The Weight We Carry: Navigating Life with Lymphoedema - Paperback

by Kiersten Michelle-Estes Wall (Author), Sydney Gay (Editor)

The Weight We Carry: Navigating Life with Lymphoedema is a powerful memoir detailing author Kiersten Wall's personal journey of physical, emotional, mental, and financial struggle after being diagnosed with the chronic, incurable disease of lymphoedema. The book's mission is to share the author's story to bring "joy, hope, and inspiration" to readers who feel isolated in their own struggles.

The narrative begins with the abrupt onset of the author's symptoms in January 2014, when she wakes up to find her right leg grossly swollen. This event, which she describes as instantly turning the "best years of my life" into the worst, becomes the inciting incident. As a Division III student-athlete, she initially seeks help from athletic trainers and spends five months mistakenly icing the swelling, which only worsens the condition.

The central conflict of the memoir is the author's grueling, six-month-long quest for a diagnosis, where she is shuffled between numerous specialists who are often unfamiliar with the condition. Finally, a vascular surgeon provides the devastating diagnosis of stage two lymphoedema in her right leg, an incurable condition that he warns will only worsen.

The memoir chronicles the author's subsequent years of battling the disease while navigating college. This includes completing intense Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) involving tedious bandaging, struggling with denial, anger, bargaining, and depression over the loss of her physical freedom, and being forced to end her softball career.

The climax occurs when the author reaches a critical turning point and chooses to change the narrative of her life, deciding to "go against the waves" rather than let the disease drown her. Her mindset shifts from "why is this happening to me" to "what can this teach me?". This newfound acceptance and determination lead her to establish an Instagram account (@8furlongs_of_lymph) to educate and connect with others, finding a supportive global community.

In the resolution, the author successfully completes her college degree, finding joy and stability through her strong support system, including her parents, friends, and ultimately, her husband, Trey, who is selfless in helping her manage her daily care. The book concludes with the author reflecting on her hard-won acceptance-the "Weight I Accept"-and her commitment to manage her disease and dedicate her life to providing encouragement and hope to others facing chronic illness