random thoughts – Day 2,222 (Friday) – busy day

The visit with the dermatologist was today. It’s been an annual event since about 2017 when my primary physician saw scarring across my shoulders and put in a referral. Three or four years before that, a different doctor at a different healthcare office noticed the scarring and asked if I had acne as teen. When I said I did not, they called in the dermatologist at that practice, who looked at my shoulders, said, “yeah, I’ve never seen anything like that before” and left the room. And that was that. Cool, thanks. Very not helpful.

At the dermatologist.

The current dermatologist looked at my shoulders and recognized the situation immediately. Then she pulled up images on the laptop to show me while she explained it. It turned out to be lichen sclerosis, which is a delightful autoimmune disease where the skin attacks itself and turns to scar tissue. I have no idea when the scarring on my back began, but for years, I had noticed random, smooth white spots on my arms, especially after being in the sun, and thought of them as reverse freckles (if I thought of them at all). There weren't that many, and I don't spend time in the sun like I did when I was young and reckless, so they weren't obvious. 

Now, after sun exposure, my shoulders and upper back are a dotted, mottled pattern of white scar tissue and light suntan, which I know, because now I check (or other people comment on it). Off the shoulder and low-cut back styles, which I used to like, are out for me now (self conscious, or vain?). Thanks, random autoimmune disease.

After the dermatologist visit (everything is fine, see you next year), I explored thrift shops. An Internet search of “thrift shops near me” done in the medical office parking lot sent me a couple miles down the street to a shop in a church basement. They had a lot of clothing set aside and under wraps for a fashion show tonight. The shop was small and tiny and mostly overpriced. I could buy similar items brand new for the same prices or less. 

Before leaving that parking lot, I did another Internet query. A couple miles away in another direction there was a consignment shop with beautiful displays and reasonable prices, but nothing I wanted. I was on a mission for dance costume components and things that are inexpensive enough that when I cut them apart, I won’t feel bad. 

Outside the nicest thrift store.

The next parking lot query led me to another church shop. This one had multiple rooms and hallways organized by logical categories – books, toys, housewares, craft items, cookware, dishes and glassware, and clothing – and true thrift store pricing in a boutique environment. It was possibly the nicest thrift store I’ve ever seen. The selection was great, but not what I needed.

Heading back home, I peeled off at the Fitchburg/Leominster exit for gas at my favorite station which happens to be near Salvation Army Family Store (coincidence?). It had been months since I shopped there and things have changed. There was still the annoying, perpetually flickering light, but the store felt cleaner and neater. There was a beautifully arranged spring clothing display on a wall. A rack of wedding gowns along a wall was stunning. The clothing racks were a bit overstuffed, but everything was hung nicely. Here, I found some of the items I needed for dance costumes for the June show at reasonable prices, plus a silk shawl for 99-cents (yes, please!). Nice score, thank you very much.