Your Scars are Beautiful
By: Martiné Emmons
(2 min read)
I was looking over some pictures the other day of certain areas of my body to see progress. Progress for me means the (very white) patches on my skin have not spread at all or (“Please God”) have decreased in size.
I was diagnosed with Vitiligo in June of this year. I knew there was a problem, and it started in the latter part of 2020. We were in the midst of COVID, and two of my rituals were to get outside for my morning walks and sit in the sun for 15 minutes of meditation.
One morning after taking a shower, I noticed small white patches on my hands. I immediately thought I must be spending too much time in the sun, or I am starting the aging process sooner than my mother. It freaked me out a little, but not much. I simply thought I better watch my time in the sun.
Soon after, patches started to appear on my upper chest. I asked my father-in-law what he thought as he is a pharmacist. He said it looked like Tinea Versicolor and recommended I shower with Selsun Blue. Tinea Versicolor is a body fungus … wait, what?! Not me. I am the cleanest, most germ-freaky person out there. No way. Gross.
Following his direction, I bought the Selsun Blue. It didn’t work and more patches started to appear. I was getting scared and went to my GP and he agreed with the diagnosis. He gave me a stronger shampoo and an oral medication that would supposedly speed up the recovery. Again, nothing. They told me it would take time, and by this point, it had been about a year.
A visit to the dermatologist gave me the same diagnosis. We tried other things, as it was starting to spread to other areas of my body including my face. I was really scared now and demanded we must do something else NOW before it overtakes me. She agreed to do a biopsy thinking it might be Vitiligo. The results came back. However, she wanted one more confirmation with a specialist and gave me a cream known to help. It made me itch so much that I had to stop.
After waiting six months to see the specialist, he confirmed that I indeed had Vitiligo.
It’s now been close to two years and what a journey. The journey reminds me when I was diagnosed with colon cancer almost eight years ago.
These situations can leave one powerless. I have waffled between depression and amazement realizing that my body had been trying to tell me something was wrong for a long time. Did my body have to resort to my “vanity” for me to listen?
My friends, I hope you are listening to your beautiful, amazing bodies. I have these patches, plus stretch marks and scars. I am choosing to look at all of them as my warrior marks. I HAVE been through a lot in my life, and I imagine you have, too. All of our marks, both internal and external, tell a story and give us an opportunity to grow and share our wisdom.
Treat yourself with love. Look into your eyes and tell “her” or (him) you are amazing, because you are. Our vessels have the answers for us if we listen.
Martiné Emmons
All Things Wellness, LLC
oceandamsel@gmail.com
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