Taped fingertips. From Martin Bashir's Living With Michael Jackson. Looks like Michael's middle fingertip is turning purple too.
Michael Jackson’s dermatologist, Arnie Klein, told Diane Sawyer he was the one who diagnosed Michael’s lupus. I did not see this interview but I hope to see the full interview soon — perhaps on YouTube. I heard the interview also covered his bad acne, red patches across his face — which happens if you are experiencing what is known as the butterfly rash — and more.
Klein said “it blew me away because here I’m diagnosing the most famous person in the world with a very serious ailment.” He also said something had to be done to Jackson’s skin after it started to be marked with “severe speckling.” Notably, Klein addressed the issue of plastic surgery stating “at the same time he was in the hands of plastic surgeons who didn’t know when to stop. But he felt he was a piece of art, that his face was a piece of art.”
In other news, I finally watched the Martin Bashir interview, Living With Michael Jackson, last night. I don’t know why I didn’t see the interview earlier — probably working — but since I saw the interview on YouTube I decided to watch all nine parts. It was interesting. I will admit some fascination with the end of the interview when I saw Michael tape his fingers. According to Bashir, Michael became tense when they got down to this part of the interview because he knew Bashir would ask him about the cosmetic surgery. You can see Michael is tense, perspiring and as Bashir states in the interview, Michael flew in his own lighting expert who apparently lit him to add color to his face.
As he prepares for the interview, Michael is seen tearing away at what looks like medical tape and begins taping three of the fingers on his right hand. It might have been the heat from the lighting or his nervousness but what became apparent to me was the discoloration of his fingers – as in no blood flowing sans the middle finger. Later in the interview, Micheal holds up his hand (photo above) and you can see the middle finger has now turned a bit purple on the end. Either the hot lights or nervousness caused him to experience some form of Raynaud’s phenomenon. His fingers first look pale and then (as in the above photo) looks purple or blue. During the interview, Michael is seen shaking and flexing the fingers on his right hand.
ABC Interview With Diane Sawyer and Dr. Arnie Klein
Doctor Addresses Jackson’s Drug Use
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Anel
9 months ago
I saw both interviews. I have systemic lupus erythematosus, which resulted in cytoxin infusions (chemotherapy) due to proliferation of the disease to the liver and damage to multiple organs. I am sorry; I do not see the purple blots on his hands. I had Reynard’s Syndrome on my tongue, skin, and terribly on the palms of my hands and feet. Lupus is extremely debilitating. I almost lost my life. As a scientist, if Jackson was diagnosed with the skin condition, I would have been interested in knowing, since Dr. Klein began treated Jackson after most of his plastic surgery, might his conditions have been drug-induced. I am also interested in knowing if most of his surgical procedures where conducted in the privacy of his home (a gross violation in medicine practices). However, this would explain the oxygen tanks in his home. I also ponder if an individual is in pain, or given medicine to prevent pain, or control him to be point that he thinks he needs drugs to function normally or be relieved; that he may as well have been a puppet on a string.
Ann
9 months ago
Thank you. Through the years, I have often wondered if Michael Jackson suffered Raynaud’s. I’ve seen several interviews and photographs where his fingers were obviously purple. My mother suffered the same – and so I was quick to recognize it in the first photo – and then saw it in later photos of him, as well. I applaud the man’s courage and thank him for a lifetime of making beautiful music and art. I think that this man suffered immensely while on Earth – but also did it with more dignity than any of us ever knew. With the understanding he had for the human condition and life’s suffering – whether born in him or developed – he had the sensitivity necessary to create the music that flowed from him. While so many lesser talented and jealous people sought to find any and everything wrong with him, he continued on with his quiet dignity. I only wonder how others – and especially the hawkish (and seemingly countless) media personalities – would stand up under the scrutiny they were so quick to use on Michael Jackson. How many of these media leeches are making a living simply because of their cowardly ability to criticize others and try to make sensational, money-making stories on the backs of those who have true talent and a work ethic to use their talent to make a memorable difference? Yes – Michael Jackson WAS different from us. That is what made him so unique and able to create the music and art he made. And the unique qualities were what we celebrated but as he did what WE wanted of him, that forced him to survive a life on the world’s stage 24 hours per day – 7 days per week. This man had to literally live in the shadows as a prisoner from the crushing throngs of fans. We wanted him to be different from us by having and using his talent – but we wanted him the same as us in every other way. The world’s so-called humanity wanted him to be normal but forced a lifestyle on him of being a prisoner having to hide from the world’s humans. It is quite understandable how even with a gentle nature, a person can only endure so much stress. The result of stress? Perhaps three autoimmune disease – lupus, vitiligo and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Perhaps the stress along with these debilitating diseases lead to an addiction to prescription drugs. Unless we have lived this man’s life though – how are we able to judge him? Could any of us survive the life this man survived?
His dignity under unimaginable stress and pain will stand as a lesson I hope to use in my life. I wish him peace and happiness in Heaven.
A.D. Odom
9 months ago
Funny, I’ve had lupus all of my life but it was never diagnosed. I had two heart attacks, pancreatitis, chronic tonsilitis, several lung disorders, suffered extreme fatigue, was always anemic, had bad acne (which may have been lupus lesions), chronic conjunctivitis, and so much more. It wasn’t until I was 47 (four years ago) that I was diagnosed with lupus nephritis. What the squadron of doctors looked for, while I was hospitalized, were lesions on my body and in my scalp. The first time I heard Raynauds is when one of the doctors raised my left hand and saw the red, swollen patch of skin on my fingertips. I told him sometimes my fingers turn purple and he immediately said Raynauds. What I thought was adult onset acne turned out to be lupus lesions on my face and the itchy patch that came and went on my right arm was also a skin condition related to discoid lupus.
When the doctor said “Raynauds” I realized all of those photos and interviews I saw of Michael (pre and post vitiligo) with purple fingers was Raynauds and my God, was it ever painful for me. Like Michael, I ended up taping three fingers on my left hand so I could touch things and type without screaming.
I’m like you Ann, the lesson his life with lupus has taught me is to get up every day and get on with it, through the pain. I am often tempted to take a fist full of pain meds but I know where that will lead me so I don’t. I am now on my second round of cytoxan (first time oral, this time IV) and I’ll probably end up with track marks in my arms too and a bald head (and I’m almost there with bald spots and peach fuzz in places). This is a rough disease, particularly now that I am like Michael, 50-years old. It ain’t cute.
Jess
9 months ago
First I want to state that I am not going to judge him for his surgeries. With everything he went through, I am amazed he accomplished so much. He was always a positive person. Looked at the world differently. He found joy in simple things like grocery shopping. Loved his fans. He didn’t just hug them, he embraced them. He treated strangers like he knew them. How many times did he trash another human being? Treated badly but always found forgiveness. His nativity and alittle too much honesty got him in trouble.
I would like to know exactly how many surgeries MJ had? From what I have been reading everywhere it was three. The first one was because of a broken nose. He couldn’t breath and reach the high vocals. The second nose job was because his skin had gotten more whiter, scars from the bullying by his daddy about his nose even after the first nose job and he wanted to match with the changes on skin. The chin surgery was because he was looking like a girl, so he added a clef.
I think he is one of the most misunderstood people. No one really understood him not even his doctors. I wish he had left a diary or video talking about himself. It is like there are two Michael Jacksons. The real MJ and the one the media created.
Anel
9 months ago
Please review this version. Thanks!
Although I am not into social networking or use the Internet often, I thank you for your comments, and this website for the heart-felt forum. You have affirmed similar experiences I underwent before being properly diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (SLE). Imagine, loosing one’s ability to walk or talk, or having to sit in the same place for 18 hours, not being able to sleep, and unable to process the thought that you need to get up and go pee. My brain could not even tell me how to put one leg in front of the other. I went completely bald from the disease and during chemo, the hair grew back.
I also met a gentleman a few years back, who shared with me that his wife passed away having seizures (from SLE) every two-three minutes in her final stages and she knew what was happening. She cried out for help but nothing could be done. The physicians were not allowed to sedate her or provide any pain meds that would interact with the brain. I am so sorry for anyone who had suffered from this devastating diseased, which is often misdiagnosed, and if not diagnosed early, the long-term effects can have an unfortunate impact on one’s self-esteem and outlook on life.
Like cancer, or many chronic diseases, even when planning to move forward in your life, sometimes the reality of having the disease makes one hesitate about dating or sharing the information if marriage or child-bearing issues become the topic of conversation. But the options are myriad, including having faith, good self-care and well-being, patient compliance, not mixing natural remedies with drug therapy (which can make things worse because the body start fighting against something else that is unfamilar and starts a three-way tug of war with itself); support systems (although they did not work for me – many people did not have my complications and could not relate), exercise, staying active, and even adoption (once cleared). God bless everyone and I pray that this disease get more attention, regardless of the number of people impacted by it from a population perspective!!!
Jess
9 months ago
Check this out. Martin Bashir confessed he lied in “Living with Michael Jackson”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bihNNuIhV0k
How this man still managed to believe in the goodness of people after all the betrayals and lies, I do not know.
Kathy
8 months ago
I would love to hear Diane Sawyer apologize for her ridicule of Michael Jackson in past interviews with him and Lisa Marie, and then Lisa Marie after the divorce. My respect for her as a journalist is non-existant after her unprofessional behavior. She attacked his appearance. Would she ever do that to any other person she was interviewing? Does she feel any remorse for her behavior now that she knows what he was suffering from? It is amazing that he could move the way he did on stage. And it’s no wonder he was addicted to pain killers.
I just hope now that the truth is out, people will realize what an amazing gift he was and what a tremendous legacy he leaves, especially his children.
Karen
4 months ago
I agree with Kathy. I think Diane Sawyer and Martin Bashir should be ashamed of their horrible, disrespectful, unprofessional behaviour. People should not judge unless they want to be judged themselves. Michael endured so much pain in his life, yet he had so much dignity and humility and no matter what, gave all he had onstage in his singing, dancing, and performing. He was AMAZING! No one could ever duplicate that, ever. I so miss Michael. All my best of wishes for his family and his beautiful children. I pray they have a great life, they had such a wonderful father. And the greatest entertainer that has ever lived. RIP Michael, you are in God’s beautiful care now.