just some things

Went to the mailbox today, hoping somehow for something fun. Saw a letter addressed from Arroyo Grande Community hospital. I thought, "oh geez, i hope it's not another bill". what else would it be? a thank you note?

"Dear Mrs. Dale,

Thank you for paying in full for the strep throat testing you took months and months ago. You put if off for a bit, but we just wanted to say we appreciated your payment!"

Or:

Hey, we are a hospital! If you ever have an emergency or something, come see us!"

Of course it would be a bill.

I got my nose re-pierced several weeks ago. My old piercing had closed up almost all the way due to my lack of keeping a stud or ring in it. Silly jobs that make you take them out! It's your fault!

Anyway, Billy was kind of enough to let me splurge on the cost. I followed all of the normal cleaning instructions, as I of course was not interested in being the host of a nasal infection, ewl! But after about six weeks, a little bump begin to grow right on my nose, exactly on top of the newly pierced hole. It didn't hurt, and I was like, what, am I getting a zit, right specifically there? So I ignored it, for a few days, until it become tender and didn't seem as though it was a zit. I wanted to call my piercer, Jeremiah (who knows why I remember his name, maybe it was the funky afro he had that helped his name lodge in my memory?).

However, as I am working graveyard shift these days, I couldn't seem to remember about it until about 11pm at night, and of course they were closed. So, I called upon my trusty google to inform myself. Apparently, this is pretty common as I came across pages and pages, simply by searching "bump on my new nose piercing". I, of course was somewhat pleased that I wasn't the only one, but also a bit frightful. Would this be a lifelong nose piercing bump? Would I have to get some special sort of treatment to have it removed? How much longer would I need to refrain from telling everyone I came in contact with that appeared to notice this odd "bubble" that it was due to my piercing and I am sure it would go away soon? Or answer the question, "um, Did you always have that mole there?" . That one is kind of funny, "um, yes! I have always had it, and thought I would cutify said mole, with a piercing, so as to bring MORE attention to the my mole!".

Ok, so apparently, thru my research, this was either an allergic reaction to the annoying little nose "screw" bedazzled with a twinkly pretend diamond (i prefer a ring, but he suggested to start of with the screw till it had healed completely), or a keloid.

Keloid: A keloid is a type of scar with mainly type I and some type III collagen which results in an overgrowth of tissue at the site of a healed skin injury. Keloids are firm, rubbery lesions or shiny, fibrous nodules, and can vary from pink to flesh-colored or red to dark brown in color. A keloid scar is benign, non-contagious, and usually accompanied by severe itchiness, sharp pains, and changes in texture. In severe cases, it can affect movement of skin. They can occur at the site of a piercing and even from something as simple as a pimple or scratch.

sigh. Great! It has a name! Hello happy little shiny nodule named Keloid!

Now, that aside, interestingly enough:

Intentional keloids

The Olmec of Mexico in pre-Columbian times used keloid scarification as a means of decoration. In the modern era, women of the Nubia-Kush in Sudan are intentionally scarified with facial keloids as a means of decoration. The Nuer and Nuba use lip plugs, keloid tattoos along the forehead, keloid tattoos along the chin and above the lip, and cornrows. As a part of a ritual, the people of Papua, New Guinea cut their skin and insert clay or ash into the wounds so as to develop permanent bumps (known as keloids or weals). This painful ritual honors members of their tribe who are celebrated for their courage and endurance.

Maybe I'm just ahead of the game? Maybe keloids will be popular soon after the world sees mine, and realizes this is something that should be included on the list at local tattoo shops:

Lip
Hood
Labret
Madonna
Cheek
Keloid

But I digress, by a lot. So, I tried what my sources via google suggested...sea salts, in water as warm as you can stand, then applied to nose, two or three times a day for 20 minutes each time. To be honest, I really only did it once a day, because, well, because I just am that way. Every day I pondered my little nodule in the mirror. It is smaller? Sure, well at least a little, maybe just shaped differently now? Every time I asked Billy if he thought it looked smaller, he got real close, squinched up his eyes, and said, "sure, ya...i mean i think?"

Sigh. So, I finally made it back to the shop in SLO where I had gotten it done. As I walked in, I noticed my hips and thighs bubbling out from either side of me, in the mirrored window thingy. It was kind of like one of those mirrors, you know, like the mirrors at the fun houses. But not as bizarro...but then I realized as I got closer, that this was not a funny type of a mirror. My hips and thighs, simply do protrude that much. Ha! Of course I mentally added jogging, or at least walking, maybe even just starving a bit, to my "to do" list.

Once inside, I was greeted by an ink covered gentleman, with a huge septum piercing hanging from his nose, very much like a bull, with the little black ball slightly askew to the right. (i had an almost irresistible urge, to center the ball for him, but thought just because it was protruding so dramatically from his face, did not mean all whom he came in contact with, were allowed to touch it. Similar to pregnancy: Hello strangers! Just because I have a huge belly, possibly containing a baby elephant, does not constitute touches and belly rubs and such from you! Thanks!)

Anyway, he informed me as soon as he saw it that this was indeed very common, and a keloid. Just a drop or two of tea tree oil a day, and it would vanish. Hopefully. In a week or two. EWL! I was hoping he would have some miracle overnight treatment. Then the story went on. If that didn't work in two weeks, it was suggested that I create some sort of aspirin paste, and apply that nightly. For one to two weeks. I am under the assumption that if it STILL does not go away after all of this, that I should consult a doctor. Anyhow, I am on day three or something of tea tree oil, and the shape has definitely changed. However, I am not sure the size has. It is more of an oval now, than a circle. Is this an improvement? I honestly haven't a clue. But there is nothing like the strong scent of tea tree oil dripping directly into your nose! Whew!

ok, so ya. those are some things that have occurred lately, that seem humorous to me. Also, my husband is currently writing a song, about coffee beans, and the need for caffeine. It is sounding hilarious already, and I am excited about him mixing his insanely delightful humor, with his unique style of music.

kthanksbye