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Body image challenges at any age Teaching an old dog new tricks
Body image challenges at any age Teaching an old dog new tricks
By Anna Kennedy
During the awkward teenage years, many girls are overly conscious and critical of their body. Their perception of what they see in the mirror can be much different than how others actually see them. Thankfully, for many of us, this consciousness disappears as we mature into adulthood. However for others, regardless of their body size or shape, it remains on their mind.
For those living with lymphedema, body image can be a life-long challenge. Studies have shown that the psychological aspect of living with lymphedema can have a significant impact on a patient’s quality of life.1-3 It certainly had an impact on me, even though I had always considered myself to have a healthy acceptance of my body.
Listening to this positive and confident young woman was the catalyst in changing my attitude completely.
I was diagnosed with lymphedema in 2005, exactly five years after completing treatment for cervical cancer. I remember my reaction to the diagnosis of lymphedema; shock at being told I would need to wear compression on my leg for the rest of my life. I thought my life was altered forever; no more bathing suits, shorts, skinny jeans, short dresses and high-heeled shoes. For someone who enjoyed dressing stylishly, I thought I was resigned to living the rest of my life in ugly and unfashionable clothing.
The lymphedema diagnosis was depressing and devastating to me. I recall first wandering the shopping mall with tears when seeing pretty heels or short dresses. I reluctantly transitioned to long dresses, gave away my shorts, skirts and heels. I was happy when maxi dresses came back into style, along with wide-legged and bell-bottomed jeans. Both options provided opportunities to hide my leg. It was the ugly compression stockings more than the swollen leg and ankle that I was conscious about. I worried about people staring, wondering what kind of thick stocking I was wearing on just one leg - and why.
While attending or planning lymphedema conferences in Canada, USA and Europe, Australia, I would still hide my lymphedema. I became an expert at choosing outfits that were fashionable but hid my leg. I wore wide pants and long skirts. It was at one of those conferences where I listened to a beautiful, young 16-year-old guest speaker named Isa-Bella LeClair (see 2023 Spring Pathways). She shared her journey as a teenager living with both Parker-Weber syndrome and primary lymphedema. On stage, in front of the large audience, she proudly wore a short dress with her large leg and thick, beige compression stocking clearly visible to all. Watching and listening to her, I felt both enlightened and humbled. How vain was I to think that people were even looking at me, at my age, and noticing my legs? Listening to this positive and confident young woman was the catalyst in changing my attitude completely.
It was around the same time that I took up playing tennis. Club and league dress codes dictated that I had to wear a tennis skirt on the courts. Of course, now the compression stocking became impossible to hide. Wearing a short skirt during tennis slowly built my confidence to wear short skirts and dresses off the court as well. I felt liberated and didn’t care what people thought anymore. I welcomed the questions about my stockings to inform and educate people about lymphedema. Sometimes it was a doctor I was playing tennis with, who was curious to learn more. Sometimes it was someone who knew a wife, mother, or neighbor who could benefit from the information I gave them. I knew I could influence someone’s life in a positive way just by wearing my compression proudly.
So what has this important lesson taught me?
• I am thankful that there is a scientific and evidence-based solution like compression to manage my lymphedema.
For those living with lymphedema, body image can be a lifelong challenge. Studies have shown that the psychological aspect of living with lymphedema can have a significant impact on a patient’s quality of life.
Compression is highly effective, non-evasive (unlike surgery), doesn't come with side effects (unlike medicine) and relatively easy to incorporate into a lifestyle, should you make the effort to try.
95 percent of the people, who you think are looking at your leg, are not noticing. Trust me.
For times when someone does notice my compression stocking, it’s an opportunity for me to educate him or her about lymphedema and the work of charities like the Canadian Lymphedema Framework.
You CAN teach an old dog (me) new tricks! LP
References
1. Fu MR, Ridner SH, Hu SH, Stewart BR, Cormier JN, Armer JM. Psychosocial impact of lymphedema: a systematic review of literature from 2004 to 2011. Psychooncology. 2013;22(7):14661484. doi:10.1002/pon.3201.
2. Winch CJ, Sherman KA, Smith KM, Koelmeyer LA, Mackie H, Boyages J. “You’re naked, you’re vulnerable”: Sexual well-being and body image of women with lower limb lymphedema. Body Image. 2016;18:123-134. doi:10.1016/j. bodyim.2016.06.002.
Carter J, Huang HQ, Armer J, et al. GOG 244The Lymphedema and Gynecologic cancer (LeG) study: The impact of lower-extremity lymphedema on quality of life, psychological adjustment, Gynecol 2021;160(1):244-251. doi:10.1016/j.
