![]() ![]() One of the greatest actresses of her generation, Kathy Bates has brought numerous roles to life on screen and onstage that no other performer could pull off. As national spokesperson for the Lymphatic Education & Research Network, she heads a campaign that has made millions aware of lymphedema and the need for research and funding to find a cure.After battles with ovarian and breast cancer, she brings both celebrity and a survivor's perspective as she champions education, early testing, and treatment.The legendary multi award-winning actress has turned complex roles into iconic characters such as antagonist Annie Wilkes in the 1990 film Misery and the malicious slave owner Marie Delphine LaLaurie in American Horror Story: Coven.Those of us with lymphedema have succeeded in making our case and being recognized, but there is still work to be done to get us to our ultimate goals of new treatments and eventual cures. And NIH is now creating research categories specifically for lymphedema and for lymphatic diseases. Has there been progress made through your advocacy?Ībsolutely! NIH is working on a new, broader way of advancing lymphatics science and research by establishing a National Commission on Lymphatic Diseases. We’re all dealing with something, especially these days. Most of all, don’t withdraw from your family and friends. Get used to being in public so you can live your life to the fullest. As my other niece says, “Motion is lotion.” Other people’s stares may hurt at first, but they have no power to define us as people. However, hiding at home and living a sedentary life will only make things worse for your body and brain. Going out in public wearing a compression garment, especially when people aren’t educated about LE, can sometimes be more painful than the disease itself. For the day-to-day battle, I would advise gathering the courage to get out and live your life no matter the severity of your disease. The platitudes like “don’t lose hope” or “try not to get depressed” seem so cliche. To give someone meaningful comfort without physical connection is hard. That’s a very difficult question to answer. My little dog is jealous that they get attention before she gets her breakfast! Looking back over the course of your experience with lymphedema, what is your message to others who have been diagnosed more recently? I love coming downstairs in the morning to see the new buds. I found working with plants, digging my hands into bags of soil… it centers me. I also started raising miniature and full-size violets. If I can stop rushing, relax my shoulders, straighten my spine, breathe deeply, and focus on each little moment of completing a task, I have more confidence in my ability to live with LE. I try to pace myself so I don’t get too stressed. What do you do to maintain your health and energy? I managed to keep my weight off, which was a miracle. I don’t know what we would have done without her. My niece brought me food and helped me take care of the house. Like many, I was in quarantine for almost two years. I can afford the doctor’s visits, compression garments, and therapy. However, I’m luckier than most who have LE. I like to be self-sufficient, so before I know it, my arms are inflamed and painful. I’ve lost about 80 pounds over the last few years, which has helped a lot with the swelling in my arms, but I still wear my compression sleeves if I’m flying or if I'm doing strenuous tasks. "Other people’s stares may hurt at first, but they have no power to define us as people. NIH MedlinePlus magazine recently caught up with her to learn more about her lymphedema journey. When award-winning actress Kathy Bates was featured on the cover of NIH MedlinePlus magazine in 2016, she spoke about her experience with lymphedema following her breast cancer surgery and her advocacy for those with lymphatic diseases as a national spokesperson for the Lymphatic Education & Research Network. ![]()
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