March 6 is LYMPHEDEMA AWARENESS DAY!

OK, Did my bit on the LE day. Exposed my arm and when someone asked I gave them the story. One gal was wide eyed taking in all. Good for her, she was in medical field.  One gal was a lab gal and she was good about it too. Since I didn't get to walk and flash my arm in the big city as planned I have decided that until Sun I will make it a point to talk about LE. Going out tonight to a meeting with many people attending. Hopefully after the meeting someone will ask.  You know I would rather hide but this week I am giving it my extra effort. All for the cause.

That horton picture and trunk jokes are a hoot! makes me laugh.

Purple, that was a great way to deflect the inquiry. Your parenthetical thought about having a nose problem was excellent also!

I sent an email with a few sentences to our local newspaper earlier this week but they probably did not have room to publish it on the 6th because I didn't see it that day. Since the entire month is for LE Awareness according to the NLN, I will try again.

Here's the text of my email to our hometown paper: 

Sent the original below hoping there would be space on 3/6. Would like to have you publish the following whenever possible this month!

March is Lymphedema Awareness Month. What is LE? Chronic swelling (usually of an extremity such as arm or leg) resulting from disruption of the lymphatic system, often when lymph nodes must be surgically removed for cancer treatment. Most people don't even realize they have circulating lymph fluid in their bodies. It is nearly as important as the blood flowing through our veins and arteries. You can imagine the shock and surprise when this function is impaired and the patient learns they have an incurable condition.

Therapies are available to minimize the long term effects, so if you know anyone with symptoms, suggest they contact their medical provider. Compression garments like sleeves and/or stockings can be employed. On-line support groups are helpful. The Waukesha Public Library has one book specifically about this topic: more research is badly needed.

Thanks Carol - your version would have been more eloquent I'm sure! I tried to be short & sweet so we'll see if they use it.

BTW, I printed your excellent exercise "manifesto" and will keep it handy when I attend the new drop-in yoga class at my cancer center later this month...

Purple, Thank you for your care and input. It is true, You never know why a person is asking about your glove or sleeve? The response you gave (according to your feelings that day) came off "so smooth" I like how you transitioned into "why,do you have arthritis?" This throws the ball back into her court and then it was great how you said, "mine is medically prescribed, it won't help your arthritis.

Your right some days we want to educate and other days we want to hide. You also make a good therapuetic point to "say, what you want and then move on." Yes, I may be stuck in the LE hamster wheel when it comes to people's reactions and googly eyes. I think this is what I need to do. Work on getting out of the LE hamster wheel and carry on with my day. After all, the people inquiring are getting on with their day, why shouldn't I? OK..... A little self growth going on here... This is good for me. 

Carol, Your brochere pictures are really good. When you said you had made something for the medical community I pictured just words and not graphics. I think it will draw people in to read more. What a work of love.