A Journey of Hope and Healing: Living with Lipedema

For 15 years, I lived with a mystery—a condition that affects millions of women around the world but is rarely known or understood by medical professionals.?

11% of females have the same condition I’ve struggled with for so long. I wonder if they heard the same advice as me, “just watch what you put in your mouth,” when it’s not actually about losing weight.?

If you’re still with me here, you’re probably wondering what’s going on. Well, I’ve always shared myself authentically with you. But there is one journey I took recently that I have yet to share.

I was leading a life destined for two things: pants and long dresses. Because I was ashamed of my medical condition. And you might not believe it, but it’s because of Love Island I was able to find a break from my own isolation.

Get ready, friends. I want you to know that this is me at my most vulnerable

You may find this a little longer than usual,? but the story is worth it. You may find it useful for your journey of self-acceptance. Or maybe you’re looking for an answer to irregularly distributed fat build-up, I’d love to help you so keep on reading.

Endurance and strength come naturally to me - I'm an athlete through and through, having been a catcher for 1 to 4 nights per week since my youth.?

Even now in my 40s, throwing the fastest runners out on second is no problem for me! But such perseverance has not always come without difficulty. My struggles with panic attacks have often posed challenges that take every bit of my courage to overcome.?

I've learned how best to support myself during those moments by leaning into them rather than away; when it comes right down to it though, relying solely on yourself is truly what matters most.

At 25, I found myself perplexed by something mysterious on my ankles. The only word I can find to describe it is “shelf”.

Doctors were just as lost for answers as I was!?

With four nights a week catching behind the plate and no lifestyle habits that would point toward what’s known as “cankles” - it seemed like an impossible problem with few answers.?

After consulting with vein doctors, neurologists and kidney specialists; their collective advice? Watch my diet closely, shed 10 pounds...and run constantly (apparently runners don't have fat legs!). When an MRI revealed nothing amiss my “perfect thighs” even a kidney specialist asked to share my images with his class.?

If things were so perfect, then why couldn’t any doctor I went to find a solution, cause or even a diagnosis?

After investing in various types of treatments, it seemed like my issues were only getting worse. Until I went to meet Dr. Callum at Phenom HPM!?

He works with some of the most elite athletes (UFC fighters!) and was able to put together a plan that improved both my physical and mental health drastically: after eliminating certain foods, adjusting cortisol levels, and following his advice—I saw an amazing change not just in myself but especially on 8cm off from calves alone!

Honestly, I was still having some issues with my ankles, but I thought I was cured. Finally!

That’s when COVID hit. Like a lot of you folks, I was struggling with mental health and loss. Despite doing everything right, I found that my condition was progressively worsening. Even when things got better with global health, how could I go back to in-person events when I felt this way?

Well, I wasn’t forced into an in-person event. I took a long and arduous emotional journey.?

After the passing of my grandparents, I flew to Heathrow and was confronted with a devastating discovery - all familiar mementos from our childhood home had been discarded.?

This painful loss led me on an unexpected journey while I was uncovering my condition, Lipoedema. I learned it’s not only without awareness but insurance coverage.

Unexpectedly discovering a woman's story while staying at my cousin’s house gave me newfound motivation and hope to take control over what could have taken control of me.

So, finally, I made up my mind to do one thing and one thing only. Surgery–expensive surgery. After all those years of searching, nothing could stop me now that I made up my mind.?

After exhaustive research and consideration of my options, I chose to entrust the life-changing surgery into the capable hands of Dr. Amron at The Roxbury Institute.

After a Zoom consultation detailing my story, one that was unfortunately all too familiar for him and his team after 40 years in practice, they immediately offered assistance.?

Two surgeries on both arms and legs would be performed with confidence by their knowledgeable staff in California. It required a lot of considerable planning, saving and effort to choose myself in such a profound way.?

I had a difficult health journey, but I'm proud of my determination in the face of challenges.?

On March 5th, 2022, I underwent surgery on my upper and lower extremities with support from one of my best friends Audrey. We faced pain and tears together as she supported me through appointments - even when we embarked on an adventurous wheelchair journey on our flight home!?

Honestly, I couldn't have done it without her! There aren't enough words or gratitude I can find in the world to measure up to how I feel.

I won't lie to you, things were rough for a long while.

My mental well-being suffered afterward due to panic attacks and a heap of physical pain; it was challenging yet again. I was determined not to let this define me. So I continued to work, put myself out there, all in face of my behind-the-scenes struggles.

I’m very happy and grateful to be surrounded by love from encouraging family members and friends who kept motivating me each day at every single moment no matter how tough it got.

All jokes aside, let’s talk about goals before I explain how you’re 20% hotter than the general population too.

I’m a big goal-getter. And I set out to make a triumphant return on the ball field by May and I did it! This season was one of my best in years, playing at peak condition as an experienced 42-year-old catcher.?

Unfortunately, there were still more hurdles ahead; after attending an expo with my husband for support, Surgery Number Two awaited me back in Beverly Hills in September of 2022.?

From that point forward healing became not only about physical recovery but also emotional growth.?

Choosing myself to authentically love who I am today has left me feeling 20% hotter than ever before–not only because we work in supply chain , but because I chose myself; to love myself authentically.

So, how will you choose to love yourself authentically?

You might be a little confused when you start treating yourself with kindness. You might feel the urge to spread that kindness around to everyone around you. If that’s the case, then I urge you to check out The Blended Pledge–an effort to create visible changes in DEI across supply chain stages on a global level.

If you're keen to stay tuned on my healing journey, check back in at the end of the month when I return for a follow-up. Or, get with me in about six months to see how the full recovery process went.