I have a problem, a tiny sore. A small sore should not be a problem except for one thing. It is on the tip of my nose. I suppose I should not be so vain that a small imperfection bothers me as much as it does. I feel like Rudolph with a red nose flashing on and off.

I cannot go anywhere with this huge ugly sore on my nose. I make excuses to stay home. I’m not feeling well. My stomach is upset. I didn’t get any sleep last night. I hate it! I feel like a soul trapped in a body that refuses to cooperate.

Is this my future? Is this the fate of old people? Your mind still functions, but your body quits. Gradually you fade little by little. Can it start with a tiny sore on your nose that reoccurs and refuses to heal?

It seems to appear out of nowhere. Gradually, it heals. It seems to take a week or two. I try to rush the process with antibiotic salve, but that only softens it and makes it worse. I try to make it heal faster with alcohol to dry it. Peroxide seems to work best. I’m not really sure, but it probably would go away just as soon with nothing at all.

I’ve tried hiding it with makeup. That doesn’t really work. I am reminded of old witches with warts on their nose. Besides this, the makeup aggravates the healing and makes it take longer. I can’t use face cream or wash my face as it makes the healing take longer. It is really difficult to take a shower and wash your hair without getting your big red nose wet.

I should make any appointment with the dermatologist and see if he can give me something to cure it. What if it is skin cancer? But the lesion only stays for a short time and then heals. If it is cancer, it would not heal, would it? Will he think I am silly worrying about such a tiny problem? Or, worse, will he take a skin sample? Will I be left with a huge sore nose to deal with? Will he cut my nose off?

Right now, it is healed. Maybe it will not come back this time. I can go to church this week, but I cannot wear makeup. That’s a deal. Please God, keep the sore away and I will go to church Sunday. I doubt that God makes deals, especially over something so foolish.

Every morning when I wake up, I look in the mirror to be sure it is still gone. Maybe I should wear a nose cover to protect it. Is there such a thing? Maybe I can wear a face mask. I can pretend I have a cold. However, no one is wearing face masks these days since the pandemic is over.

I am the queen of small ailments: pimples, warts, moles, sties, fever blisters, athlete’s foot and toenail fungus. You name it and I have had it. My self-esteem is having a nervous breakdown. I am out of ideas. The only thing left is to join a circus where clowns with red noses are the norm.

Copyright 2026 Sheila Moss