Recent Entries

• HR 4662 - Lymphedema Cost Relief Bill on Capitol Hill

  by Kathryn Krastin July 2, 2010
  If you have been following me on my BEYOND WORDS LIVE radio show on BlogTalkRadio you will have heard several advocates speak out about the bill, what they have been doing in Washington, DC, and what still needs to be done. At this moment, we have 33 co-sponsors for the bill.... and still growing i...
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• Emotional Well-being

  by Kathryn Krastin April 23, 2010
  Hey, just wanted to share with you all a book that I discovered through a place called LYMPHEDEMA PRODUCTS, LLC.  (http://www.lymphedemaproducts.com) that focuses upon the emotional well-being of a lymphedema patient, as well as family/friends/caregivers of the lymphedema patient.  I ...
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• Employer is Changing Insurance Companies...

  by Kathryn Krastin April 15, 2010
   I hate change when one has been having a great response to Blue Cross Blue Shield in the past with the paying for lymphedema treatment costs and garments, pump, etc.  Now, my employer (due to cost factors) are considering changing to Aetna Insurance. Anyone with any pros/cons about Aetna...
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• National Lymphedema Awareness Day - Radio Show

  by Kathryn Krastin March 6, 2010
   In case you missed the show, you can still hear the show at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rlrn/2010/03/06/beyond-words-live-an-oral-history-project.   Please pass this  link to others to bring about a greater awareness of lymphedema to others, as well as discussion about the HR ...
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• JUXTAFIT VENDORS

  by Kathryn Krastin February 6, 2010
   Okay...  So if I get another prescription from my doctor here in Austin, TX, vowing to not to go to the vendor that I am used to going to for over a year (because my doctor doesn't like the vendor), where else can I get a custom JUXTAFIT ordered under my insurance plan?? What vendo...
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• Okay, so this isn't a story about LE...

  by Kathryn Krastin January 30, 2010
   ... but this is certainly a story of someone taking a different perspective of her ordeal with MS and taking it to a new height.     Please go to her page and read her phenomenal story for added inspiration....   http://fabulously40.com/blog/id/spoons-how-many-do-you-have-90...
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• Surgeries?

  by Kathryn Krastin January 26, 2010
  What do we know about surgery as a possible treatment for lymphedema? My boyfriend mentioned that his nephew had an enlarged scrotum from his sister kicking him, which surgery was performed.  Tonight, a friend mentioned that she has had several surgeries to combat the problem. Just curious......
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• YOU TUBE - SO WE CAN DANCE!!

  by Kathryn Krastin January 22, 2010
  What do y'all think about creating a You Tube video where we have folks taking a cam picture of each of us dancing in our surroundings--and, then someone editing these together to form one You Tube video to the tune of something about "can dance" and/or "can live" and posting it as an awareness...
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• EPITAPH?

  by Kathryn Krastin January 22, 2010
  Just sent out my first gift message to Bernadette, which read: Thank you soooo very much. I'm a bit new to the community, but I've hit the ground floor running. lol.... Give me a cause, I'll cause you to be aware! :P After reading what I wrote, I just realized that "Give me a cause,...
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• OPEN LTR TO CONGRESS - NLN SAMPLE (Cancer related only?)

  by Kathryn Krastin January 22, 2010
  Below is a sample open letter to Congress; however, it seems to focus on cancer related lymphedema --- any information to add for non-cancer related lymphedema???  Please post responses.     Medicare and other health care insurersAmerican doctors have not been schooled in the &#...
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• URGENT LTR TO CONGRESS - from NLN

  by Kathryn Krastin January 22, 2010
  In running across sample letters for writing to the Governor for an awareness day, NLN has posted on their webpage the following sample letter for even just awareness within Congress.  Thought, if you are in the writing mood, you might want to follow this letter to your Senators and House Repre...
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• Lymphatic Massages

  by Kathryn Krastin January 22, 2010
  When we end up going to physical therapy (especially as a result of needing wound care for our lymphedema), we are taught how to do self manual lymphedema drainage massage techniques; however, they are never seeming as effective as the physical therapist doing them. In the last year or so, with the...
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• BEYOND WORDS LIVE! AN ORAL HISTORY PROJECT

  by Kathryn Krastin January 21, 2010
  After the launch date of REAL LIFE RADIO NETWORK (February 15th), my show on Saturdays (titled as above), from 9:00a-10:30a CST, will be focused on survivors -- primarily of domestic violence issues; however, I am considering to have survivors from other traumatic events.   Would you, or someo...
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• Lymphedema Awareness Day

  by Kathryn Krastin January 17, 2010
  Has anyone tried to get a Lymphedema Awareness Day established by the Governor of their State?  Oftentimes, they will proclaim an Awareness Day, which is recorded into the legislative books.  With this being an election year in Texas for the Governor race, it might be a great time to pursu...
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• Current Frustrations

  by Kathryn Krastin January 17, 2010
  I have been getting frustrated at times with the hurdles that are sometimes placed in front of us -- even by the very doctors that are supposed to be advocating for us. (Lately, I needed to replace the Juxtafit garments that are over a year old and splitting from the bottom, but she refused becau...
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