The thing is, being "stuck" implies impermanence. I think of a "stuck" object as something that can be jostled loose and put back into place. It's not "stuck" forever. That perspective also made room for self-compassion when I realized I had been stuck. 

Thank you all for your kind notes and support following my surgery last Thursday. (If you missed last week's newsletter, click here for the lowdown.) I feel great and honestly have been since I left the recovery room! There's no pain at the incision site and I'm getting around well on my crutches, even if I'm counting the days (7!) until my sutures come out and I can walk again! 

At 7:30 a.m. ET this morning, I am undergoing a lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA), which is a microscopic sugical procedure to bypass my lymphatic veins into my circulatory veins. We're talking about veins that are the width of human hair (!!!). The goal is to create "exits" for the lymphatic fluid in my left leg to alleviate the swelling and achy, heavy feeling I constantly experience. Although there is no cure for lymphedema, I'm cautiously optimistic about the results.

On March 6, 2023, I had never heard of lymphedema or World Lymphedema Day, yet I was mere days away from exhibiting the symptoms. On March 6, 2024, I was just getting over my denial and out of hiding. Check out the short video I filmed around that time. Today, I'm proud to celebrate lymphedema and help to spread awareness about this chronic condition. Thank you all for your support.

On June 6, 2023, my life changed when I was diagnosed with lymphedema. If you don’t know what lymphedema is – I didn’t – it’s excessive swelling caused by the buildup of lymphatic fluid somewhere in the body. My lymphedema manifested itself -- out of nowhere – in my left foot. It impacts my foot, my toes, my ankle, and my lower leg. There is no cure for lymphedema. Although lymphedema is not a life-threatening condition, it is a life-altering one and it requires extensive daily management.