FIVE MILES!

I have been meaning to post this all week but I hit a new milestone with my work outs! This may seem like a tiny feat to some but I did a run/jog combo with minimal walking and made it to 5 miles. Since having Lymphedema, I have been able to do a little over 4 miles but never 5 miles. I wanted to share with my readers (all 5 of you!) that I did it!!! I then worked out again the next day and could only do 3 and had to walk, but hey, I did it once so I am sure I can do it again.

Exercise pays off and the more our limbs get conditioned to it and build muscle, the better we will be at pushing ourselves even further. It is difficult as heck and I know it as I cringe through the pain on the treadmill some days but don't give up, it will pay off!!

And please - be careful and don't over do it. I have been working hard at getting to 5 miles for the past year... yes it took me a year to make it to 5 miles from 4... Gradual is key with Lymphedema and always consult your doctor if it is especially painful.

Pain = Gain, In swelling that is...

Can I just complain about how some weeks this darn leg just kicks me on my butt. I am so exhausted this week I think because the pain in my leg has been so intense. So here's to everyone that still works and deals with a busy week in spite of pain and swelling, I commend you and feel free to complain as well :)

Weak Immune System

I have never really had the best immune system. I remember when I was a kid, I would get strep throat several times a year with high fevers and always sick for longer than normal periods of time, i.e. it took me much longer to get over being sick. Now that I have Lymphedema, I notice flare ups when I am about to get sick and while I am sick and I wonder what the correlation is between having Lymphedema and a weak immune system is, if any. I know we are more susceptible to infections in the effected limb but what about illness? Are we more prone to get sick or less likely to recover quickly from illness? When I search for information on this, I only get hits back on cellulitus and skin infections. Has anyone experienced the same issues or know of any research on this? My mind starts to churn, maybe it's the researcher in me, but I wonder if certain people are more susceptible to getting Lymphedema because of something in their immune system. Or possibly, Lymphedema weakens the immune system after it develops. If the lymphatics are a system then if part of that system isn't functioning properly, wouldn't it decrease the overall functioning and strength of the lymphatic system? I'm not a doctor at all but maybe someone reading my blog will have some answers. I need to see my doctor for a check up so I will pose these questions to him. I will post more information if I find it :)

Resource Info on Lymphedema and Exercise

I found a great resource for info on Lymphedema which talks about how specific and individualized exercise should be for those with Lymphedema. Please be sure to check it out!


http://www.lymphedema-therapy.com/lymphedema-exercise.html

Acceptance

I suppose one thing that I have learned from Lymphedema is that life throws a lot at you and there is not a thing you can do about it. No matter how good you try to be or how hard you work, sometimes things happen that you can't control. No matter how many doctors I saw or how much wrapping and MLD and healthy eating and exercising, I cannot get rid of Lymphedema. It is like so many other things in life. I think one good thing that has come out of Lymphedema is acceptance. Acceptance that there are times that are really awful whether its being diagnosed with a chronic medical condition, a fatal medical condition or simply being hurt by the behavior of others. It's easy to pile on the woe is me's and throw a pity party and I have done it. The type of day where you ask God, why me? And then you're convinced you're the modern day Job. But I think that is life, a lot of disappointments and hardships and a lot of why me's. I just don't think that is all of life and that kind of thinking starts with acceptance. Everyone is entitled to a fantastic pity party... But, big BUT, do it and get it over with and move on to what you can do to make it suck a little bit less. When I realize that I can make choices to make my situation better - it gives me a reason to get up in the morning - it's what keeps me going. Well, that and coffee and sugary treats... Also, helps to have some really great people in your life that love you and are supportive like a great boyfriend, an attentive roomie and parents that listen to you.

I guess that’s my inspirational speech after a horrible day. Should I be one of those motivational speakers or what?!? Lol.

Workaholic = More Pain in my Leg

My job has been calling for longer hours than I am used to. That means less time for exercise, sleep and more time sitting for long periods of time. Luckily it is Friday and work has calmed down for now. But by now, my leg and hip (and my back) are in quite a bit of pain and more swollen than usual. I tend to have an issue sitting still for long periods of time which is good for Lymphedema but this week of sitting for extended periods has set me back with my leg.

I think at times when stress and work load is high, it is good to stand up for periods and take a break from sitting. Rather than emailing a coworker, get up and go talk to them or stand next to your desk for a bit.

Also, that thing you have your butt on for long periods of time? Your chair...matters. I have been working from home and so sitting on a wooden stool (kitchen table) working 12 hour days and that is part of the reason my leg is more swollen and in pain. I need to invest in a desk and a good work chair for when I work from home.

So, even though life gets busy, there are always little ways to keep your Lymphedema in check. I will hopefully do better myself with that.

Staying motivated

I feel like life has been handing me a few lemons lately so what did I do last week? I went to the gym twice and sat on my butt and whined the rest of the week. Really healthy and motivating huh? Staying motivated to go to gym or exercise when life gets busy or crappy or even when it doesn't and you just lose motivation is really hard. So how do you keep it up?

I think most people go through this, even athletes; at least that is what I tell myself to make myself feel better... But how do you keep up the motivation when you have that extra obstacle of Lymphedema. It could have been stress on Thursday but my body, leg and hip ached so badly I went straight home and got into bed. I am not sure if going to the gym would have helped but it probably would have helped if I had just gone for a 20 minute walk. I worked late on Friday and instead of going on a run or walk, I just walked to the red box. Saturday I finally got myself together and did 90 minutes of cardio on the treadmill and in the pool. Here I am on Sunday and I don't want to repeat last week but I feel that unmotivated bug creeping back in (because the darn thing bit me today – grill with friends or exercise, well you see which won out).

I wrote my workouts down for the week so I am thinking I will stick to it. Possibly just writing this post will make me stick to it. My Lymphedema isn't going to magically disappear with my butt on the couch. It won't disappear in the gym either, but the swelling and pain will be near nonexistent if I stick with my exercise and healthy eating. New week = better focus on my priorities.