Fake News Freak Out About My Cancer Hero

The headline popped up in my X (formerly Twitter) account. “Kathy Bates is dead” it said. I started to freak out, crying “NOOOOOO” loud enough for my husband to wander into my office and see what the matter was.

Kathy Bates has been my shero for years. As a cancer survivor and an advocate for lymphedema awareness, this talented actress has done what many could never do. Of course, I’ve always loved her movies, too, but she really grabbed my attention when she pushed for the Lymphedema Awareness Bill to be passed. It was an historic day and one many breast cancer survivors participated in.

About a month after surgery to remove my breast cancer and lymph nodes from both arms, I developed lymphedema, a painful condition that causes swelling in the body due to disrupted flow of lymphatic fluid. Mine is in my chest, under my arm pits and down both arms. It’s especially bothersome during the summer months. As the heat increases, so does my swelling.

Compression sleeves, dry brushing, and using an electric compression pump help to reduce the swelling, but it’s only a temporary fix. It comes back every day.

The headline stating that Ms. Bates was dead made my heart hurt when I first read it. I wondered how this long-term fighter had passed away. As I continued digging through more reputable sources than X, I found the information to be false. I was relieved to find out she was indeed still living, but even more surprised at how I’d initially reacted to the news.

Why did it bother me so that her death had been falsely reported? Was it because I needed her to still be alive and to be a voice for those of us who don’t have a platform like she does? I thought about it and realized I was angry because we’d both fought cancers, we both suffered from lymphedema and we both mattered. Yes, she was a famous, well-known actress and was able to cause people to listen and show respect when she spoke. I, on the other hand, was just your “average Jane,” trying to share information about breast cancer awareness and the unexpected, but often experienced side effect of lymphedema after breast cancer surgery.

We can’t always believe what we read. I know that to be true, but when I first read the headline, I believed it. I couldn’t imagine how someone could be so cruel to report such a lie, especially about someone I cared deeply about.

The same is true about many touted breast cancer or lymphedema treatments: they’re false. That’s why it’s so important to do your due diligence if you’re searching for alternative forms of therapy to help in your fight against cancer or lymphedema.

Please don’t believe everything you read. Ask questions and obtain facts, and never let a doctor tell you the possibility of you experiencing lymphedema doesn’t exist. Believe me, a 10-year survivor of breast cancer and lymphedema, it can happen to you!

Removing lymph nodes from your body is like removing rails from train tracks. The lymphatic fluid that normally flows through your body removing waste is disrupted and backs up. This back up causes swelling which can lead to pain and discomfort.

Lymphedema not only causes painful swelling, but it also causes a person to pay careful attention to limb injuries like cuts or burns. Those can lead to another dangerous condition called cellulitis.

If you notice a fluid buildup in your chest, upper arms, or armpits, let your doctor know so they can check for lymphedema. Normally, it’s a lifelong condition but there are things that can help.

Manual lymphatic drainage can help move the fluid along its normal route. There are trained therapists around the country.

Pay attention to your body, don’t pretend something doesn’t exist. Just like the purported news about Ms. Bate’s death, we must pay careful attention and refute what we know to be false.