Calleys Kicks
Donation protected
When I was just 25 - a new mum again, to a beautiful boy who completed my set of 3 beautiful children - I was diagnosed with cervical cancer. My world, and everyone who loved and cared worlds fell apart- and in the very beginning we all held our breath and prayed.
At a stage 1B2 - I was cureable. And despite the fact that I underwent a 7.5 hour operation to remove my womb/cervix/fallopian tubes/part of my vagina and my pelvic lymph nodes AND THEN had to go through 6 weeks of chemoradiation and 2 lots of brachytherapy- I was grateful to be alive.
Since the end of treatment I have developed problems - mainly from the radiation - one of the more unpleasant issues for me was the fact that my left leg started to become swollen. I was diagnosed with lymphedema a few months after finishing treatment and I was devastated.
Lymphedema is swelling that happens when thick, protein-rich fluid called lymph builds up in the body. This happens because of a problem in the lymph system. Usually, lymphedema affects an arm or leg, but it can also affect the head, neck and trunk. Treatment includes MLD Massage, and compression stockings.
In the year and a half that I have had lymphedema - my leg and foot have nearly doubled in size - currently I carry 4 litres more fluid in my left leg- and it is 40% bigger than my right. Bandaging to reduce the size of my leg was unsuccessful and I have now been put forward for lymph assist treatment.
My experience of lymphedema has been painful - physically and mentally draining - it's changed the way I see myself and others see me - it's changed the clothes and shoes I can wear and the amount of exercise I'm able to do. One of the biggest things for me was that I couldn't just buy some Nikes or something young/in fashion to wear - and they don't themselves provide odd pairs.. so I have made it MY mission not only to get myself some, but to help others get some too, starting off small and hopefully building up to a website of odd shoes/trainers that younger people would go for.. and I'm forever grateful to anyone that assists me in doing that!
I am planning on contacting my local MPs and some businesses to see if anyone is willing to donate pairs of trainers!
- if anyone would like to donate shoes instead of money - I am happy to pay postage or collect them :-)
At a stage 1B2 - I was cureable. And despite the fact that I underwent a 7.5 hour operation to remove my womb/cervix/fallopian tubes/part of my vagina and my pelvic lymph nodes AND THEN had to go through 6 weeks of chemoradiation and 2 lots of brachytherapy- I was grateful to be alive.
Since the end of treatment I have developed problems - mainly from the radiation - one of the more unpleasant issues for me was the fact that my left leg started to become swollen. I was diagnosed with lymphedema a few months after finishing treatment and I was devastated.
Lymphedema is swelling that happens when thick, protein-rich fluid called lymph builds up in the body. This happens because of a problem in the lymph system. Usually, lymphedema affects an arm or leg, but it can also affect the head, neck and trunk. Treatment includes MLD Massage, and compression stockings.
In the year and a half that I have had lymphedema - my leg and foot have nearly doubled in size - currently I carry 4 litres more fluid in my left leg- and it is 40% bigger than my right. Bandaging to reduce the size of my leg was unsuccessful and I have now been put forward for lymph assist treatment.
My experience of lymphedema has been painful - physically and mentally draining - it's changed the way I see myself and others see me - it's changed the clothes and shoes I can wear and the amount of exercise I'm able to do. One of the biggest things for me was that I couldn't just buy some Nikes or something young/in fashion to wear - and they don't themselves provide odd pairs.. so I have made it MY mission not only to get myself some, but to help others get some too, starting off small and hopefully building up to a website of odd shoes/trainers that younger people would go for.. and I'm forever grateful to anyone that assists me in doing that!
I am planning on contacting my local MPs and some businesses to see if anyone is willing to donate pairs of trainers!
- if anyone would like to donate shoes instead of money - I am happy to pay postage or collect them :-)
Organizer
Calley Duck-Bingham
Organizer
