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Preoccupied by politics
I have been incredibly lax in keeping up this blog, for two reasons: The first is that my physical condition doesn’t really change much, unless it’s to get marginally worse with every month that passes. My bandages are still not working to deflate my legs—all the fluid between toes and knees simply shifts up and… Continue reading
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An Indictment of Rite-Aid
I take the drug Eliquis, a blood thinner, to prevent formation of blood clots. I have previously developed at least two blood clots, and since I have two conditions (lipedema and lymphedema) that make me prone to them, my doctor tells me I will be on a permanent dose. I have my prescription registered at… Continue reading
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Only in America
Have you ever seen that meme that says something like “what country has ever been able to make universal healthcare work?” and then it lists every single democratic country except ours? (plus a few others—see below) Well, this post is to say, I’m wishing about now that I lived in any one of them, while… Continue reading
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Consequences
I don’t know how to write this without sounding self-pitying or aggrieved, but I feel like I have to get it out, so… One of the worst parts of the loss of mobility that you don’t really think about when you are considering all the physical limitations is the emotional and actual isolation that ensues… Continue reading
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Blue vs. Red
This post, or essay, if you will, falls under the part of my blog’s subtitle that contains the “other stuff.” It isn’t specifically about my condition, except in the sense that yesterday my world changed to include a lot more fear about the future, as a disabled older woman dependent on Social Security and Medicare.… Continue reading
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Pushing through
I’m starting to understand that living with reduced mobility means that you have to be a problem-solver, every day and sometimes minute to minute. I’m also realizing that I have been letting my circumstances dictate too much of my daily routine, and I have to start pushing through the obstacles to live a more normal… Continue reading
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Living at the mercy of the USPS
When you stay inside your house as much as I do now, you become overly reliant on anybody who delivers, whether it be Amazon, DoorDash, Instacart or, yes, the United States Postal Service. And while I have had fairly good luck with the first three, the good ole USPS ain’t what she used to be,… Continue reading
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Discouragement
After four months of success using the Fabrifoam Superwrap bandages on my lower legs to reduce my lymphedema, they have suddenly quit working. My legs are still wrapped 24/7, but they are swelling anyway, pushing on the bandages until they become tighter and more uncomfortable, instead of looser as the fluids diminish. I have no… Continue reading
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Limitations and solutions
Last week, the kid who waters all the flower beds in my yard, front and back, came on Monday night and then agreed that he would be back on Thursday afternoon. Thursday afternoon came and went, and he didn’t show, so I texted him and he said he’d come after work. (He got a job… Continue reading
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Is fat relevant?
I had heard a part of this quote from author J. K. Rowling before, but just saw it in the context of the entire speech and wanted to share it. Fat-shaming is one of the last abuses in which many people feel justified to participate. “Fat’ is usually the first insult a girl throws at… Continue reading
About Me
I started this blog to talk about a genetic, fibrotic fat-storing (some say autoimmune) condition called Lipoedema, which is something I began to experience in my 60s, although some see early onset at puberty, or post-pregnancy, or at menopause. The other “L” condition from which I suffer is Lymphedema, as a common secondary effect of the fibrosis that blocks lymphatic drainage. Despite the fact that one in 11 women suffer from lipoedema, most doctors have never heard of it, so on top of the pain and embarrassment of this extremely obvious malady, millions of us are out there being fat-shamed for a condition that isn’t contingent on diet or exercise for its growth. This blog was intended to share my reactions.
I have, however, reserved the right to discuss “other stuff” here and, increasingly, since January 20th, 2025, that is politics, because what else, after all, are we legitimately obsessed with in this age of fascism in these United States of America? So while the “theme” of this blog may be confusing, it is my blog, where I can talk about whatever I wish. You are not constrained to read the parts you don’t like. But I feel compelled to write about them.
MEdoubleLL 