Yay snuggling! (Also, we told you you were lovable. So there.)

Boo publisher! I believe that a number of the 26+ rejections of A Wrinkle in Time were complimentary.

I just sent a comment to the NY Times. Now I'm nervous. Of course, they probably won't even use it.

It was about yesterday's article and blog [link] about a study on exercise and lymphedema. This is what I said:

I had a mastectomy and removal of 17 lymph nodes almost six years ago. Fifteen of the 17 were cancerous, so I also underwent an aggressive chemo and radiation program. My arm lymphedema began almost immediately. I've had two rounds of compression and MLD treatment and wear compression garments pretty much 24/7. The good news is that there’s been no cancer recurrence. The bad news is that lymphedema is painful, aggravating, time consuming and hell on fashion choices.

I'm certainly glad to see more scientific studies being done on lymphedema. If you look closely at many of the recommendations for lymphedema, particularly those involved with exercise, it's obvious that they're based on anecdote, and the plural of anecdote is not data.

I do, however, wish you would rethink your decision to limit information about the exercise program used in this study. Recommendations to consult your medical professional and to exercise under a qualified trainer are at odds with reality. None of my medical professionals have known much about lymphedema. There are very few certified lymphedema therapists in the Atlanta area. My insurance will only pay for so much therapy, even with a ruinous co-pay. There is only one cancer-exercise-certified trainer in Georgia listed on the American College of Sports Medicine site. The Live Strong program is not currently available at area YMCAs. I plan to nag my local YMCA, but thousands of women live in rural areas without even the limited resources I’ve found in a metropolitan area.

(Thanks to Teppy for "the plural of anecdote..." Nothing sums up the current state of lymphedema knowledge better.)

Thanks to Teppy for "the plural of anecdote..."

I got it from somewhere else -- possibly the Bitch PhD blog, but I don't remember for sure.

Anything I say that sounds cool probably came from somewhere else.

Dear God, I'm getting the full rundown of my father's last days and memorial service from last Sunday.

Kill me now.

t bang

Just trying to help.

I feel like cooking something. But it's too hot to turn the oven on, and I don't want to stress my ankle by standing at the stove for too long, and I'm not sure what that leaves.

Do you have a crockpot or a Microwave?

Both. (My answer to "Do you have this kitchen appliance?" is almost always yes.) I think I might try making some raw Mexican food. (I've been on a weird raw food kick lately -- not for all meals, but at least a few meals a week. I'm pretty sure this will pass once summer is over and there aren't so many nice fresh vegetables.)

Well if you are making raw Mexican food then your problem is settled.So won't bore you with recipes. If you happen not to want raw food, you can make almost anything in a microwave, and make something good quickly wutgiyt heating the house. Crockpots also don't heat up the house, but obviously not something for last minute meals.

Argh! Cal-OSHA is making my head hurt.

Are you wearing your hard hat to protect you from that? Did you fill out an accident report?