

This is the trashy way of making brownies, but I almost never make the from scratch kind.

If you are feeling really, really trashy, add some chopped up candy bars to the mix. 

Marple

Thanks Suzy.  Now even I can make brownies.    Ummm, what kind of candy bars or are you kidding about that part?

I just wouldn't have the nerve to say it's caused by gonorrhea.  But it is a good one!!!!

ktym

side effect of gonorrhea?  That is the best answer I've heard yet.  OMG I wish I had the nerve to give that answer

alex56

I've had a lot of luck with "I'm recovering nicely from my motorcycle accident. Thank you for asking".

kira66715

When I flew wrapped, I was shameless. I channeled my broken hand, and when TSA asked if it hurt, I tried to look stoic, and said "Just a little..."

And, I boarded first.

Shameless. Is that a badge--how to use LE to cut in line?

Kira

hymil

b) Your colleague Dr X recommended it to reduce memory loss. Surely you remember Dr X??

Too subtle. If they admit they don't remember Dr X (how could they as I just invented her) then I imply they are getting forgetful and should be wearing the sleeve themselves. Hey I could get them some... yeah, maybe there is a business opportunity in here?

Kira, we have few enough advantages, I see nothing wrong with a little honesty now and then... 

Suzy, I love your reply too (have to be VERY shameless for that one, although it does pre-empt those who act like BC is contagious and are loath to get near us) but i know i could never spell it. I'm not even going to try to cut and paste it, it's so bad.

BarbaraJo50

Thank you Ladies for the laughs.

I stumbled upon something today on the Govtracks.us website that excited me about lymphedema....believe it or not!  The lymphedema treatment act.org. It is a bill that was sponsored by NC Congressman Larry Kissell to offer better coverage to Medicare beneficiaries. If this would pass, I think (eventually) it would certainly result in other insurance companies to be more proactive about the treatment we need. This bill was offered before (in 2010) but did not pass. I am always sending messages or calling my reps and senators to tell them how I feel so now I think I have a VERY IMPORTANT project to work on.

When my Dr. sent me to the lymphedema clinic I was measured for a sleeve and given a "run off" of self massage technique and then they watched me do it to myself. That was it! The young woman said "you know what you are doing so you do not have to come back". Well, sorry I am not swelled three times my normal size but I do not want to get there either! Now after these months I am pretty sure I have LE in my trunk and my neck too. It is the same feeling of heavyness I have in my arm. With all of your information and Linda Lou too; I found a Vodder trained therapist in my area. I had two visits and it made a world of difference to be treated by someone who knows what they are doing and really cares too. I am trying to get the insurance to cover it. Who knows what they paid for someone to watch me self massage! (It wasn't worth the gas $$) I only hope I can get this treatment paid for by the insurance.

I am having surgery on the Monday after Mother's Day. My son said, "Two new boobs is a pretty nice Mother's Day present". He made me laugh. Anyway, I am having a R MX with TE's and a lat flap on the left. I have been so concerned about this LE and the surgery.

Now I know I have a project to work on after this surgery.

hymil

In all seriousness that project definitely earns you a special badge BarbaraJo and I hope it gives a good focus and distraction during your recovery too, best wishes for your surgery.

BarbaraJo50

hymil, thanks. Something to focus on will be a good thing for me. The insurance rep called me this morning and seemed positive. She said we should know within two days if the insurance is going to pay for the treatments. I will be leaving for another one shortly.

I had my last mammo this morning before the MX. The tech was so sweet and gentle. Even so, I cried when we were done. It is amazing what two minutes of sobbing can release.

I am so grateful for the kindness I have found here.

kira66715

Got another one: how to get the PT/OT's who treat us to understand they're managing a chronic condition, and the usual model of treat and discharge--no follow up just doesn't work for us.

And, why are PT/OT's managing our chronic disease anyway? Do diabetes educators manage diabetes?

 How to get LE therapists to understand this is a chronic condition and requires on-going care

 Name another chronic condition managed by PT/OT's without medical supervision

Kira 

hymil

Surely there must be community-based OT's and physios looking after the long-term patients/clients eg head&spinal-injury rehab, disability and very-elderly care, who are fighting the slow deterioration and trying not to lose ground but not expecting serious imporvements? Who looks after that sort of patient?

kira66715

Hymil, as far as I can see, that's a gap in our health care system: PT referrals are usually very time limited and specifiic to a diagnosis. Some of the medigap insurances around here only pay for 8 visits a year.

Kira

AnnetteS

I was telling my daughter about the ideas of what to say when people ask about the LE garments.  She suggested I tell people that it is to cover up my F*** You tattoo.  I could NEVER do that, but it would be funny.  Maybe I will tell them it is to cover up my tattoo of a naked man :-)

BarbaraJo50

Binney,

I think we need a badge for all of us that looked a dr. in the eye while that looked at us with that blank stare of "sorry, but my job is done"

duckyb1

Annette S.......Love your daughter......................My daughter has friends who had BC and she said they refer to it as a "flipper"

So my suggestion is . How did you get your bad arm..........

HAD SEX WITH A DAULPHIN AND THIS IS HOW I WOKE UP THE NEXT MORNING.

duckyb1

I have an appt. with an LE specialist on Tuesday...............like BC wasn't enough, I had to get this too..............You must admit........God does have a sense of humor.

Binney4

Ducky, do let us know how it goes on Tuesday. Thinking of you!
Binney