The news was all over the media: a means of fundraising for breast cancer research that was as simple, and useful, as the application of this special postage to outgoing mail.
I couldn't have said just when that was, but I do recall buying those special stamps, as well as those designed in subsequent years, for much of the love, and other, that I send via the post office.
In the little examination I was in for the follow-up visit, this was the only piece of art on the walls.
The postmark was dated July 29, 1998 -
exactly 23 years ago.
How different my world had been!
The office had called me on Tuesday, actually, jubilantly telling me the biopsy result: benign!
That was a great relief!
But the lab report had been greatly confusing.
It stated that my right breast had lichen ... and there I stopped.
I had plant life growing on my skin???
No, not at all.
The result indicated the presence of lichen simplex chronicus, so called because the malady results in the skin tissue having a lichen-like appearance.
It's the direct result of having a severe itching problem, with continued scratching causing the skin disorder.
But... I have not had itching, severe or otherwise!
The skin disorder is most often found on the sides of the neck, the scalp, ankles, vulva, pubis, scrotum, and extensor sides of the forearms.
But... that is not where mine is, it's on my breast!
What about the leakage issue that I have been experiencing for months?
Is that part of this skin disorder?
Well, no, it isn't, not at all.
So, how can it be that I'm diagnosed with a surface-layer skin disorder, one caused by too much scratching, when I've had no itching but have had leakage???
I don't know.
At this appointment, I asked those questions of the specialist, and she did not know.
As of this time, she told me, she can only diagnose based on the evidence as presented.
As my breast had ceased its leakage the first week of July, she had not been able to witness the leakage, only the resultant appearance of the areola and nipple.
As the biopsy she performed last week had been returned with the result indicating a skin disorder, then that, for now, if how the problem is to be treated.
She has prescribed a corticosteroid that I am to use for two weeks.
She also has asked that I consult with my dermatologist about the disorder.
I am so confused about this.
No doubt part of that confusion is due to the early hour of this appointment.
My brain is not truly active at 9 AM.
My brain is particularly not active at 9 AM when I have been awake since 5 AM, due to my concern that I would not awaken to my 7 AM alarm.
Sigh.
To bed I go, in hopes that clarity will accompany my next wakening.
1 comment:
Lichen simplex chronicus is also known as neurodermatitis circumscripta.
As per the link on medlineplus.org, it is NOT "a primary disease but rather the skin's response to chronic physical injury (trauma)."
So, the problem is that I may be scratching in my sleep and be unaware... but WHAT is causing the itch?
Good question.
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