I painted a fun beach scene today on an old piece of wood from dh's aunt's barn. It all started when I found a shell that looked like a dolphin while we were at the beach last week. There are sea turtles, little sea shells, etc. You really have to use your imagination on some of them!

My sister found the little fish that looks like a goldfish. I found the one that's going to eat it for lunch.

Aw Ruth - that is soooo cute! What a great imagination you have

Velvet, here is an old post of mine about LE, maybe it will be helpful:

"I had 11 lymph nodes removed, so this (LE) has always been an area of real concern and mindfulness for me. When I had my surgery, there was no one around here to go to for advice, so I did a lot of studying on my own. Here are some thoughts & tips I came up with.

First, I think that whether or not you are prone to LE has mostly to do with how your lymph system handles trauma. I would say most cases (unless you are in a horrible accident or are doing really extreme activities) are neither through any virtue or fault of your own; just a matter of good or bad 'luck'.

That being said, there are many 'little' things that we can do that may reduce the risk of developing LE or minimize flares (these are for people with SNB too):

• No BP, IVs, needles, shots etc. in that arm....consider getting a medical ID bracelet (to wear when traveling anyway). There are some really pretty ones out there that look like jewelry (I have a good website if you want it)
• Wear gloves when doing yard work, gardening etc.
• Wear sunscreen when out in the sun, bug spray when out with the bugs
• If you get a cut, scrap, bite...wash it with soap/water and slap on a bandage. If you see any sign of infection, get to the Dr. & on antibiotics ASAP
• Be sure to switch arms when carrying your purse, hauling around anything heavy, dragging luggage etc.
• Be careful about saunas, I avoid them, and also manicures and massages (on that quadrant of my body anyway).....not everyone does, but that's just me
• Keep a healthy weight
• Keep hydrated, limit alcohol
• Don't wear tight rings, watches, bracelets on that arm (when flying, I put my rings on my other hand & leave them on that side fro a couple hours after I land)
• Also, be sure to keep well hydrated when flying, move your arm around a lot, make fists etc. get up & walk around the cabin (which won't be a problem if you are well-hydrated because you will have to go to the bathroom!), if someone wants to help you hoist your carry on & off the overhead, let them.....maybe think of checking a heavy bag....
• When exercising that arm; start very slowly, take your time...build up weights very slowly...don't skip levels...don't do too many reps in one session. Mix up your exercises, don't work the same muscle groups every day. You may want to work with an experienced trainer (or PT) to help you construct a balanced program.
• One thing I do want to add; after my surgery I was scared to start doing upper body. Neither my surgeon nor my oncologist could give me any good solid advice, so I talked to my GP. What he said was that I DID want to exercise my upper body, that it was important to do so as it would actually build up the lymph system, and although, of course, I should be careful and notice if my arm felt heavy/swollen etc. that I shouldn't be afraid to have it feel a little 'normal' soreness...because anytime you exercise a part of your body that you haven't been using for awhile, of course, it will feel sore. That made sense to me, and gave me 'permission' to get moving.

Wonderland - so sorry I credited your creativity to Ruth......lol!

Ruth - you're a great teacher and I believe to be a great teacher takes massive levels of creativity. Maybe not arranging shells on such on painted barn board stuff - but creativity all the same

The shells would have fallen off already if I had made them

Wonderland, you are so creative and clever - well done on being released and moving forward. Ginger, teachers here are almost completed, and a few are finished and now fill the daytime gym classes, more so than the retired women. It's good to be on our toes regarding LE, yet the 3 main determinants are: 1. number of nodes removed, 2. high BMI, 3. radiography. This thread has shown me that not all with any of the 3 I listed get LE, as some posting have had nearly or a full clearance, radiation, reduced their BMI (are fully active in exercise) and have not experienced LE. I think this thread and members such as Ruth and Mary, show the way forward, as do many here. This was a main question I received on Wednesday night and I too offered Step Up, Speak Out website as a number one educational site to read up on lymphedema and exercise and has printable handouts for personal trainers, so that they can learn about it.

Thank you for your support on the fundraiser - it really helps. Woke with brain whirling with what I forgot to buy, more lists. We stand a chance of rain tomorrow and sure hope it does not. Anyway, I need to get moving, so much to do and teaching Pilates mid-day, off to get a lesson plan together too. Thank you again everyone, this thread is very special to me, on so many levels - namaste ><

For you Falconer and Ruth - Sexy Beetroot Recipe (from friend Lief who is originator and sent the recipe to me)

Beetroot washed, topped and tailed [not peeled] cut into medium to small chip size (batons), all similar size. Coconut oil or olive oil about 3 tablespoons. Place cut beetroot in warming oil. Add tamari or soya sauce, 3/4 tablespoons and add balsamic vinegar 3/4 tablespoons. Cook gently for at least 30/40mins. tossing once in a while,

I will taste as they get softer and adjust by adding one of the above ingredients as beetroot will tend to absorb in different quantities. They are done when they are soft and yummy , they should not be much liquor left, let cool…nice hot or cold

Since I missed out on my walk or 30 minute workout yesterday due to an appointment, was thinking of going for a walk today or working out tonight.

Did a walk around the neighborhood

Yum, Claire. I am always hungry after reading your posts!

Hope your weather holds out, Lilac, and thanks for the recipe. It sounds very interesting and has a GREAT name!

Have fun at your game, Falconer. We just got tickets for our annual Minnesota Twins baseball excursion for later in the summer. Whether the game turns out to be exciting or not, there is always fantastic ballpark food!

I had my pre-op physical today (for the July 24th hysterectomy) and had to laugh, when after I answered YES to the question as to whether or not I exercised, the doctor asked me how far I could walk...."I don't know, how far would you want me to walk? 3 miles? 6 miles? 10 miles? I could basically start walking and keep going until you told me to stop." (an answer that I believe got me out of a chest xray) I came home and did 45 minutes of pilates with Denise Austin & a 45 minute HOT, HOT walk.

I, too, LOVE this thread! Namaste

Great job on 5 miles, Falconer. Glad you now have the green light for other activities. Good luck on the fundraiser, LB. Nice graphic and blurb on walking, Ruth. Good luck on your 10th Seattle to Portland race, Claire.

Treadmill for 30 minutes. Weights for another 30. I was all set to go to Body Combat but got lazy at the last minute. I am still mourning the loss of Body Jam. Ugh. 

Pat, maybe travel IS your routine. ;-) Hope your DH's swollen eye gets better fast - ouch!

Falconer, no swing dancing, just the local community band giving a concert. Nice evening, though.

Supper with mom last night and stayed late so didn't stop for jazz. Sometimes, ya just wanna go home.

Morning walk and gym workout this afternoon planned. Love the reasons to walk meme, Ruth!

Yoga, walked, and went to a "Junk Fest"......not that I need more junk..... a friend of mine who makes & sells 'Button Bouquets" (I will post a picture instead of trying to describe them) had a booth set up there. I needed a couple of presents, so I figured I could support her & get some unique gifts all at the same time.

evening, everyone! Been thinking about you, Lilac, knowing it was a big weekend for you.

Ruth, thanks for that page on walking meditation. How can we save things we like from here? Anyone know?

Pat- hope the hubby's eye cleared up.

Heidi- what's the difference btwn combat and jam?

Octo- hope the knee surgery helps. Are you having a knee replacement

So there we are at the Cubs/Orioles game- what a beautiful place to watch a baseball game. Now; I haven't been to many games (3, actually in my whole life) so what do I know? But we had great seats and it was a fun time!We did lots of walking that day and night to get around Baltimore.

Congrats LB you did it, and in style!

Walked to the farmer's market yesterday morning and got some lovely fresh beets. Didn't make the sexy beetroot recipe but instead roasted beet salad with lettuce from DH's garden.

Beet and Pear Salad with Walnuts and Goat Cheese

This is a beautiful beet and pear salad recipe. The deeply colored, sliced beets are topped with sweet pears, goat cheese and a simple walnut vinaigrette.

(note: I use Bragg's organic BraggBerry dressing instead of making my own.)

Prep Time: 15 minutes / Cook Time: 1 hour / Total Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Serves: 4 if served as the first course / 2 if served as the main course

Ingredients:

• 2 large red beets, stems trimmed, washed
• 1 ripe pear, cored, sliced thin
• 1/2 cup toasted walnut halves
• 2 Tbsp sherry vinegar
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 Tbsp walnut oil
• salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
• 2 cups baby arugula leaves
• 4 oz goat cheese (I use the plain fresh goat cheese)

Preparation:Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Wrap the beets in foil, place in a small baking dish, and bake for 1 hour, or until tender (test with a small knife). Allow to cool completely. When cool, scrape off the skin with a knife, and slice the beets as thin as possible; reserve.

Fan the beet slices on four chilled salad plates. Top with the sliced pear and walnuts. In a small bowl whisk together the vinegar, olive oil and walnut oil. Season with salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste.

Toss the arugula with a couple tablespoons of the dressing, and divide on top of each salad. Top each plate with the goat cheese (grate fine if using firm, aged goat cheese, or simply crumble if using soft goat cheese).

Drizzle each beet and pear salad with more of the dressing, serving any extra on the side. Serve immediately. (note: while the pre-arranged salad is pretty, I keep the ingredients separate as they stay fresher if we don't eat it up at one meal.I put out one bowl with the beets & pear slices, one with lettuce, one with toasted walnuts and one with goat cheese, and let people make their own salads.)

Lilac - sounds like an extraordinary day!

DH's eye is still a little swollen and feeling better. Even though we did not go to the boat gathering yesterday, we did bike to the beach in the afternoon. Apparently he just didn't want to be seen by friends with his big swollen eye, but strangers (with shades on) were OK. Wasn't feeling the bike ride on the way to the beach, but got a second wind on the way home. It's about 16 miles round trip. I found myself thinking of you Claire and all the miles you were putting on your bike! Hope you had a fabulous weekend.

Hubby is out riding now, he gets more exercise if he goes without me - later we will probably take the boat out to a coastal pond and do some clamming, relaxing, etc. Have to enjoy these summer days!