These Unspoken Things: 5 Things to Smile About

Matt is home.

I finished grading finals for my sociology class.

We go on vacation in 5 days!

I have a surprise party for Jaiden tonight.

I turn 36 tomorrow :).

Donor Wall

Many Thanks to those that have supported us Financially or with Services Provided thus far. Love The Barbee Family

Lisa Hansen Hutchings

Granny Smith

Stacia Nunn

Brandon Utley

Bryan & Kristin Utley

Anja Maria Reimitz

Vickie Hansen

Terri Prestwich

Drex Utley

Colleen & Gerald Bybee

Becca Gilgert

Sarah Nielsen

Pricilla Dickinson

Amy Moss

Hilary & Brendan Smith

Amanda Bailey

Jeff Burnett

Cindy Joannessen

Rachel Bancroft

Jennifer & Joe Gold

Linda & Rex Utley

Alan and Lauri Orr

Jayme Phillips

Shanon Chester

Shiraz Grill

Elayna Alexandra

Stephanie George

Pat Albaugh

Aimee Jongejan

Shawn McCoy

Trinity Preschool

VanFleet Family

Farmington View Ward

Sariah Hernandez

Butch & Julie Hicks

Laura Wheeler Wilson

Jennifer Steed Jensen

Jamie Dalton Claypool

Mary Ann Anderson

Nancy Fletcher

Silent Auction Supporters:

Shanon Chester, Kristina Vatne, Becky Woods, Amy Moss, Polly Washburn, Aimee Jongejan, Stephanie George, Bliss Cupcakes, Oaks Park, Anthony Jongejan, Park Lanes, Atlas Tattoo, Tetherow Golf, Portland WinterHawks, Portland Children's Museum, Pronghorn Golf, Jennifer Rogers, Rachel Bancroft, Linda Utley, Kathy Tawzer, Becky Coffey, Jennifer Standen & Julie Hicks.

Zumba Supporters:

Cricket Roach, Katelyn Morin, Terri & Abbey Prestwich, Linda Read, Christina & Sierra Bliss, Amy Moss, Jennifer Gold, Shanon Chester & girls, Amanda Giles, Karen Barnes, Kristin Ballegeer, Mandy, Sharla Bledsoe, Toni Wygant, Monica Foster, Memory Bybee, Alisa Van Frank, Karen Johnson & Boom Fitness.

Valentines Day Raffle Supporters:

Peter Dickinson & Friend, Jayme Phillips, Rex Utley, Brooke Bernard, Pam Martin, The Marsh's, Melissa Barbee & Friends, The Halverson's, Shanon Chester, The Smith's, Officers from Tigard PD, Terri Prestwich, Atlas Tattoo, Oddball Tattoo, Bounty Hunter, Bryan Utley, Jamie Claypool, Laurie Bernier, Shawn McCoy, The Bailey's and Friend, Pam Milne, Tigard Fire Department, Wolfe Dental, WCCCA, Williamette Arms, The Finlay's, The Ballard's and Mary Edwards.

What is Lichen Sclerosus?

Lichen Sclerosus (LIE-kun skluh-ROW-sus) is a rare condition that produces patchy, white skin that's thin like tissue paper and tears easily. Lichen Sclerosus mainly involves skin of the vulva or skin around the anus (in my case, both). In the advanced stages, lichen sclerosus may lead to other complications such as skin cancer.

It is a sclerosus, meaning it is similar to MS. Rather than damaging the muscles, it damages the tissue.

Symptoms of LS:

Itching (pruritus), which can be severe and can feel like bugs crawling on the skin

Discomfort

Smooth white spots on the skin that may grow into blotchy, wrinkled patches

Tenderness of the affected areas of the skin

Easy bruising, tearing or fissures

In severe cases, bleeding, blistering or ulcerated lesions (that's me!)

Painful intercourse

The exact cause of lichen sclerosus isn't known. However, it may be from an auto-immune disease or lack of hormones. It isn't contagious and cannot spread through sexual intercourse. Lichen sclerosus occurs most often in postmenopausal women, but it also occurs in men and children. In children, the signs and symptoms may improve at puberty.

The uncomfortable itching and scarring that accompanies severe lichen sclerosus may narrow the vaginal opening and affect the ability or desire to have sexual intercourse. In some cases, the blistering may create extremely sensitive skin to the point that any pressure on the area is unbearable. The ability to urinate or have sex may require surgical intervention.

There is no cure.

-Mayo Clinic 2011

These Unspoken Things

Friday, June 8, 2012

5 Things to Smile About

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