Blogs » Hello to all!

Hello to all!

  • I just want to say hello to all in the community and that I am so glad that there is a forum for us. Kudos to the genius who saw a need and thought of us.

    Now about me... I'm 26 years old and I have primary lymphedema. I began noticing changings in my feet, ankles, and lower leg when I turned 16 years old and received my first job as a sacker at a grocery store. It would come and go without notice and I was hardly bothered until the age of 24. That's when it start getting irritating. With the years of flucutating swelling, my mom and other family members freaked out because of my family's history of heart disease and hypertension. Needless to say I have been going to doctor after doctor and finally at the age of 25, I was diagnosed.

    I must admit before I found out about my condition I went through phases of ignoring it, becoming self-conscious, embarrassed, and even depressed. Though I've learned to accept it, I do miss wearing strappy, cute hills and sandals, that show off my legs.. LOL!  But I'm blessed and I have somewhat of a mild case of it. 

    But to everyone on here: I'm glad to be here and to share things with you and I hope that you are willing to share things with me.

4 comments
  • Natalie Algeyer
    Natalie Algeyer I am so glad to hear that some else went through these phases! Because it is so true the self-consciousness, embarrassed and even depressed over it! I feel bad when my kids want to do Disney and I have to get a wheel chair because I just can't walk the...  more
    April 15, 2009 - Report
  • Tina Budde
    Tina Budde Hi Kenya, I'm Tina, cancer survivor who has primary le too. I always thought it was secondary after cancer surgery but the kicker was the surgery was the secondary trigger to primary le. I have it in the left leg, right arm, abdomen, trunk, chest, neck,...  more
    April 16, 2009 - Report
  • <i>Deleted Member</i>
    Deleted Member I went through the same phases as well. I started noticing the swelling around at age 17. I never thought twicw about it though. I use to braid hair all weekend in high school and thought the swelling was from being on my feet to long. Plus it went away...  more
    April 20, 2009 - delete
  • Jennifer Kramer
    Jennifer Kramer I have a similar story--I have primary LE in both legs and have since childhood though I wasn't diagnosed until I was 13. I think we need to band together and demand cute compression garments!! Seriously, I still have some days when I get down about...  more
    April 28, 2009 - Report