top of page

Lymphedema

By Dawn Oswald



Lymphedema

What is it?

Lymph is a colorless fluid, but I see black

Edema is excess fluid in my arm, which I see red

How angry I feel

Why did I get it?

Was I chosen for a reason?

Did the cancer cause it?

Yes, the cancer spread

I did not deserve it

Neither do you

I don’t want it

Be angry

Get mad

Do something about it

Someone help me

Can it be helped?

Yes, it can be

Helped by angels

Touched by the angel’s hands

An angel to perform a procedure

Whatever the help you need, get it

Do not let lymphedema ruin your life

Take back your life

Get your arm back

Back to normal

Normal as it can be

Do the things you used to do

You win by getting the right help

The right therapist

The right surgeon

The right equipment

You fight for you

I did

Fight for your independence

You deserve it

You deserve to be happy again

Free from pain and deformity

Free from losing your independence

Get help

I did

Now I am back to being me

Mrs. Independence




Share your poetry:

https://www.survivingbreastcancer.org/submit-breast-cancer-story


SurvivingBreastCancer.org Resources & Support:





273 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Meditation Mondays:

Chakra Chanting with Gloria

Mondays at 10:00 a.m. ET 

RSVP

Thursday Night Thrivers:

All Stages

Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. ET

RSVP

 

Thursday Night Thrivers:

Metastatic Breast Cancer

First and third Thursdays

of the month at 7:00 p.m. ET

RSVP

 

Thursday Night Thrivers:

Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Second Thursday

of the month at 7:00 p.m. ET

RSVP

Tuesday Night Thrivers

Después de un Diagnóstico:

Spanish support group

2do y Cuarto Martes de cada mes 

7:00 p.m. ET

RSVP

Art Therapy

October 2 6:00 p.m. ET

RSVP

Yoga Stretching for DIEP flap

October 3 6:00 p.m. ET

RSVP

Yoga with

Chair assist 

October 10, 11:30 a.m. ET

RSVP

Writing Workshop:

Reflect and Recharge

October 16, 6:00 p.m. ET

RSVP

Restorative Yoga:

Fall into Meditation

October 17  6:40 p.m. ET

RSVP

Qi Gong 

October 24, 11:30 a.m. ET

RSVP

Breast Cancer Book Club

November 5, 11:00 a.m. ET

RSVP

Más eventos en español

RSVP

Upcoming Events

1

Surviving Breast Cancer provides breast cancer support, events, and webinars at no cost to you! Whether you are looking to gain more knowledge on a particular topic or meet up with other breast cancer survivors, we have something for everyone. 

2

Our standing appointment on Thursdays is for all stages. We also host specific breakout groups once a month for specific stages and subtypes such as Metastatic breast cancer, and Inflammatory Breast Cancer, etc. 

3

The Book Club meets the first Sunday of every month at 11 am ET. You are welcome to join each month or pick and choose your month based on your availability and the book we are reading. 

4

Through art, writing, and other creative modalities, we hold the power to manage our stress, make sense of our now, and relax into moments of stillness. 

5

Free, monthly, online classes in restorative yoga, yoga for breast cancer, and Zumba. 

6

Después de un Diagnóstico

bottom of page