The article recounts a woman's journey struggling with her self-image due to her nose, which became deformed due to a bizarre autoimmune condition called vasculitis triggered by a dog accident. Despite her initial insecurities about her nose, she faced severe social stigma as it collapsed over five years, leading to isolation and anxiety. Her olfactory senses were drastically affected, impacting her emotional connection with family. Although she reached remission, the medical prognosis offered little hope for reconstructing her nose. The narrative centers on resilience and the significance of supportive relationships during difficult times.
"Once, I bumped into an old school friend who gasped and recoiled when she saw me. It was soul-destroying."
"I became scared to go out. Strangers would ask if my husband had attacked me, or if I was addicted to cocaine."
"The worst thing was not being able to smell my children and husband when they hugged me. It was something I didn't even realize I could miss."
"I was finally in remission, but doctors told me there was nothing that could be done to save my nose."
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