A few of you may remember me mentioning something about having psoriasis a few years back. In case you don’t, here’s a brief summary: I have psoriasis, but due to some misguided twist of fate, I find myself being in remission for the better part of the past three years.
To put things in perspective; in the world of psoriasis, a year of remission is a lifetime of awesome. Heck, a day of not having to deal with all the shit psoriasis brings is already heaven.
So yeah, three years of having relatively clear skin is a lot. And it could not have happened to a less deserving person than me. I’ll tell you why.
The minute my skin showed signs of clearing up, I began shying away from my support group and stopped being active despite being one of the first people to join. There were several reasons for this, all of them petty. Not the least of which was the simple fact that I didn’t want to be reminded of the torture that was psoriasis.
So three years passed with them not hearing a word from me. And the only reminder I have of ever having the disease is the pain in my right ankle that never goes away. During that time, their community grew, reached out to more people who needed help, and became a family.
Then I saw this TV episode which featured them and I realized just how much I missed out on by being a douche:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zx__wykY1ds]
I was quickly reminded how it was to attend meetings, and instantly feel a connection with complete strangers just because all of you are going through the same thing. We knew the same doctors, the same medicines, the same treatments, etc.
So with my wife’s encouragement, I attended a Psorphil meeting tonight just to touch base with them again. As expected, I had a warm “welcome back” from those who remembered me from the old days. I caught up with old friends and met a lot of new ones. When I was still an active member, a normal gathering would usually consist of about 5 to 10 of people. Now, I’m told that there are like 300 active members in our community. Holy Crap.
There was still a bit of uneasiness on my part because seeing them reminded me of the cold hard fact that there is no cure for psoriasis. Once you have it, you have it for life. And being faced with the possibility that I may once again wake up with blood on my bed terrifies me to no end.
However, I did realize one thing that I had forgotten during my time spent in hiding from the disease: That these people will always be there. That I would not be alone if and when I have to deal with all this shit again. And that they will understand.
That kinda makes it easier.
I’m kinda ignorant, so educate me: how do you get psoriasis? Is it genetic or something?
And glad you went back to your support group.
@Ade: Nobody really knows for sure how people get psoriasis. They used to think it’s genetic, but recent studies have shown it not to be the case.
But one thing’s for sure. It can not be transmitted. Not through physical contact, not through the air, not through anything. So you guys have nothing to fear from us.
That is until our plan for world domination is finally executed.
Thank you so much Pau. It was really nice seeing you again tonight. Please extend my thanks to Rach. I hope she becomes active in our support group too. Also, give my regards to your mom-Lorna and the rest of your family. We miss all of you.
Welcome back Pau! happy to have met you and your wife… it’s really a great inspiration to see everybody and know that our online family continue to grow.. we are here for each other.. we have to keep the flame glowing and going.. we need you and everybody else to make our dreams a realization.
Regards to Rach!
Awesome piece dude!!! As a Psor patient, the feeling is mutual.
@ Josef & @ Carol : Thanks for welcoming me back. It was really awesome being a part of something special again. Don’t worry, Rach will always be there, reminding me to attend our meetings.
@Josh: Thanks! Were you there tonight? I don’t think I saw you there. Anyway, I plan on getting to know each and every one of you soon.
Hi Pau, Josef told us about your post here. It was nice meeting you at Amici. I’m glad you are in remission and I hope you wouldn’t have to endure even another day of psoriasis again! We’re kinda opposites in the way that I want to hide from everyone including any support group when I have erythrodermic attacks and very active when I’m having clear skin (or even with a few lesions here and there). You’re right in saying that Psorphil will always be there.. clear skin or not. Hope to see you and Rache again soon. Give my regards to her. Thanks for being an “orig” member of Psorphil! Go pioneers! Hehe. =)
Yup, I was the one who arrived late and seated beside Carol.
Honestly, the thought “holy shit is psoriasis contagious?” never crossed my mind. Was too busy thinking how painful that must be.
It’s nice to finally meet you. I’m glad that you joined us today. You are one of the living testimonies that one can be psoriasis-free even if you are diagnosed with the disease. Hope that you continue attending our EBs again and serve as an inspiration to others. Welcome back Pau and hope to see you soon. Keep it up!
@Maf We both should learn never to shy away from Psorphil.
@Pong Expect to see more of me in the coming events.
@Josh Ah. I didn’t get to meet you then. No matter, bawi na lang next time.
@Ade You’re swell.
Again, it was nice meeting all of you.
Good for you, brotha!
So, the number of members dramatically increased when you left, huh? Interesting.
Baddie: Thanks! Also, panget!
Hi Pau, sorry I missed seeing you and your wife last night… I didn’t have a chance to attend… hope to see you next EB.
PsorPhil will always be here for everyone.
hi pau welcome back to psorphil . . . i missed the EB last night (daughter is sick, we’ll she’s fine now) . . . So glad to know that your interest with the group is alive again. I know you’ll be an inspiration to others. Take care!!!
Hi Pau. I guessed it right that you were Pau when I spotted you at last night’s gathering. We never had the chance to meet then, but I know that that would be sooner. Although im relatively new in this support group, the feeling of belongingness instantly hit me the first time. We hope to see more of you in the future.
Remember Marla Singer in Fight Club? You’re a tourist now!
Seriously, man, isn’t it so great to set yourself free from the pains o f a medical condition you’ve suffered for so long? Good luck on that road you’ve taken out of psoriasis. There’s nothing really certain in life, but hope that it goes away for good. So you can concentrate on the onslaught of arthritis! Ok, I kid, SRY.
Uncool blogger kid was here. So how sucky is an iPau, mm?
@Winnie No matter. Kilala naman kita because of your Multiply.
@Mylou Salamat. & Happy Birthday!
@Lai Oh hey. I remember you nga from last night. But we weren’t introduced. But I’m confident I’ll get to know all of you better.
@CM More like a psoriatist! Thanks for the kind words. And the iPau has High School Musical songs. So make of that what you will.
I see the iPau is either gay or pedocentric (ooh I coined the word!). But since the CM Playlist may show the same selection of music as the uber jologs iPau, can you see if you might like 2 songs from Ambulance LTD?