MY FAT ARMS--writing about LE

Binney4

Hello, all!

For the past few months I've been writing a column for an on-line literary magazine called "Literary Mama." My earlier articles have been about my bc experience--and about our kids with disabilities. Today they published my article about LYMPHEDEMA.

When the editor read it she was dumbfounded to learn about LE, as she'd never heard of it (no surprise there), and she was really pleased to put it out there so others can learn about it too.

It's here:
http://www.literarymama.com/columns/archives/2012/10/my-fat-arms.html

If you go there and read it, there's a way to leave a comment at the bottom of the page. PLEASE CONSIDER LEAVING A COMMENT as a way to bring real awareness to this condition and its relationship to our cancer treatment. It's a chance for us all to be heard and to get the word out.

Thanks to all of you for all you share of your experiences here--there aren't words to express how important you all have been to me.

Be well!
Binney

Ginger48

Binney- I loved your article; you have a gift for writing and, apparently, mothering. Beautiful!!

carol57

Binney, congratulations on another beautifully written essay!  You have beyond a doubt raised awareness of LE and what it means to our lives.  Thank you!

Carol

Kay_G

Thank you from me as well. What would we do without you?

Lee7

And thank you from me too! 

Nitocris

Thank you Binney, your writing is  beautiful.  You are an inspiration in many things: living, loving, motherhood, LE advocacy.  We are privileged to share with you.

hugz4u

Love it, love, it, love it! Don't ever quit writing, it is your thing to do.

BeckySharp

Having worked with such special people as Tony makes me want to meet him!  What a bargainer he is!  Do you have the tandem yet?  Thanks for your beautifully written words that describe a jouney that most outsiders do not understand.  Becky

Binney4

We have a tandem! Tony's like a jet engine on the back; fortunately I control the hand-brakes and they work really well. Haven't gone far yet. We shall see....

I wish you could meet him too!
Binney

Marple

Beautiful Binney!!

o2bhealthy

Beautiful Binney!!! Thank you so much for explaining LE so beautifully.  I am so pleased you got the Bike and I hope you and Tony are enjoying the ride

carol57

Binney, you have shared with us in this forum that your LE caused you to switch to a one-handed keyboard. I am in awe...don't think I would manage that at all, let alone for the hours you must spend pecking away, helping us all here and writing professionally as you do.  I hope that in some future Literary Mama column you slip that in somehow, because I think it would really underscore the reality of how LE can impair function; that it's not just about discomfort and being uncomfortable with appearance, or even the ever-present infection risk that you explained.  People reading the column are certainly struck by your writing gifts, which for most readers would make the LE-challenge point all the more real.

Carol

Lee7

Carol you make a great point.  Its not just how LE may look, or feel but very much how it can impair function. I've mentioned I don't want to draw to much attention to my arm, but it isn't because I'm just vain about my appearance. I am seriously worried about my job, and afraid if I appear disabled, I'll be on the list to go. I have to be able to type. If it gets to a point that I'm unable to, I'm in trouble.

Binney , I hope you do write more.  You have a real gift.

carol57

Lee, I'm self employed, so not worried about anyone letting me go. But--I teach seminars, and that means lots and lots of air travel. What I worry about is losing control of my LE and finding that all the air travel prevents me from getting it back. Then I would have to reconsider what I do for a living, and that's pretty frightening.  So far, I have not had any big issues after flying, at least once I had a proper diagnosis and learned to take care of myself.  But every single time I fly, I have sensations and aches that tell me for certain that my arm 'noticed' the flights.  I do what I can to take precautions, but I'm always looking for the other shoe to drop, as they say. LE simply stinks.

Estel

Binney - You're a GREAT writer.

I read your article last night and one of the things about great writing is that it is multi-layered and the more I think about it, the deeper the levels, the more profound the insight ... and that is what has happened to me as I've read and then thought about your article throughout the night and then through the day.

It is informative in a beautiful, creative kind of way.

It is powerful.

It is profound.

It shares the effects of LE without being self-pitying.  

It also conveys that we are conquerors and while our lifestyle is inhibited it isn't completely crippled.

That. my dear, is brilliance.

I've shared your article on FB, over on CSN, Cancer Survivor's Network ... I'm saving it to my computer and I'm going to share it with whoever will listen.

As you say, BRAVA on a job WELL DONE!

Appreciate you more than I can say.

Thank you!

Binney4

Thank you so much, Dawne-Hope, and all of you, for your kind words. I'm so grateful for them, and for you. We all share so much!
Huge hugs,
Binney

purple32

This was my comment, Binney.  I didnt have many words after reading it- just warm tears .

I hope all will read it.   I wish it could be distributed to EVERY med. person a BC team!  Thanks for doing this for us .

-----------------------------------

"What an eloquent way to describe what those who have LE go through.... giving up dreams of being ' regular" ( like Tony)  little by little by little.  But those courageous  ones - like you , find a *smaller* dream , and  meet the challenge to realize it.

Thank you so much for spreading the word. INSPIRATIONAL!"

Binney4

Purple, just, thank you!
Big hug,
Binney

cookiegal

Go B!