Mummified and Microwaved

December 11, 2013

Wow...It's already December 11th and I cannot believe that 2013 is almost over. I'm going to have to come up with a new motto for 2014 soon. Last December I started coming up with an annual motto to live by for the entire year. Rather than making a New Year's resolution, which all I do is buck them and feel like a total failure, I try to live by a motto. It helps me to reach my goals and live outside my comfort zone and try new things. I'm going to have to think about this for a little while and get back to you on this.

In the meantime, I've had a few people questioning my testing experience in Detroit. The most common question is "How do they test you for a light allergy?" And really its not too bad. So, today I'm including some photos and an explanation. The best way for me to describe it is to be "mummified and microwaved." The testing takes about 3 hours and the worst and longest part is mummification. Now, I don't have any photos of this part but what they do is wrap and cover you head to toe so only your back is exposed you are wrapped and taped so only what they need exposed will receive light. On your back they put a thick fabric piece that has blocks cut out of it with little flaps that can be open and closed. They write on your back in marker also. They trace the boxes in black marker so when they take everything off they can see where you were exposed and read the reaction on your skin. This I have pictures of.

So after your all wrapped or "mummified" hey put you in a light box. the box is metal and about 4ftx4ft on the outside. On the inside it is lined with mirrors and tube lights bulbs, and inside it's about ftx3ft. Basically it looks like a 4 sided tanning bed. So you're standing  in the middle of this box, and they close the doors behind you. They turn on the box and it sounds exactly like a microwave running. There is even a timer that goes off when its done. The timer sounds exactly like a microwave going off, and while the machine is on it is very hot. YOU sweat a lot. So this is why I say you're "microwaved." For the UVB light there are 8 boxes on your back and for UVA light there are 4 boxes. So you are exposed a total of 12 times. Afterwards you are so deliriously happy to be unwrapped!

The test for visible light is so much better. You're still mummified  but you get to sit in a chair and there's no light box. Thank goodness! They test your arm for visible light instead of your back. They again have a fabric box pattern for you arm, but in this case they tape your arm to a table and shine light on it for a total of 1 hour, in 15 minute increments. Thank goodness they don't leave you alone and talk to you the
whole time.
Overall its not a horrible experience but I don't want to ever have to do it again. Especially the allergic reaction part. That was the scariest part. the rest of it was tolerable, and the doctor and nurses were awesome.

Overall I am learning so much, but it's slow going. I have a doctor appointment on Friday to discuss my options for further treatment. I'm nervous about my options. IN the meantime I'm having reactions daily to light in my house and its discouraging that I'm stuck in my bedroom on sunny days, but then I think it could be worse, and I count my blessings and try to shrug off the negative thoughts, and think of all the people who love me, and those I help by making them laugh with me. So for now, I will close and next time I will talk about what is working for me and what my motto for 2014 will be.