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Sleeves and Gauntlets and Gloves, Oh My!


Just wanted to share a little smile with you.....after Breast Cancer Surgery and Lymph Node removal, women get a condition called Lymphedema in the affected arm, the arm on the side of the surgery or both arms in the case of double mastectomies. The arm and hand/fingers swell because there's no longer any lymphatic system to drain that limb. It's a chronic condition and at this point has no cure. However, some clever people came up with decorative "Sleeves" & gloves that breast cancer patients can wear which compress their arm & hand and diminish that Lymphedema. Because they're quite decorative they tend to attract attention & curious people will ask what you're wearing and why. The folks who make this clever little bit of business, "LympheDivas" :) developed a list of ready answers for the insatiably curious who ask why you're wearing that decorative sleeve. This list of snappy responses is from their web page.          You're welcome.  ðŸ’‹

                                       Some Sleeve examples so you grasp the concept:




"I HATE WHEN PEOPLE ASK, "WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR ARM?" ANY SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO RESPOND?

If you have the time, tolerance, and vigor to explain lymphedema, then we suggest you do so. Educating others on lymphedema is important. We need to raise awareness and increase attention! However, if you are not in the mood, which we understand happens after one too many interrogations, here are a few statements, short and sweet (and humorous for you,) to get you out of that situation real quick:

“Trapeze accident”
“Just saved a dog from a burning building. Got a little scratched up.”
“Climbed Mount Everest and got stung by a rare bee, which caused my arm to swell.”
“Gym accident”
“Bad case of tennis elbow.”
“I’m glad you asked, this is my fake arm. A shark ate my real one while I was surfing in Hawaii. The fingers look so real, don’t they?”
“I am a professional air guitar player. I had a rough practice last night.”    
“Newfound addiction to archery”

_______________________________________________________________



Being the natural smartass I am, of course, I'd add a response of my own to their list:
"Got it from slapping people who ask nosy questions"

(Too soon?)


C'mon, ya gotta laugh with me. 😂

If you have response suggestions, put 'em in the Comments section, I'd love to see them. :) 

  

  P. S.---If you have Lymphedema or are a Breast Cancer patient, you can visit LympheDivas.com to check out their Sleeves, Gauntlets & Gloves just for us BC Babes. 

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Thank you for caring enough to write-- I'll answer as soon as it's possible for me to.

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