Jim Miller
(sorry for the long post but I couldn't stop)
About those compression garments we wear...I know personally how we all are sensitive to wearing our garments in public. Many posts and emails and other blogs are filled with comments about people unwilling to wear their garments "out" in public. Yup, it absolutely does set us apart as "special", that's for sure. So we either don't wear the garment (dangerous) or keep it hidden even on the warmest of summer days.
I've had primary LE of the left leg for 45 years. I hid my LE garment for over 12 years, too uncomfortable to wear it in public. Then one summer day in 1980 I said to heck with what others think, I'm wearing shorts because I'm hot (no, not "that" hot! Sheesh!). I've worn shorts for every outdoor spring, summer and fall activity (hiking, cycling) ever since, showing off my garment, my big fat leg and my normal-looking muscled right leg. I got accustomed to the special looks and the questions. But most often there were no questions and no looks (that I could see).
So what's my point? My point is that I'm realizing that uncomfortableness you all feel about wearing your garment in public is still there with me even after all these years of wearing a garment in public. Because now, you see, the LE has progressed into my once "good" right leg. Now I'm having to wear a thigh high Juzo on the right leg all the time to control the new LE. Yup. Sucks. And so what am I doing about it? I'm hiding it. Wearing long pants or taking it off when I'm going in shorts. Yes: I'm unable to go to the gym with both legs in a compression garment!
Until this week when I convinced myself all over again that nobody cares, nobody is interested, nobody really will notice that both of my legs are in compression garments instead of just one. It's like that little sticky on the refrigerator that says something like dance like nobody's watching. But I must confess, it took a great deal of - something I don't know what - for me to go to yoga class on Monday night and have both legs in garments.
So I feel your pain, people. Every one of you who is uncomfortable going out in public with your arm or your leg in compression garments. Because I'm right there feeling the same thing. And I'm very uncertain if the next time I go to yoga class or go to work out in the gym I'll not strip off the thigh high before I step out there.
Silly? No. Challenging? Every day.
It is with great sadness that I must send this message.
Pat O'Connor, Founder of Lymphedema People, Huge Advocate for those who have Lymphedema, etc., passed away this morning in his sleep,per a message that I received via the Lymphedema People Facebook Group page per his son.
He leaves behind a huge group of friends and family including daughter - Emily and family, son - Patrick Jr and family as well as several sisters and other family members.
Once I have more information in regards to funeral/memorial I will pass on all
information.
Nessa