A Call to Bare Arms

When I first began my cancer journey, I voiced hope that the experience of wearing hats would rub off some sophistication in my sense of style. Maybe I have gained a teensy bit of what I hoped for, but not much, I am afraid.

The proof of that? I am shamelessly going about sleeveless this summer. I don't have the arms for it, and I know it. But it's hot here in Texas, and combined with the occasional hot flash...I am rebelling! The fashionista's of this world are appalled, I am sure...and if there is going to be air conditioning, I wear a sweater or jacket, so perhaps they will offer me just a bit of grace. But for day to day living...for errands to the store...I have given in. I am ignoring my flabby arms and letting others ignore or roll their eyes! But, for me, I am being comfortable!

I think the motivation behind my courage to bare arms is this: my arms are never going to get better, and I refuse to survive cancer just to swelter in summer heat! And the reason I think it is not going to get better...my lymphodema folks don't want me to lift over 5-10 pounds. Of course I do, with the girls, but as far as going in for weight training, those days are over. (Rats, right? Like I really did that anyway. Well, once in a phase in my past life.) So what's a girl to do?

My decision...I am exercising the right to bare arms and give you permission to do so to. We'll just press on toward fashion goals this winter!