About feeling overlooked and, well, damaged...

Binney that is a heart warming and well written peice. It is lovely to see more of the life of a most valued person on this board, who has for years selflessly encouraged and helped others.

Warm Hugs.

Binney, that was really, really beautiful.  I evaluate children and young adults like yours and they are my favorites, much moreso than the higher achievers "in the classic sense."  You (and they) are truly blessed. And thanks for the reference to the lymphedema.  I don't have it, but my dance teacher does.  It's very severe, and at all times, she covers up her arms with long-sleeves (over the compression sleeve), every season, 100 degree weather, etc.  Since she also teaches many exercise classes (yoga, Pilates, balance classes, personal training, etc.) she doesn't wear a glove or gauntlet, even though she probably needs it, but she doesn't want to call more attention to herself than necessary.  It is actually interesting that (due to the long sleeves and no glove), individuals new to the classes sometimes don't notice anything, even though the arm and hand are really ballooned out and you can even see it sagging at the elbow from all of the lymphatic fluid.  She had IBC in one breast and triple negative IDC in the other and had, aside from bmx, axillary node dissection including tertiary level nodes, as well as rads to the axilla, chest, back, collar bone, etc.  (also a bone marrow transplant). Why I am saying this is that I know that she has said (kind of what you said) that cancer treatment and of course, lymphema can feel ugly and chronic.  She's not one to complain, but when she has vacation breaks between classes, she can develop severe pain in the shoulder/arm/wrist/hand.  Hardly anyone knows this, certainly none of her students/trainees.  She did confide in me because I've become a friend (as well as a student), but she keeps it private for the most part.  So, while I can't "feel" lymphedema, I can feel the consequences (pain, reduced manual dexterity), and see it every week, as well as what one remarkable person can do with it or despite it. And yet, it's very hard. 

ballet, your friend and teacher does sound like an amazing woman. I'm so sorry that she's having to deal with LE.  The heat from the coverups is probably not helping, but everyone in this forum can relate to why she wants to try to camouflage her LE. I really admire how she's spitting in LE's eye and not letting it keep her from her classes.

Binney, what a marvelous article. I have sent the link to many friends/family members. Would love for as many people to read it as possible. Much to appreciate.