Loving life with Lymphedema

  Check out the bottom of this post for a discount code for Pandere Shoes! Hello!  Yes I am still alive, a bout of stage 4 cancer can't keep me down.  Ok, I apologize for the dark sense of humor, but it's what keeps me sane.  I have been laying low and focusing on being present with my family and trying to manage my pain and side effects from my cancer treatment. I currently finished round 5 of a clinical trial.  It's doesn't have a name yet, just a few letters and a lot of numbers, what can I say I'm a guinea pig.  Alright, I'll get to my review, I would hate to end up like a food blogger who tells you their whole life story before getting to the recipe (is there a "skip into" button like on Netflix?) If you have followed me for a bit you know I love Pandere shoes .  I have been gifted ones to try, but always try to give an honest review. I sincerely admire this company for working hard to find ways to make practical, comfortable and stylish shoes to ...

Summer can be dreaded for Lymphies, the heat on our limbs can cause them to swell even more.  Add to that bearing our compression in swimsuits and sandals, it can be emotionally difficult as well.  I hope my post will alleviate some of the concern.  I've collected some summer sandals that will fit your lymphie leg (all the sandals listed come in wide widths or will most likely fit people with LE) For each style I've included a "Save" option and "Splurge."  With shoes I like to purchase some fun trends and not spend a lot, but then there are some shoes I know will last and I will get a lot of use from, I am willing to spend a little more on these.  You may think "Allie it's only March, summer is months away!?"  I've noticed that a lot of the seasonal items are out of stock by the time it's the actual season to shop for, so I have learned to grab an item if I really love it, because chances are it will be gone next time I shop.  I hope yo...

 What fit's every Lymphie's leg? Answer-dresses!  Right now is the last day you can save 20% on dresses at Target under Target Circle Coupons.  Below are some great dresses you can wear now and transition into Spring!  I usually stick to maxi dresses, it gives a little reprieve to Bertha bring on display and I don't have to worry if my compression matches or clashes with the dress.  So here are four maxi dresses I have in my closet or want in my closet. Knox Rose Paisley Print Dress I purchased this dress last year and I'm so glad they have it back!  It's more a a midi dress, but it fits true to size and could be worn with a denim jacket now and on it's own in the summer! It comes in red and purple. Knox Rose Floral Print Wrap Dress Depending how tall you are this could also be a maxi or midi dress on you.  I love the long sleeves and delicate floral pattern.  It could be perfect for Easter!  Bonus this dress comes in Regular and Plus sizes!...

Peace, love and tie dye!  Two of my favorite things can become one in this tie dye lounge wear.  If tie dye isn't your thing it comes in several different patterns and colors, but I chose this beautiful earthy tie dye.  I also love that it comes in Regular and Plus Sizes.  Target has really been stepping up their games when it comes to Plus Size clothing.  Since Bertha is pretty large I sized up in the pants and since the sweatshirt is over sized I stuck with my normal size.  Below I styled it three ways, almost everything I'm wearing if from Target.  Some of the pieces and not current selling items, but usually Target brings back a similar item each year, so I linked all options in each look.  Enjoy! xo-Allie Out & About Sweatshirt:  https://shopstyle.it/l/brzlS American Eagle Jeans Shoes:  https://shopstyle.it/l/brznp Necklace:  https://shopstyle.it/l/brznl Cozying Up For Winter Sweatpants:  https://shopstyle.it/l/brzlO S...

 Surprise surprise, another Target find.  I don't know if it's just me, but everyday feels like the movie Groundhogs Day.  Wake up, put on my stretch pants outfit, kids distance learn, laundry etc.  In the state of Oregon we are still very shut down and quarantined (a word I will be so happy to ex-communicate from my vocabulary . . . hopefully soon.)  I have gotten used to my "home outfit." Stretch pants, a tunic top and sweater.  I throw on slippers or shoes depending on if I'm going out.  Long story short, I miss dressing for-well anything!  So when I saw this dress I bought it with a hope that someday soon I would have somewhere to wear it.  So here's the review. It is super lightweight, comfortable and forgiving.  It runs true to size and is very flattering.  I tried to style it three ways to show it's versatility and also show that you can wear it now and into Spring!  Below are the three outfits I played around with and m...

 Therapist: what do we do when we feel sad? Me: go to Target. Therapist: No. Convince me I'm wrong!  The past couple of months have been a roller coaster for my family.  When we're on the other side of things I'll write a post about it all.  I joke that a trip to Target heals all, but am I really wrong about that?   One thing I have always done when going into treatment has been putting myself together.  It started by not wanting my kids to know how yucky I was feeling when I had my recurrence five years ago.  I always made a point to get dressed and put on a little makeup.  I realized that putting myself together also helped my mental state.  Last week I started a clinical trial for mt most recent recurrence of my melanoma.  I don't get all dolled up, but like I said being cute and comfy helps my mental state.  I started with my shoe find and the fun leopard print purse my kids gave to me for Christmas. The Universal Threads B...

This is my very last minute Cyber Monday post.  It's been kind of a crazy week, but I wanted to share my best finds, because they are 30% off today only!  Target is having 30% off clothing and shoes for the family!  Here are my top wide width shoes.  I've also included my favorite pants that fit Bertha.  Happy Shopping!! xo-Allie Wide Width Shoes Universal Threads Wenda Wide Width Cut Out Bootie A New Day Wide Width Reese Quilted Sneaker A New Day Micah Wide Width Pointed Toe Loafer All In Motion Cathleen Wide Width Winter Boots Pants All In Motion Stretch Cargo Pants A New Day High Waist Leggings Wild Fable High Waist Leggings Wild Fable Liquid Leggings Wild Fable Faux Leather Leggings

After being a Mom to little's there are few things that gross me out, besides my kid's loose teeth (cringe) and snakes!  However I do love a good snake skin print, which is why I was so excited to receive Pandere's new Dolphin Rambler Shoe which has a beautiful detail of snake skin without screaming it. I have tried two other styles of Pandere Shoes, The Barista and The Rodeo.  Both have been an amazing fit for Bertha, but the Dolphin Rambler was next level.  The first day I wore them was a busy day running around doing errands and cleaning my house.  I was so pleased with the fit and how comfortable they were.  I also love that I can adjust the fit, for two main reasons. 1. When I wear my wraps I frequently adjust them during my day. When I adjust and tighten my wraps I have the ability to adjust the shoe as well. 2. I only have Lymphedema in my right leg and foot.  If you have Lymphedema or another condition with swelling in one of your feet you know how ...

 I'm at SAHM (stay at home Mama.)  About a year ago I started working again, but due to recent health issues I decided to step down from my position.  Although it was a difficult decision to stop working and be home full time. I know it was the right choice for my health and my family.  Especially since COVID started my days have been pretty low key.  My kids are bigger now and gone are the days where I would have to guess if it was poop of chocolate on my shirt.  And I thankfully I no longer need to pack a change of clothes for everyone in our family (including myself) for a simple day out.  I can actually wear a white shirt and it is still stain free by the end of the day . . . unless I myself have spilled . . . which happens more than I would like to admit.  I've graduated to being able to wear dangle earrings without fear of them being ripped out!  If you have kids you know what a big deal these things are. Even with all of these exciting...

I felt like this last summer was from the movie Inside Out.  It's a Disney Pixar movie talking about emotions and how they all have a place and are important, I highly recommend you watch it with kids or just yourself.  Also this next part will make way more sense.  Spoiler alert!   This summer we made so many beautiful and fun memories with family and close friends, they all were "Joy memories" shinning brightly gold, but like Inside Out "Blue Sadness" kept creeping in tainting those memories-Erysipelas.  It had been so long since I had an infection and even longer that I had a recurring infection, but here it was, one infection after the other.  I was on antibiotics and like clockwork once I ended one antibiotic another infection would start.  I was trying to get in to see my Infectious Disease doctor, but with COVID everything was backed up. (I have a previous Blog about finding out my infections weren't Cellulitis, but Erysipelas, you can find...

Winter in the PNW means rain, rain, a randomlly sunny day that is like 70 degrees, followed by-you guessed it rain.  Where I live in Oregon we do have some light dustings of snow and every 2-3 years it "dumps snow" which means a couple of inches.  Basically the whole city shuts down when this happens and we all hunker in for the 1-2 days it last.  It's the one time a year I love our steep driveway, it's the best sledding hill!  Winter and rain boots has been one of the most difficult items to find that fit Bertha .  Here are a few style I found that should work for us Lymphies and Lippys. xo-Allie Sorel Out and About Waterproof Bootie Living in Oregon and as a soccer Mom I need a good basic boot to keep Bertha dry.  I especially like these boots, because they are lace up, so you can adjust them if you only have one "Lymphie foot."  This is the boot I've had for the past few years.  I read reviews and decided to size up 2 sizes to a 12 and I'm glad...

 Hello Autumn my old friend, I've come bootless once again.  Every year when Fall arrives my social media is flooded with girls sporting wide brim felt hats, sweaters, t-shits stating "it's fall y'all!" and of course fall boots.  Two years ago I did find a bootie that fit Bertha . . . and I bought it in 3 colors. But I have had a lot of messages from women looking for Fall Boots that will fit their Lymphedema legs, so I went on the hunt.  As I was searching I discovered to my surprise there are a lot more options out there.  So many that I've decided to split my Blog Posts into three parts: Ankle Booties, Tall Boots and Outdoor Boots & Slippers. I'm always wary of boots with zippers.  Even if they have stretch, if they have a zipper pretty much every boot I've tried on hasn't worked.  Think about that pair of jeans you try to get on, the grunting, sweating and pulling-boots with zippers are those jeans' counterpart to me. So heads up there...

I guess my first question is . . . when was the last time you wore shoes?  Since the COVID pandemic I can count one time I wore a "fancy shoe" it's been all sandals and sneakers for me.  I have been looking for some cute white sneakers, ones I can wear with jeans, stretch pants and even with a skirt or dress.  I usually shy away from colorful or white shoes to try and not draw attention to Bertha.  But I've found a new confidence this year, so with swimsuits and shorts I'm adding any type color of shoe to the list of items I'm going to wear with pride!   I always forget Lane Bryant's shoes come in wide sizes, I checked and found their Lace Up Sneaker .  I ordered the 11 wide, they are so comfortable and I'm able to wear my Sigvaris wraps with them.  I would say they are true to size to running a bit big.  Before Lymphedema I was a size 10, now I size up to 11's, but with these I think I would stick with a 10 wide.  I purchased them duri...

Shop My Look Here! I had to add the question mark, because even before lymphedema at my thinnest I’m sad to say I never felt comfortable in shorts as a young adult. What that translated into is, “I didn’t feel comfortable in my skin” therefore I didn’t wear shorts.  I love flowy maxi dresses for summer, but now that we’ve become campers, the dress thing isn’t very practical. Even at home I find myself sweating up a storm, but a lot of times it's because of hot flashes. Picture you’re walking in a sweat suit in like 100° weather . . . and then walk into a sauna while Satan is breathing his hot breath on you-that’s a hot flash.  Sooo back to shorts.  Jean shorts are so cute, but if I’m going to wear shorts I need them to be lightweight, comfortable and flattering. Those words all describe the new short I found. Wild Fable’s High Rise Ruffle Shorts. They come in 3 colors and are $17!! I’ve learned at Target if you see something you could see yourself loving-grab 1 if not 2 ...