I decided it's time. Time to tell the world.
For the past 7 months (beginning just before the wedding) I've had a trace of redness under my eyes. Not a big deal, right? At first, it was no problem... nothing a little makeup couldn't hide! The months raced by, and it seemed as if every calendar change equalled a new development of this "redness". The progression went a little something like this:
1) a slight discolouration under my right eye that would come and go.
2) a similar spot under my left eye.
3) patches at the back of my hair-line quite consistently
4) behind my ears, quite dramatically.
5) on one side of my neck, irritating, but not unbearable
6) all across my neck - extremely itchy
7) below my eyes, above my eyes, around my entire mouth, my temples, my hairline, my entire neck and down onto my shoulders.
There was a time (probably back in August) when it would flare up and disappear a few days later (all except a small patch under my eyes). That was when I first called the Dermatologist... my appointment? November 23rd. So, for all of August, September, October and most of November, the "reaction" worsened. Multiple doctor's visits, diagnosis (stress, ocular rosacea, hormone imbalance, food allergy, eczema, etc.) hydrocortisone creams, naturopath exams and a $312 allergy test all took place as I waited. After the allergy test (which was a week and a half ago) I considered cancelling the Dermatologist appointment. After all, the allergy test was expensive enough, and was SURELY going to give me the answers I'd been searching for!
...Thank goodness I changed my mind.
This past Saturday morning I woke up with my eyes almost swollen shut and my mouth looking like a sock monkey. I would classify it as the worst "allergic reaction" I've ever had.
So, after a four month wait, I headed to the Dermatologist on Monday - looking worse than ever (which, for once, was a good thing)! He looked at me and immediately said "this isn't good". (Shocking revelation, Doctor! thanks for your time!) With some closer examination, he diagnosed me with a "contact allergy"... which, once again, could really be anything. He gave me a prescription for a specialty face moisturizer and a non-hydrocortisone eczema cream which would, he warned, "feel stingy for awhile". Holy crap - it burned like I had rubbed cayenne peppers all over my eyes... while they were open.
So, I wait. I wait for this cream to work, I wait for the test results to come back, I wait for the day I can wear contact lenses again (my glasses strategically covered the redness below my eyes), I wait to wear makeup (eyeshadows, lipglosses, eyeliners, etc.), I wait for the confidence to show my face in public without wanting to run and hide in the nearest local washroom!
I'm going to attach a picture...sorry in advance. I know it's not the "loveliest" I've ever taken.
Inspite of the frustration and irritation of this "thing", God is really teaching me how very blessed I am. This isn't forever, it's temporary. This isn't life-threatening, it's just annoying. This isn't crippling, it's just itchy. I still have a face - rashy though it may be!
Anyways, if you think of it, pray for some answers. I would really appreciate it.
love and such.
Rashy McGee
