A Note from the Creator

My name is Janet Mullen (or Janet McCaffrey which would be my married name if I got around to changing it legally and not just on Facebook or jlou as I like to go by when trying to bring a little anonymity to myself out there in cyberspace).  I am now in my forties but because of what my body has gone through, age isn't a factor for me anymore.  I may as well be ninety.  A normal forty year old should not feel the way I do.  A normal forty year old should be able to work, take care of her family, hang out with friends and still be able to do the things she enjoys with a little time to spare.  A normal forty year old, no matter what I thought when I was young, is not old. 

Well, Dercum's and other chronic illnesses have a way of stealing your normal and what you are left with is the struggle on a day to day basis just to be able to have a smidgeon of that normality back.  That missing quality of life that normal people have and, regrettably, do not cherish as much as they should.

Above all else, including all the horrible pain and various symptoms my disorder brings, that is what frustrates me. That people do not understand that struggle. You normal people with your normal lives doing normal things.  Oh, how I envy you.

OK, enough of the pity party:

Lumpy Louise is how I decided to tell my story about life with Dercum's Disease.  Louise and I share a lot.  OK, if you know me at all, you know Louise and I are basically the same right down to our imperfections.  So, that is why it comes easy for me to draw and write for her.  Louise is giving me back some of that normality and that is why I love her so.

I grew up in a wonderfully quirky family and I come by sarcasm and humor honestly.  Yes, sometimes that humor is a bit dark but it is honest.  I hope that Louise can not only bring to light the struggles people have with Dercum's and chronic illness but a little laughter as well to both the sufferers and the normal people that love them.  As the old saying goes, laughter is the best medicine.

ENJOY!

 With Hugs (if you are not too hot, too tired or in too much pain for them),

jlou