The Lymphie Life

Stay elevated.

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The Lymphie Life

  • Facebook
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  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • About
    • Lymphawhat?
    • About Me
    • Contact Me
  • Lymphie Stories
    • Allyson Hannah
    • Emma, age 4
    • Laura Sfiroudis
    • Rosie Silletti
    • Julie Bauer
    • MORE…
  • Reflections
  • Living with Lymphedema
    • Product Reviews
    • Tips & Tricks
  • Research News
    • Interviews
    • Lymphedema News
  • Links

Legal Disclaimer

Please note that this blog is for informational purposes only, and should not be seen as medical advice. I am not a medical professional — if you're seeking medical advice or have questions about your treatment, please consult your doctor or lymphedema therapist.

Both The Lymphie Life® and "Stay elevated."® are registered trademarks of Alexa Ercolano. All rights reserved.

Tag: celebrate

by Alexa Ercolano January 13, 2018 9
Reflections Website Stuff

Lucky 7: Celebrating the seven year blogiversary of The Lymphie Life

Time flies when you’re blogging about lymphedema!

Top Posts

  • Lymphorrhea: the leakage of lymph
  • Springing a leak: understanding and treating lymphorrhea
  • Bottoms Up! The Effects of Alcohol on Lymphedema
  • Nutrition & Lymphedema
  • Lymphedema vs Edema

Recent Posts

  • Research Roundup: From conferences to daytime TV, the spotlight is on lymphatics
  • Cigarettes and Chronic Swelling: Smoking’s effects on lymphedema
  • Research Roundup: Study reveals treatment gap among patients with cancer-related lymphedema
  • Product Review: Staying elevated with the Lounge Doctor Leg Rest
  • Book Review: “Lipedema Treatment Guide”

@lymphielife on Instagram

✨Friends are like compression stockings: supportive and tightly knit!
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Tag all your supportive pals to say #ThankYouForBeingAFriend this Valentine's Day 💓 ✨Unlike my lymphedema, you are second(ary) to none!
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Folks with secondary lymphedema - tag your special someone and show them some lymphie love this Valentine's Day 💕 ✨My lymphedema may be primary, but you are always my number one!
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Primary lymphies, tag your Number One person and let 'em know you care, lymphie-style 💘 Lost in thoughts and coffee cups... 💭☕ Do these breasts look familiar?

These two paintings are believed to be the earliest depictions of breast cancer, according to a team of oncologists who studied breast iconography throughout art history to look for evidence of the disease.

The first, "The Night" by Michele di Ridolfo del Ghirlandaio, was likely painted between 1553-1555 and based on a sculpture by Michelangelo. In it, the woman's left breast is smaller than the right and her nipple is retracted, which are qualities suggestive of cancer.

The second painting, "The Allegory of Fortitude" by Maso da San Friano, shows a female figure. Her left breast appears to have a tumor that broke through the skin, with evidence of swollen tissue around the nipple. “These features are consistent with those of an ulcerated, necrotising breast cancer and associated lymphedema,” the researchers write.

In an interview with ResearchGate.net, the researchers say they are "very confident that these women suffered from malignant breast cancer [...] The features displayed by 'The Allegory of Fortitude' in particular are typical of breast cancer.” This art may be history, but cancer and cancer-related lymphedema are not ➡️ According to stats shared by @lymphedematreatmentact, 68% of secondary (acquired) lymphedema is cancer-related, yet many cancer patients are still in the dark about their risks of developing it.

It’s not just breast cancer patients who are at risk, either: sarcoma, gynecological cancers, melanoma, prostate cancer, head and neck cancer... Lymphedema, like cancer, does not discriminate. I cannot tell you how many times I've heard from lymphies who say they were never told their risks of developing lymphedema when undergoing cancer treatment, let alone what lymphedema was.

This #WorldCancerDay, let's paint a new reality. Practice the art of awareness - spread the word about lymphedema and cancer.

Psst - you can read more about the paintings and the associated research at www.atlasobscura.com/articles/breast-cancer-renaissance-paintings 📚 and www.researchgate.net/blog/post/researchers-find-evidence-of-breast-cancer-in-renaissance-paintings This weather is "snow" joke! (Get it?) ❄️
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No, but really - the effects of chilly weather on your lymphedema can be serious.
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Just like a hot, sweltering day can aggravate your swelling, so too can a blustery winter one: extremes in temperature create changes in blood flow, which can cause lymphedema flare-ups. 🌬️ Also, cold air can lead to dry, chapped skin, making you vulnerable to infection.
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So what's a lymphie to do? Avoid breaks in the skin by using moisturizing lotion when possible. (Preferably one with a low pH and without alcohol, dyes, mineral oil, petroleum products, talc, or perfumes. Eucerin or Curel are good brands!) Stay cozy indoors, and when going outside, wear your compression and bundle up 🧤🧦🧣!
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Do you find the cold weather affects your lymphedema? How do you cope?
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Stay warm and #StayElevated, friends! ☃️

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The Lymphie Life

Top Posts

Lymphorrhea: the leakage of lymph
Springing a leak: understanding and treating lymphorrhea
Bottoms Up! The Effects of Alcohol on Lymphedema
Nutrition & Lymphedema
Lymphedema vs Edema
The Cellulitis Diaries: a day-by-day account of surviving infection while abroad

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Disclaimer

Please note that this blog is for informational purposes only and should not be seen as medical advice.

I am not a medical professional — if you’re seeking medical advice or have questions about your treatment, please consult your doctor or lymphedema therapist.

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Site Copyright © 2011-2019 Alexa Ercolano.

Both The Lymphie Life® and “Stay elevated.”® are registered trademarks of Alexa Ercolano. All rights reserved.

Made with ♥ in Baltimore

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