JANUARY 2024
THE
LAQ
BY YOU and FOR YOU!
Don’t miss the TIP OF THE MONTH on these pages! D É F I E R L A G R AV I T É
The 2024 LYMPHEDEMA GUIDE
OBÉSITÉ CANCER INSUFFISANCE VEINEUSE OBESITY CANCER VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY
is here! Of the 6,000 copies of the LAQ’s 2024 LE Lymphedema Guide, 5,000 are BOTTIN already in circulation in the healthcare LYMPHŒDÈME DU LYMPHŒDÈME N‘A PAS network and with our partners. LYMPHEDEMA À ÊTRE This year, the Lymphedema Guide lists over 70 certified lymphedema UN OBSTACLE
therapists and some 63 addresses for custom-made compression garments – a record! Looking great, the 2024 Lymphedema Guide offers enhanced content to help you find your way from screening to decongestion and compression. A handy table of contents has even been added for easy reference.
GUIDE 2024
ASSOCIATION QUÉBÉCOISE DU LYMPHŒDÈME LYMPHEDEMA ASSOCIATION OF QUÉBEC
Confiance de JOBST®. La prochaine génération de vêtements de compression sur mesure en tricot plat.
jobstcanada.com 1-877-978-5526
11204 Print ads for AQL Fre r1.indd 1
514 979-2463 – 1 866 979-2463 | www.infolympho.ca | aql@infolympho.ca |
2023-12-11 9:42 AM
For even greater convenience, the 2024 Guide can also be consulted from our website, simply by clicking on our partners’ e-mail and web links. Or use our interactive map to locate resources in your area. A QR code has been added to the printed Guide for easy consultation from your phone. Experience the digital Lymphedema Guide from this link. (English version available in February.) You’ll also notice our sponsors’ logos and a corporate advertisement. This is another first for our partners, who will be able to raise their profile at a time when lymphedema screening is gaining ground in Québec and the RAMQ program is being used more and more. Over the next few weeks, all our regular members – patients and supporters alike – will receive their copy by mail. Our partners, meanwhile, have received a first shipment of the Guide for distribution to their customers or at professional events. Thank you for distributing this tool, which serves as a compass for caregivers and patients alike. (If you run out during the year, please feel free to order some more by filling in the form provided with your first batch.) Finally, we would like to thank the entire community of therapist members, corporate members and sponsors who have made this success possible. Thanks to your trust and support, Lymphedema Resources and the LAQ are shining bright!
LAQ featured in ERP communications! Many thanks to our partner Groupe ERP, distributor of Mobiderm, Autofit and Thuasne compression garments and solutions. We were given free exposure in the Espace Médic newsletter and it’s much appreciated. By collaborating in this way, we’re giving lymphedema and its dedicated resources even greater visibility.
NEED INFO ? IT’S FREE! In doubt? Concern? Have a question? Need direction? Call 1 866-979-2463 / 514 979-2463 and leave a message for our volunteer operator in our voice mailbox. Our volunteer will arrange for a therapist to call you back within 48 hours. Please include your name, telephone number and the purpose of your call.
NEXT LAQ EDUCATION AND SUPPORT GROUP Being active and moving every day
Your next online education and support group takes place on February 29, 2024, at 7 p.m. BE ACTIVE, MOVE DAILY with Marie-Eve Letellier, certified therapist with the Lymphedema Clinic of the MUHC - Understand the benefits of being active and moving daily. Discover concrete strategies to get you moving. ZOOM presentation in French. Bilingual Q&A. This free event organized by the LAQ will take place on Thursday, February 29 at 7 p.m. MANDATORY registration by clicking here
We look forward to seeing you! This lymphedema event is made possible by the Lymphedema Association of Québec, whose mission is to support those at risk and those affected, while raising awareness of lymphedema as a chronic disease within the healthcare community..
THE STORE OF HOPE Not sure how to measure your limb? Drop by the Store of Hope to get a measuring tape, complete with photos and measuring instructions from lymphedema therapists. infolympho.ca/boutique
Shop the Store and support your LAQ!
TIP OF THE MONTH
DONNING DEVICE, A FRIEND
By avoiding the need to pull a garment on or off, a donning and/or doffing aid will protect you from skin irritation, preserves the effectiveness of the compression garment and help to position the garment properly. These aids are also helpful to anyone experiencing difficulties due to lack of strength or dexterity. The fabric device has a strap that you can hook on a door handle or slide on your foot for easy removal. The metal device, though bulkier, is just as easy to use.
© Lymphedema Association of Québec. PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION PERMISSION: Reprinting is permitted for personal use only. Content may be distributed/shared only with written permission from the LAQ. Request authorization at aql@infolympho.ca
JANUARY 2024
WE HAVE READ FOR YOU “Rethinking New Year’s Resolutions: A Personal Journey towards Happiness and Sustainable Change” by Simone Schaefer In Simone Schaefer’s thought-provoking piece, “New Year’s Resolutions - out of fashion or can happiness be planned?”, the author delves into the perennial debate surrounding the relevance of New Year’s resolutions and explores a personal journey towards meaningful change and happiness. Schaefer reflects on the traditional practice of setting resolutions as a way to kickstart positive changes at the beginning of each year, acknowledging that opinions on the matter vary widely.” The article begins by highlighting the two contrasting perspectives on New Year’s resolutions. Some view the tradition as outdated and argue that goals can be pursued at any time, while others eagerly anticipate the new year as a fresh start, meticulously planning and organizing their resolutions for a perfect beginning. Schaefer acknowledges the fluctuating nature of her own attitude towards resolutions, emphasizing the evolving nature of life itself. The author observes that, like many, she has experienced the all-too-familiar pattern of losing motivation and abandoning resolutions as the year progresses. The initial enthusiasm wanes when faced with obstacles or setbacks, leading to frustration and a sense of failure. Schaefer candidly admits to having been part of the group whose motivation diminishes after Easter, abandoning fitness memberships and well-intentioned plans. The author also notes the financial toll of such failed resolutions.
However, a shift in perspective occurred for Schaefer when she started scrutinizing her goals and motivations. Recognizing the importance of setting realistic, enjoyable, and manageable goals, she moved away from unrealistic expectations that only added pressure. Instead of succumbing to trends or societal expectations, Schaefer advocates for individualized approaches that align with personal enjoyment and fulfillment. Schaefer shares a personal revelation about the significance of questioning the motivation behind New Year’s resolutions. She emphasizes the importance of understanding whether the goals are driven by personal desires or external influences. For the author, this introspective approach led to a reevaluation of her goals in the context of living with lipedema, prompting her to focus on smaller, more achievable objectives that contribute to her overall well-being. The article delves into Schaefer’s journey of optimizing self-management, particularly in dealing with the disease. This involved making conscious lifestyle choices, prioritizing self-care, and appreciating the significance of well-being. Schaefer advocates for understanding one’s body and needs intimately and embracing self-management as a crucial factor in overall health and happiness. Schaefer provides insights into her conscious approach to scheduling, ensuring dedicated time for self-therapies without compromise. Within the family context, she emphasizes the importance of creating space for individual needs and adopting
a mindful approach to nutrition. The author’s conscious, varied eating habits not only helped her maintain a healthy weight but also contributed to a more balanced and enjoyable lifestyle. In her New Year’s resolutions, Schaefer commits to building on the positive changes she has implemented in recent months. She emphasizes the possibility of planning happiness and maintaining resolutions with a sense of joy. By redirecting her investments towards activities and practices that bring genuine enjoyment, Schaefer envisions a transformative year where self-management and personal happiness take precedence. Simone Schaefer’s personal journey serves as an inspiring narrative, encouraging readers to rethink their approach to resolutions, prioritize self-management, and embrace happiness as an achievable goal. The article is a testament to the power of introspection, adaptability, and the pursuit of individualized paths to well-being. THE LAQ HIGHLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU READ THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE WRITTEN BY SIMONE SCHAEFER, A PATIENT LIVING WITH LIPEDEMA. To know more about lipedema, consult the ILA SITE.