Our health committee meetings are held on the 3rd Mondays of the month unless there is a conflict or a holiday. Our next meeting with be April 21, 2025 at 8pm ET. We are going to start thinking about a special Health Fair/Panel for this year. Please stay tuned for more information.

If you are a former member of the health committee or would like to find an area where you could be involved, please contact me at health@nfbpwc.organd I will put you on my list. The more you can contribute, the easier it makes it for me. I’d love to have you.

Notes from the Chair:

April is my birthday month which is why I am happy to share my Lipedema story with you. In addition, there are tons of facts and information for you to educate yourself on various health related topics and articles. Please feel free to email me any interesting information you think should be shared for this section.

Healthy Thinking for the Month:

It’s Spring, which means it’s time for Spring cleaning. This is a great time to look at the things you’ve gathered, not used or don’t need anymore. You can donate, sell, or whatever you are comfortable with, old things. It’s a great way to release weighted energy and free yourself symbolically of burdens.

Health Awareness Dates:

April is –

Alcohol Awareness Month; Amateur Radio Month; Child Abuse Prevention Month; (International) Cesarean Awareness Month; Defeat Diabetes Month; Fresh Florida Tomatoes Month; Medical Cannabis Education and Awareness Month; Move More in April; National 9-1-1 Education Month; National African American Women's Fitness Month; National Cancer Control Month; National Child Abuse Prevention Month; National Exchange Club - Child Abuse Prevention Month; National Donate Life Month; National Occupational Therapy Month; Nationally Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Month; National Youth Sports Safety Month; Oral Cancer Awareness Month; Pharmacists War on Diabetes Month; Pet First Aid Awareness Month; Physical Wellness Month; Rosacea Awareness Month; Soy Foods Month; Testicular Cancer Awareness Month; Women's Eye Health & Safety Month; Workplace Conflict Awareness Month.

Autism Acceptance Month - https://www.govinfo.gov/features/autism-acceptance-month

Autism Awareness Month Link -

https://www.autismspeaks.org/world-autism-month

Health Awareness Dates:

April is –

Alcohol Awareness Month; Amateur Radio Month; Child Abuse Prevention Month; (International) Cesarean Awareness Month; Defeat Diabetes Month; Fresh Florida Tomatoes Month; Medical Cannabis Education and Awareness Month; Move More in April; National 9-1-1 Education Month; National African American Women's Fitness Month; National Cancer Control Month; National Child Abuse Prevention Month; National Exchange Club - Child Abuse Prevention Month; National Donate Life Month; National Occupational Therapy Month; Nationally Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Month; National Youth Sports Safety Month; Oral Cancer Awareness Month; Pharmacists War on Diabetes Month; Pet First Aid Awareness Month; Physical Wellness Month; Rosacea Awareness Month; Soy Foods Month; Testicular Cancer Awareness Month; Women's Eye Health & Safety Month; Workplace Conflict Awareness Month.

Autism Acceptance Month - https://www.govinfo.gov/features/autism-acceptance-month

Autism Awareness Month Link -

https://www.autismspeaks.org/world-autism-month

National Parkinson's Awareness Month https://www.parkinson.org/parkinsons-awareness-month

National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month - http://nationalsarcoidosisfriends.org.tripod.com/index.html

National Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month (SAAM) - https://www.nsvrc.org/

National Toddler Immunization Month - https://www.nfid.org/national-immunization-awareness-month-resource-round-up/

Prevent Lyme in Dogs Month - https://www.avma.org/javma-news/2008-04-15/april-prevent-lyme-dogs-month

Sjogren's Awareness Month - https://www.beyondceliac.org/celiac-news/sjogrens-awareness-month/

Stress Awareness Month - https://stressawarenessmonth.com/

World Autism Awareness Month -

https://www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/acceptance-and-awareness/world-autism-acceptance-month

If you are a former member of the health committee or would like to find an area where you could be involved, please contact me at health@nfbpwc.org and I will put you on my list. The more you can contribute, the easier it makes it for me. I’d love to have you.

Healthy Recipes –

If you would like to submit a healthy recipe to publish in future newsletters, please send them to health@nfbpwc.org

Article courtesy of Health Committee Chair Susan E. Oser

What is Lymphedema and How it Affects Me

In June of 2024, I was finally able to go to see a doctor, not only to get a physical, but also to figure out what else was going on with my body. Of course I was overdue for a physical, but I had other things going on with me that I needed to get a diagnosis for. My legs were swollen, it was difficult to walk sometimes, and my energy was low.

When I went for my visit to talk to my doctor, he did my blood tests and other assessments, and it was determined I do indeed have Lymphedema.

What is Lymphedema?

This is the Mayo Clinic’s Definition: “Lymphedema is a condition that occurs when the lymph vessels are unable to adequately drain lymph fluid, typically affecting an arm or leg. Common causes include cancer, where tumors may block lymph vessels, leading to swelling. Treatment often involves a combination of physical therapy, compression garments, and bandaging to help move fluid from affected areas. It's important to manage lymphedema to prevent complications such as skin infections. While there is no cure, decongestive therapy can help control the condition.”

In my case, I’m at about a stage 2 and compared to other stories I’ve heard, I’ve been lucky to have caught it so early and take care of it. I first started physical therapy with a specialist in this area twice a week, started wearing bandages and did exercises to help with the swelling. To say that this wore me out was an understatement, but I have been lucky enough to graduate to compression socks (which are still a bit of a hassle sometimes).

Since there is no cure, I have been doing the best I can by keeping it at bay by being more active (as much as I am able), wear some kind of compression to keep the lymphatic system going, dietary changes, and also connecting with a couple of Facebook groups and a free online Zoom webinar once a month through the Lymphapress company. There is also a pump that I am in the process of trying to acquire that has been recommended by my physical therapist and other patients who use it.

The sad thing is that besides having no cure, this disease is sometimes seen as an overweight woman’s disease along with a few other stigmas surrounding it. A lot of doctors need education in this area as other parts of the body can also be affected by this if left untreated, both internally and externally.

Dealing with this has been pretty trial and error as far as what works and what doesn’t for me. However, I’m glad I have a name for what I’m going through now and I hope there is a cure.

Additional information on Lymphedema

National Lympehedema Network - https://nlnmembership.com/#!form/Contact

National Commission on Lymphatic Diseases - https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/advisory-and-peer-review-committees/national-commission-lymphatic-diseases

EvonniaDominguezLymphedemaStory-https://www.mediusa.com/evonnia-dominguez-lymphedema-story/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYmjgYHkJmyS-lNz6sg5d24nJ0_7te6U028O26vQ4Be9i7-wpZy14KleYk_aem_IExqsjVmkK785W9nDCjFIg

Health Article FYI

Trump administration considering closing HIV preventionagency:reports- https://www.washingtonblade.com/2025/03/20/trump-administration-constidering-closing-hiv-prevention-agency-reports/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=560e391b-df39-4a57-8dfa-8c3d0b7c83d3

Interested in learning about Heart Health and other information from Houston Methodist? - https://watch.houstonmethodist.org/

How Often Should You Clean Your House? Room By Room Tips - https://chachingqueen.com/how-often-should-you-be-cleaning-your-home/

Is soy healthy or unhealthy for you? Setting the record straight - https://naturalwomanhood.org/is-soy-healthy-or-unhealthy-for-you/?mc_cid=292ed8fa0f&mc_eid=05040fd20b

If you are a former member of the health committee or would like to find an area where you could be involved, please contact me at health@nfbpwc.org and I will put you on my list. The more you can contribute, the easier it makes it for me. I’d love to have you. We will meet on the 3rd or 4th Monday of the month unless there are any conflicts or holiday forthcoming.