Tag Archives: compression garments

Staying Stylish with SleekSleeves

alexa sleeksleeves

Last week I decided to spread a little lymphedema awareness, and, with the help of my friends at SleekSleeves, I donned a stylish sleeve on my arm for a day. I don’t have lymphedema in my arm – I have it in my leg – but I wanted to experience what it was like to wear something so visible. I wore it to my retail job, where I do a lot of customer service working at the register; it was a good place to give the sleeve some exposure and to see if and how people would react to it.

alexa sleeksleevesMost people thought it was a tattoo and commented on it, but a lot of people didn’t say anything at all – just stared, averting their eyes once they caught me catching them looking at my arm as I handed them change. To the ones who did say something, I explained that no, it wasn’t a tattoo, that it was a cover for a medical garment. I then explained why one would need said garment and what lymphedema was, and handed them my business card. It was a positive experience: they left learning something new, and I felt good about spreading some knowledge!

The sleeve itself was super comfortable. I wore a full-length sleeve in the “Wildflower” pattern on my right arm. The fabric was light and breathable, and the elastic wasn’t too tight at all, the sleeve staying in place throughout the entire day. Despite not having lymphedema in my arm, I plan on wearing both of my SleekSleeves for a little added warmth and style with my shirts this winter!

The sleeves are great for more than just lymphedema wear: one can wear them to cover athletic braces, insulin pumps, tattoos, surgical scars, or PICC lines. They’re also nice for added warmth during a run or workout, and come in a variety of colors and patterns to complement any outfit or mood. They come in child’s sizes, too, as well as styles for legs.

Visit SleekSleeves.com to see their full product line, and use the promotional code “WDH” for a 10% discount on your order. Shipping is always free!

For more information, contact sales@sleeksleeves.com or call 603-483-3474.
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My garments are in!

After three weeks of wrapping, my garments have come in: I’m now the proud owner of a brand-new Mediven stocking and a Solaris Tribute nighttime garment. Wahoo!

I’ve had both open- and closed-toe stockings before but I didn’t find either to be particularly comfortable, so I decided to go a different route with my new one. I’ve never had a stocking quite like this – I love my new Mediven! My new Medi is closed-toe but each toe is separately enclosed, with sort of a “toe socks” aesthetic. Having each toe separate gives it that much more individual compression, which I need because my toes and forefoot are my most affected areas. It’s super comfy, too – the team at GBMC and Caring Touch Medical did a great job measuring me for a custom fit. I’m looking forward to ordering these in a couple more colors when I go for my follow up appointment next week.

For nightwear, I got a Solaris Tribute. I’ve had a Tribute before and so I’m already pretty used to it, although my new one is a little different: it’s colorful! Solaris offers the Tribute in a small variety of colors now – a simple pleasure for us lymphies – and I got mine in a pretty shade of navy blue with two different sleeves: one jade green, and one red. I also got a set of toecaps to wear at nighttime for some extra compression. So far so good although I’ve been taking it off in the middle of the night, in my sleep. Not quite sure what that’s about but I think after a few more nights of wearing it I’ll get adjusted to the new fit!

I’ve been really consistent about wearing my stockings these past couple months, and getting new ones is strengthening my resolve to continue doing so. If I am able to wear my garment and have my leg wrapped during summer – the most difficult season for lymphies – then I can keep it up during the fall and winter!

What types of garments do you have? Which ones do you prefer?

Yesterday’s Overdue Appointment

I feel so fortunate to live near a lymphedema clinic, especially one as personable and competent as GBMC’s. My appointment yesterday went really well: they said that I had done a good job maintaining my swelling since my last visit three years ago, and that made me feel a lot more confident about my ability to take care of myself. I truly have made a daily effort to wear my garments and to have that recognized is super encouraging!

I met with a nurse, a doctor, and a lymphedema therapist, and between the four of us it was decided I’d start a physical therapy program where, in addition to the physical therapy itself, the therapist will be wrapping my leg in tight bandages each day for about a month. This process (“wrapping”) will allow for smaller measurements and a garment with tighter, more effective compression.

I’m excited to get this started; I did wrapping three years ago but am definitely overdue and in need of another new garment. I start sometime next week – hooray! Although I’m not relishing the idea of wearing layers of bandages in 90+ degree weather, I know it’s going to help me a lot in the long run.

What’s your experience with physical therapy and wrapping?

It has begun..

The warm weather, that is.

Where I live in Vermont, it has crawled into the 70s and 80s already. Yesterday, I got my first sunburn! Has nature forgotten that it’s only MARCH? Yikes.

Today, though, I’m prepared: I donned my compression garments, put on a pair of linen pants, and a light top. I’m a little nervous about how I’ll feel after a couple of days of this heat, because the stockings make my legs even hotter and more uncomfortable – it’s sort of a vicious cycle, isn’t it? – but my health has to come before comfort. (At least that’s what I keep telling myself.)

Last year in Vermont, we got snow in May, so here’s to hoping there’s a few more days of chilly weather before summer stays for good..!

Has it begun warming up where you live? What are you doing to beat the heat?

Happy New Year!


Photo from American Tailgaters Association

Happy New Year, lymphies! I got a feeling that this year will bring on a lot of changes – good changes – and I can only hope you all are feeling similar positive vibes.

One of my resolutions for 2012 is to keep up with my MLD and wear my compression garments more regularly. I’ve been so, so bad about it recently (well, a little longer than recently) and I know better than that. You all have taught me, through your emails and comments, the consequences of slacking off in lymphedema maintenance, and I’d be really dumb – and a little hypocritical – not to heed your words as well as my own preaching on the blog. So this year, I’m going to work extra hard at wearing my garments and practicing MLD on a daily basis. Scout’s honor!

I think the reason I’ve been so bad about maintaining my lymphedema is denial. I feel like if I ignore it or don’t wear my compression garments, it just isn’t there. Obviously, this isn’t true – just a day or two without my garments and my leg feels swollen and heavy in protest – but I stupidly cling to the denial because I’m still really insecure about my lymphedema. I’ve definitely gotten better about it, a little more accepting, but it’s something I struggle with a lot. Acknowledging my condition by actively taking care of it will probably assuage these fears, I think.

So – here’s to a new year, and a new resolve to take better care of our health!!

What are your resolutions for the new year? Do you have any that relate to your lymphedema?