Understand hate LE

Not sure ar all what you are talking about with the "the stretchy material they use under wrapping for sleeve".  There is nothing that is wrapped under my sleeves at all.  Not my day garments or night sleeve.  (I do use an Isotoner Opera length glove under my night sleeve as my night sleeve is a gauntlet style and it helps with hand) and have 2 over sleeves for it and use as/if needed.  I have to have light compression as I'm very pressure sensitive so my custom garments as light compression (heavy makes it so BAD).  

My LE does not stop me froom doing anything I want to do and I am a VERY active outdoor woman as I have always been.  I'm not 'young' but there is no reason for anyone to "feel' for me.

I, too, am 66 - will be 67 net month on the anniversary of the Battle of the Greasy Grass (AKA Custer's Last 'Stand') and the start of the Korean 'War' for Korea.

Jennifer, I hear ya'! There's nothing simple about the long-term side effects of bc treatment, that's for sure! Weight loss is a real battle, yes? But it sure does help with the LE control.

Not all of us are as fortunate as Kicks--I still struggle with some of the limitations the LE has placed on me. (Just tried crocheting again last week, my all-time favorite creative pasttime--and paid for it!)

One thing your post illustrates is that those of us with LE sure do have to get creative with managing it! Onward!
Binney

I would say that suffering is not a "zero sum game" where we need to compete and one person's suffering is more valid than another.

LE plain old sucks, that's my opinion, and I don't care if it's mild or severe, it's a condition we have to manage and it came with the treatment.

I hate having to factor it in, and for me, the limitations may be less than another person's, but it still impacts me.

Just read a book, "The Obituary Writer" by Ann Hood, who is a local writer, and as I know she lost a child the book had a focus on grief. I personally believe that LE involves grief as it changes us. The book wasn't wonderful, it was a book club thing, but I could relate to her comments.

Look, I'm facing abdominal surgery next week for iatrogenic endometrial cancer, and I NEED to work with the surgeon and OR and post op staff about how I'll manage my LE. It adds to the suckiness of the situation.

Luckily my surgeon understands. Many wouldn't.

Love what you said about competition and the degree Kira. Exactly.

Also some days as individuals we'll be able to cope with it better than other days. The thing that gets up my nose is people who tell you to "be positive" when the going gets rough or as some "miracle antidote" so we're supposed to be always on top of the world. Oh how I hate that saying above every other as if we can change physical reality with our thoughts.....All it does is make the person feel worse and dump more UNEEDED responsiblity to perform. (Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr )

Positive.... really???? about what?...yeah Im 100% sure I have LE ...100% sure Ive had BC....  What? like if we think hard enough, will we be able to get rid of our LE permanantly? HUH? People who tell you to "be positive" are uncomfortable in your presence and really don't want to hear about your "downtimes" because of either selfishness or the fear factor... it might cut too close to the bone and make them think too much about it for their own lives. Hence the copout phrase "be positive"..

Positive thinking SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The real meaning of "positive" I grew up with was either in power phases OR being 100% sure about something. Now we have the "positive cult" shoved down our throats from everywhere daily. Theres a vast difference between looking at the bright side WITHIN the frame of reality,  than playing mind games.

Reality is where its at for whatever it brings, good times and bad.

Rant over.

All that said, I know the difference between when people are genuine and when they are being a stupid ignoramus. I dont get defensive if someone makes a bloop but means well. I would tend to use the opportunity to educate someone and talk about it. 

Kira...thinking about you and your upcoming surgery. Extra BIG BIG HUGS for you because yeah, if things arent organized before hand and you cant work with your team, that can be very scary. I went through a dreadful ordeal with a procedure when it need not have been and I did my part to get things organized and it was all BECAUSE OF LE and all those "lovely gifts it gives you" ...  When things go wrong and you know you did your very best, I tell you it can make you VERY VERY angry.   

Oh Purple LOL ... thats the same article that heads up the thread Be positive shut up! which I forgot about. What an excellent article. I was prepared for the opposite and when I clicked on your link my heckles were well and truly up LOL. NOw theyre down... .