I'm not feeling my best today. A family member thinks I am suffering from depression. Which she is probably right, but I am afraid of going to see a doctor or counseler even though I know it's a good idea because there are a few things I really don't want them to tell me to do. And the truth is, I really need to focus on me and only me for a few weeks. Not that I am going to forget my family, but my needs have to come first. I have to realized that I am not just a mother and a wife... I am me too. I have things that I love and aspire to do!
Reading the posts of those blogs I am following, I came across this from fellow blogger Rollerwriter ... I hope it's okay to repost because it's SO DAMN INSPIRATIONAL.
And starting Nov 1, I am going to attempt to do the eight things she lists here.
Next week I will be back to my regularly scheduled thoughts on a topic.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Passing it on ...
WARNING: Before you follow any links, keep the tissues handy.
Sorry, this post is late as I am on vacation. I had two topics to pick from that I wanted to blog about this week, nothing of particular note, but some observations I've had over the past few months. But then today, while reading a magazine, I revisited Josie King, a toddler who died from a medical error at Johns Hopkins University in 2001 and the ensuing crusade by her mother to prevent it happening again to other families. The story was recently relayed at our hospital, and while I am not involved in direct patient care, being a mother of a small child the story really touched my heart.
Josie was 18 months old… In January of 2001 Josie was admitted to Johns Hopkins after suffering first and second degree burns from climbing into a hot bath. She healed well and within weeks was scheduled for release. Two days before she was to return home she died of severe dehydration and misused narcotics…
Sorrel King, Josie's Mother, relays the rest of the story here.
And the main Josie King Foundation Website is here.
Why do I bring this up? Because thousands of people die from medical errors every year. The Foundation provides information to help prevent it from happening to you or one of your family members and I have always believed knowledge is the best weapon.
Have a safe and healthy week. And get your H1N1 flu shot. :)
Sorry, this post is late as I am on vacation. I had two topics to pick from that I wanted to blog about this week, nothing of particular note, but some observations I've had over the past few months. But then today, while reading a magazine, I revisited Josie King, a toddler who died from a medical error at Johns Hopkins University in 2001 and the ensuing crusade by her mother to prevent it happening again to other families. The story was recently relayed at our hospital, and while I am not involved in direct patient care, being a mother of a small child the story really touched my heart.
Josie was 18 months old… In January of 2001 Josie was admitted to Johns Hopkins after suffering first and second degree burns from climbing into a hot bath. She healed well and within weeks was scheduled for release. Two days before she was to return home she died of severe dehydration and misused narcotics…
Sorrel King, Josie's Mother, relays the rest of the story here.
And the main Josie King Foundation Website is here.
Why do I bring this up? Because thousands of people die from medical errors every year. The Foundation provides information to help prevent it from happening to you or one of your family members and I have always believed knowledge is the best weapon.
Have a safe and healthy week. And get your H1N1 flu shot. :)
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Touching Lives
I finish one post and have usually decided on what I want to write for the next week. I start the week pondering how I want to write said post and then over the course of the next few days change my mind on what I want to write about due to the experiences I have. That is where I get this week's topic ...
I had a horrible week, so much happened beyond my control, some of it trivial and some of it that will leave a lasting impression on me for the rest of my life. No one died, thankfully. Midway through all this chaos, I was 'touched by an Angel'. And no, I'm not talking about the corny tv show type angel, but a stranger who noticed something I had posted on my profile on another website I belong to about my financial state and thought to send me a HUGE box of craft goodies just so I could have a 'fun box to open'. While what I wrote on my other profile and the reason I was the sent the box of goodies weren't related directly to my chaotic week, it still came at the most opportune time.
And it got me thinking about other things I have received that have touched me.
One particular person that comes to mind with regards to giving was an old boss of mine. He was both very needy and very generous. When he was in the office, he couldn't do anything for himself. He had the most kind personal assistant who was so patient with his neediness because he seemed not to be able to do anything for himself. But when he went away on business trips, he would always come back with presents for all of us in the office. And it amazed me how much he paid attention to our likes and dislikes because I never received anything that wasn't directly related to something I was obcessed about at the time. Most of what he gave me I no longer have, but I have kept a few small mementos and trinkets to remind me of his generosity.
Another friend of mine LOVES to write letters. I have so many letters from her that I refuse to throw away because each one is so special. When she sends those letters, she usually includes cute Kawaii paper and stickers and just other little presents that fit in the envelope. So you're always getting more than just a letter.
My best friend since High School is constantly on the look out for things I would like... not because I ask her to, it's simply because that is who she is. She only lives a few hours away from me but we rarely get to see one another, so we send emails mostly, but we also send boxes once a month filled with little goodies and things. Over the years, I haven't been able to keep 100% of what she's given to me due to space restrictions and moving, but even sitting here in my kitchen, I look around and see a dozen things that were sent from her.
I have a few bits and pieces from old boyfriends and many things from my first wedding that hold sentimental value even though my first husband and I are no longer together. I don't have much left from high school, most of it discarded or lost in moves. If I look deep enough into my memento boxes, I can still find things from college, so many years ago now.
But what happens when things go awry and a relationship ends, be it a close friend or a significant other? I guess I'm one of those people who likes to hold on to happy memories. I'm not the type to trash or burn everything from a former friend or SO simply because they are out of my life. I'll look at old cinema stubs of films I went to see with the person, smile, and remember. When I see a gift they gave me, I remember why and when. I don't want to get rid of those memories. Good memories are what they are, good.
I have a couple boxes of scraps, an old one and a new one. Things I've saved over the years of special or significant events in my life. I plan to put those, along with old photos in a scrapbook or three, along with journaling and embellishing. To someone who doesn't understand what they are, they are just a box of junk. To me, they are memories and I'd like someday for my children and grandchildren to be able to share in my memories, whether I am alive or not.
I had a horrible week, so much happened beyond my control, some of it trivial and some of it that will leave a lasting impression on me for the rest of my life. No one died, thankfully. Midway through all this chaos, I was 'touched by an Angel'. And no, I'm not talking about the corny tv show type angel, but a stranger who noticed something I had posted on my profile on another website I belong to about my financial state and thought to send me a HUGE box of craft goodies just so I could have a 'fun box to open'. While what I wrote on my other profile and the reason I was the sent the box of goodies weren't related directly to my chaotic week, it still came at the most opportune time.
And it got me thinking about other things I have received that have touched me.
One particular person that comes to mind with regards to giving was an old boss of mine. He was both very needy and very generous. When he was in the office, he couldn't do anything for himself. He had the most kind personal assistant who was so patient with his neediness because he seemed not to be able to do anything for himself. But when he went away on business trips, he would always come back with presents for all of us in the office. And it amazed me how much he paid attention to our likes and dislikes because I never received anything that wasn't directly related to something I was obcessed about at the time. Most of what he gave me I no longer have, but I have kept a few small mementos and trinkets to remind me of his generosity.
Another friend of mine LOVES to write letters. I have so many letters from her that I refuse to throw away because each one is so special. When she sends those letters, she usually includes cute Kawaii paper and stickers and just other little presents that fit in the envelope. So you're always getting more than just a letter.
My best friend since High School is constantly on the look out for things I would like... not because I ask her to, it's simply because that is who she is. She only lives a few hours away from me but we rarely get to see one another, so we send emails mostly, but we also send boxes once a month filled with little goodies and things. Over the years, I haven't been able to keep 100% of what she's given to me due to space restrictions and moving, but even sitting here in my kitchen, I look around and see a dozen things that were sent from her.
I have a few bits and pieces from old boyfriends and many things from my first wedding that hold sentimental value even though my first husband and I are no longer together. I don't have much left from high school, most of it discarded or lost in moves. If I look deep enough into my memento boxes, I can still find things from college, so many years ago now.
But what happens when things go awry and a relationship ends, be it a close friend or a significant other? I guess I'm one of those people who likes to hold on to happy memories. I'm not the type to trash or burn everything from a former friend or SO simply because they are out of my life. I'll look at old cinema stubs of films I went to see with the person, smile, and remember. When I see a gift they gave me, I remember why and when. I don't want to get rid of those memories. Good memories are what they are, good.
I have a couple boxes of scraps, an old one and a new one. Things I've saved over the years of special or significant events in my life. I plan to put those, along with old photos in a scrapbook or three, along with journaling and embellishing. To someone who doesn't understand what they are, they are just a box of junk. To me, they are memories and I'd like someday for my children and grandchildren to be able to share in my memories, whether I am alive or not.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Preparing for the Flu Season and H1N1
So I was watching the weather channel today and found out that the first round of H1N1 vaccines were released today. I felt this was the perfect topic to write about and something I have been thinking about quite a bit. Mainly because it is an interesting internal debate on whether to do it or not.
First of all, let me say that I am fully immunized (boosters included), it is a requirement of my profession. So is my husband, and our child, who is two, is also fully immunized. It was a choice we made. I fully support immunization. It is the reason some deadly or crippling childhood illnesses were wiped out. I do not buy into the fact that immunization causes Autism. There is no concrete proof that it does. I want to protect myself and my family and that is my choice. But I do not make the choices for other people who are not in my family. It's up to you how you protect yourself and your family.
Okay... now in saying all of that, last year was the first year I ever received the flu vaccine. I've had it available to me for a long time as an option, but last year was the first year I worked in Health Care and it was there, free for all employees and there was push from the organization for everyone to be immunized. I saw no reason not to go ahead and do it. My child had it available at one of her Well Baby checks and I approved for it to be given. Neither one of us had an adverse reaction to it and neither one of us have been sick with anything other than a sniffle and a cough all year. So clearly, at least in my case, it did what it was supposed to.
So now we're coming up to the Flu season again and once more the vaccine will be available to the employees. Because I work in a 'High Risk' unit, I will do it. Because I have a child, I will do it. Because I can't afford sick days off, I will do it. I'm not sure about the rest of my family. My husband works in a different sort of health care environment and at the moment, may not require it like I do. For my child, I'm not sure if it's worth the money for a clinic visit just to get a flu shot. There is always the option of the County Health Department if I do decide to go that way.
And I'm only talking about the seasonal Flu shot here. H1N1 is a whole different story.
There is a lot of controversy surrounding the H1N1 vaccine. I'm most concerned about the fact that it's being mass produced and may not necessarily be fully safe yet. However, on the other hand, I work in health care in a High Risk unit where it's important that staff are not sick and let it be known here, that in our H1N1 information pack we give out at the hospital, you can be contagious 1 to 2 days BEFORE you exhibit symptoms. It only takes one person to rub against you or cough or sneeze or not wash their hands properly before infecting God knows how many people around them. So truly, if they offer it to employees, there is no question in my mind for me.
Then there is my child... there is the safety concern on one side of the coin and on the other side the fact that children do not have good infection control habits. We have been trying to teach our child to cover her mouth when she sneezes and coughs and learning about handwashing and such, but at this point in time, she is so young and doesn't understand the exact importance of it. She does one day in day care per week for socialization and learning with other kids and I really don't need her to get it. I can't rely on other parents to not take their kids to day care if they might be sick. I can only do my best as my daughter's parent. Again, I'll re-iterate... it only takes one child...
For my husband, he has Asthma, well controlled, but H1N1 affects the respiratory system, which I believe is a very good reason to get immunized against this. From what I have read, this virus attacks everyone differently, and those with pre-existing health problems tend to suffer the worst, asthma sufferers again in the high risk group.
So perhaps I'll wait on my child, until the first round is over and go ahead and get myself and my husband immunized. We will of course, continue practicing good infection control at home and at work, which includes but not limited to, anti-bacterial handsoaps and sanitizers (I have a long term love with Bath and Body Works Anti-bacterial products), anti-bacterial bathroom and kitchen cleaners, and anti-bacterial dish soap and hope we do not have to worry about this interesting controversial pandemic.
Please note, this is all my opinion based on the reading I have done and the Health Care setting I work in... if your opinion and information differs from mine, that is okay, but don't attack me for it. Thank you.
First of all, let me say that I am fully immunized (boosters included), it is a requirement of my profession. So is my husband, and our child, who is two, is also fully immunized. It was a choice we made. I fully support immunization. It is the reason some deadly or crippling childhood illnesses were wiped out. I do not buy into the fact that immunization causes Autism. There is no concrete proof that it does. I want to protect myself and my family and that is my choice. But I do not make the choices for other people who are not in my family. It's up to you how you protect yourself and your family.
Okay... now in saying all of that, last year was the first year I ever received the flu vaccine. I've had it available to me for a long time as an option, but last year was the first year I worked in Health Care and it was there, free for all employees and there was push from the organization for everyone to be immunized. I saw no reason not to go ahead and do it. My child had it available at one of her Well Baby checks and I approved for it to be given. Neither one of us had an adverse reaction to it and neither one of us have been sick with anything other than a sniffle and a cough all year. So clearly, at least in my case, it did what it was supposed to.
So now we're coming up to the Flu season again and once more the vaccine will be available to the employees. Because I work in a 'High Risk' unit, I will do it. Because I have a child, I will do it. Because I can't afford sick days off, I will do it. I'm not sure about the rest of my family. My husband works in a different sort of health care environment and at the moment, may not require it like I do. For my child, I'm not sure if it's worth the money for a clinic visit just to get a flu shot. There is always the option of the County Health Department if I do decide to go that way.
And I'm only talking about the seasonal Flu shot here. H1N1 is a whole different story.
There is a lot of controversy surrounding the H1N1 vaccine. I'm most concerned about the fact that it's being mass produced and may not necessarily be fully safe yet. However, on the other hand, I work in health care in a High Risk unit where it's important that staff are not sick and let it be known here, that in our H1N1 information pack we give out at the hospital, you can be contagious 1 to 2 days BEFORE you exhibit symptoms. It only takes one person to rub against you or cough or sneeze or not wash their hands properly before infecting God knows how many people around them. So truly, if they offer it to employees, there is no question in my mind for me.
Then there is my child... there is the safety concern on one side of the coin and on the other side the fact that children do not have good infection control habits. We have been trying to teach our child to cover her mouth when she sneezes and coughs and learning about handwashing and such, but at this point in time, she is so young and doesn't understand the exact importance of it. She does one day in day care per week for socialization and learning with other kids and I really don't need her to get it. I can't rely on other parents to not take their kids to day care if they might be sick. I can only do my best as my daughter's parent. Again, I'll re-iterate... it only takes one child...
For my husband, he has Asthma, well controlled, but H1N1 affects the respiratory system, which I believe is a very good reason to get immunized against this. From what I have read, this virus attacks everyone differently, and those with pre-existing health problems tend to suffer the worst, asthma sufferers again in the high risk group.
So perhaps I'll wait on my child, until the first round is over and go ahead and get myself and my husband immunized. We will of course, continue practicing good infection control at home and at work, which includes but not limited to, anti-bacterial handsoaps and sanitizers (I have a long term love with Bath and Body Works Anti-bacterial products), anti-bacterial bathroom and kitchen cleaners, and anti-bacterial dish soap and hope we do not have to worry about this interesting controversial pandemic.
Please note, this is all my opinion based on the reading I have done and the Health Care setting I work in... if your opinion and information differs from mine, that is okay, but don't attack me for it. Thank you.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Season Endings
I thought about many topics in which to write about this week and most of them I'll get to eventually with this blog, but one came to the fore front of my mind when an Autumn storm blew in. It is the end of the growing season.
I left work last night around 11 pm and stepped outside to a chill wind, not something I yet expected, nor was really prepared for. I had a fleece jacket in the car and wore a long sleeve t-shirt dispite not having needed it earlier in the day when I arrived to work. Perhaps deep down I knew what to expect, but I truly want to hang onto the Warm weather as long as I can, and it may yet still get warm once or twice before the Winter chill really hits. Spring and Summer are my favorite seasons and I am sad to see them go. It is now time to batten down the hatches, so to speak and prepare for another long winter.
Other signs of the approach of the cooler weather are around my family's farm, the surrounding area, and my home.
Hay is cut and either baled or bagged up to four times through out the summer. The last cutting happened about four weeks ago. Once the last cut is baled, then the manure pile that has been growing throughout the spring and summer from the Cattle yard cleaning is spread throughout the fields (our version of fertilizer) in preparation for Spring planting for the next year. The huge bag of hay cutting sits next to the yard, the bales are put up into the hay loft for square bales or hay barn for the round ones so the cattle have food throughout the winter.
Once the hay is in, it's time for the Field Corn. Most of the rows are chopped and bagged for corn silage, which then ferments and has a very distinct smell. The cattle eat a lot of this during the winter. The last few rows will be done when the weather breaks, hopefully this weekend. A few corn acres will also be picked in mid-november. The shucked ears will go in the corn crib for grinding if necessary. Us kids fill buckets with it and give it to the donkeys, chickens, and cows for treats. Once the corn is picked, the stalks are then baled and used as bedding for the donkeys, who live in the barn over the winter.
What I love most about this is that it is a cycle. The manure is used as fertilizer grows the food that the cattle will eat which starts the process all over again.
We picked the remaining Sweet corn the other week and froze about ten bags of it. Green beans were done about three weeks ago with small and large jars stacked in the cupboards. The tomatos and peppers are in now and we have already canned a dozen jars of spaghetti sauce. With the remaining tomatos, we hope to make some pizza sauce. The pumpkins still have a couple of weeks to go, white pumpkins. I could not find any butternuts, which are my favorites, so I'll have to buy those, but I see the local markets have stacks and stacks of them, so they won't be expensive. My herbs and spring onions are gone and used, the last of the flat parsley went into the spaghetti sauce. There are few white onions left, but they won't last long.
Once the first snow, the two Donkey's will be moved inside the barn, as well as the Cats and the chicken house will be closed up and insulated. They don't lay as much in the Winter, but they weather it well provided care is taken. The Jenny Donkey is pregnant and due in early Spring. The calves will be weaned sometime in October, and then sold in November. The mom's are already pregnant with new calves due in April and they will have thick Winter coats to help them weather the cold.
The farmlands around us are much the same with corn, hay, and soybeans coming in and being harvested. The woodlands I drive through on my way to work were green last week and this week are yellow, the splashes of orange and red. Within two weeks, there will be no green left and soon the leaves will be falling leaving the trees skeletal to wait for the first of the fallen snow to coat the branches.
Finally, in our tiny little apartment, the windows are being sealed and locked, the fans that keep us cool on the milder nights when the air conditioning would be too much are being put away. Warm winter pyjama, jeans, long sleeved shirts are now taking the place of billowy skirts, tank tops, and shorts. The little one has a new snow suit, gloves, and hat. New snow boots are not far off. Our warm winter gear, stowed away at the end of last season is now making it's way out. And then there is our gas bill, a easy $10 a month throughout the summer, is now looking to triple with the use of the heat, but the electricity will go down to compensate as we will no longer be using the air conditioner.
Personally, I am busy saving my pennies. I want to buy materials before Winter really sets in to make some projects to sell at next Autumn's local market. I find the Winter a perfect time to curl up with a good movie and a craft project.
I am NOT looking forward to the treacherous commute to and from work on icy highways, and scraping the ice off my car at 9 at night before work, and bundling my poor child off to babysitters when she'd rather be curled up in bed sleeping. They are the number one reasons I dislike the cold so much much.
But the warmth of my house and the memories of spring through the food I'll consume this Winter will keep my thoughts focused on the Upcoming warm seasons again. And I'll be making a post again when the seasons change again from cool to warm.
I left work last night around 11 pm and stepped outside to a chill wind, not something I yet expected, nor was really prepared for. I had a fleece jacket in the car and wore a long sleeve t-shirt dispite not having needed it earlier in the day when I arrived to work. Perhaps deep down I knew what to expect, but I truly want to hang onto the Warm weather as long as I can, and it may yet still get warm once or twice before the Winter chill really hits. Spring and Summer are my favorite seasons and I am sad to see them go. It is now time to batten down the hatches, so to speak and prepare for another long winter.
Other signs of the approach of the cooler weather are around my family's farm, the surrounding area, and my home.
Hay is cut and either baled or bagged up to four times through out the summer. The last cutting happened about four weeks ago. Once the last cut is baled, then the manure pile that has been growing throughout the spring and summer from the Cattle yard cleaning is spread throughout the fields (our version of fertilizer) in preparation for Spring planting for the next year. The huge bag of hay cutting sits next to the yard, the bales are put up into the hay loft for square bales or hay barn for the round ones so the cattle have food throughout the winter.
Once the hay is in, it's time for the Field Corn. Most of the rows are chopped and bagged for corn silage, which then ferments and has a very distinct smell. The cattle eat a lot of this during the winter. The last few rows will be done when the weather breaks, hopefully this weekend. A few corn acres will also be picked in mid-november. The shucked ears will go in the corn crib for grinding if necessary. Us kids fill buckets with it and give it to the donkeys, chickens, and cows for treats. Once the corn is picked, the stalks are then baled and used as bedding for the donkeys, who live in the barn over the winter.
What I love most about this is that it is a cycle. The manure is used as fertilizer grows the food that the cattle will eat which starts the process all over again.
We picked the remaining Sweet corn the other week and froze about ten bags of it. Green beans were done about three weeks ago with small and large jars stacked in the cupboards. The tomatos and peppers are in now and we have already canned a dozen jars of spaghetti sauce. With the remaining tomatos, we hope to make some pizza sauce. The pumpkins still have a couple of weeks to go, white pumpkins. I could not find any butternuts, which are my favorites, so I'll have to buy those, but I see the local markets have stacks and stacks of them, so they won't be expensive. My herbs and spring onions are gone and used, the last of the flat parsley went into the spaghetti sauce. There are few white onions left, but they won't last long.
Once the first snow, the two Donkey's will be moved inside the barn, as well as the Cats and the chicken house will be closed up and insulated. They don't lay as much in the Winter, but they weather it well provided care is taken. The Jenny Donkey is pregnant and due in early Spring. The calves will be weaned sometime in October, and then sold in November. The mom's are already pregnant with new calves due in April and they will have thick Winter coats to help them weather the cold.
The farmlands around us are much the same with corn, hay, and soybeans coming in and being harvested. The woodlands I drive through on my way to work were green last week and this week are yellow, the splashes of orange and red. Within two weeks, there will be no green left and soon the leaves will be falling leaving the trees skeletal to wait for the first of the fallen snow to coat the branches.
Finally, in our tiny little apartment, the windows are being sealed and locked, the fans that keep us cool on the milder nights when the air conditioning would be too much are being put away. Warm winter pyjama, jeans, long sleeved shirts are now taking the place of billowy skirts, tank tops, and shorts. The little one has a new snow suit, gloves, and hat. New snow boots are not far off. Our warm winter gear, stowed away at the end of last season is now making it's way out. And then there is our gas bill, a easy $10 a month throughout the summer, is now looking to triple with the use of the heat, but the electricity will go down to compensate as we will no longer be using the air conditioner.
Personally, I am busy saving my pennies. I want to buy materials before Winter really sets in to make some projects to sell at next Autumn's local market. I find the Winter a perfect time to curl up with a good movie and a craft project.
I am NOT looking forward to the treacherous commute to and from work on icy highways, and scraping the ice off my car at 9 at night before work, and bundling my poor child off to babysitters when she'd rather be curled up in bed sleeping. They are the number one reasons I dislike the cold so much much.
But the warmth of my house and the memories of spring through the food I'll consume this Winter will keep my thoughts focused on the Upcoming warm seasons again. And I'll be making a post again when the seasons change again from cool to warm.
Monday, September 21, 2009
My Battle with Acne
I never thought I would have to battle Acne. Look at me, this sounds like the beginning of a commercial, but it's the truth. I had a face a couple of weeks ago that was worse than a kid going through puberty. My 15 year old relative has nicer skin that I do. And it was frustrating me more than anything.
Firstly, I did not have skin like this when I was in High School. I had a pimple or two during my period, which were usually the cyst-like, huge, and annoying. Those that didn't pop on their own, my mother would lance and drain and they would go away. Those are the sorts of pimples I've always had and I've dealt with them.
I was on the birth control pill for around 11 years, which I started a year after I left high school. This helped control what little acne I had and when I went off the pill, I still would get the odd cystic pimple, but again, no severe issues that would make me want to cry and hide under my sheets.
Fast forward to now ... I had a child two years ago. Little under one year ago, I had an IUD placed. Three months ago, I began having severe uncontrollable acne where those cystic pimples were popping up all around my mouth, on my chin, and all over my forhead. I would have anywhere from four to eight red, inflamed infected pimples on my face, something I have never experienced before. Make-up wouldn't even cover them and I was so embarrassed I could barely go out in public. I got to the point where I wanted to go see a dermatologist, but I thought I should exhaust all over the counter measures before doing so.
Something to note here, I'm a serial pimple popper. I know that is the absolute taboo of acne. If I leave them alone, yes, they will go away after a week, then a week later that one, unpopped from before, will be back worse than before in the exact same place. If popped, yes, they do leave a red mark which takes it's time to go away, but once drained, they stay gone. Another thing, I HATE white heads. I can't stand seeing them on other people's faces and I hate seeing them on mine.
Prior to my severe outbreak, I would wash my face in the morning with some teen marketed face wash (the Wal-Mart brand of Clean and Clear I believe) and then layer on the also teen marketed face moisturizer (also Clean and Clear). Probably too thickly, as I hate that dry feeling you get from the face wash, which takes all the oil off your face. Then put on my make-up and ... well, that is where it ended. Never washed my face in the evening, or took my make-up off.
In my defence though, I do wear Bare Minerals foundation, which is apparently so pure, you can wear it to bed. Now I don't know how true that is, given the trouble I've had in the last few months, but I'm sure it works for someone. The only other make-up I wear is eye-liner. I also layer on the lip balm all day, various brands, like it's going out of style. It's an addiction I picked up in high school.
When the outbreak happened, I decided to change my routine and move on to the more adult marketed face washes and moisturizers. I went for Neutrogena, which fit into the middle price range, not cheap like the Teen marketed products and not expensive like Olay or similar. I bought:
**All the following products can be found on the Neutrogena Website.
1.) Fresh Foaming cleanser - For daily wash in the morning before putting my make up on.
2.) Health Skin Face Lotion (SPF 16) - For All Day Moisturizing
3.) Deep Clean Relaxing Nightly Cleanser - For before bed to remove make-up.
4.) Light Night Cream - For moisturizing over night.
I went with this routine for about a month. I even cut down the amount of moisturizer. I would use to a tiny amount. It didn't work... or I shouldn't say it didn't work, it didn't change my acne at all.
I then picked up a Wal-Mart brand Benzoyl Peroxide pimple treatment. Still didn't work.
So I did a little research and found that Salicylic Acid pimple treatments are better, so back to Wal-Mart I went and picked up the Neutrogena Rapid Clear Fight & Fade 2-in-1 Gel. It did not do what it promised, but what I did notice was that my pimples headed out faster and if they scabbed, they healed a little faster, but I still had to do something to keep them from coming up to begin with.
I went shopping with my 15 year old relative who also wanted to get some Acne products for her milder issues and we looked at all of the kits that boasted being better than Proactiv. They were less expensive than Proactiv, but given that I had never used Proactiv before (was considering), I couldn't really base my need for them on that. There was one I liked, but decided to hold off and go back to Neutrogena. They had an kit themselves, but they also had an Acne range the Fight & Fade gel came from, so it was worth a try to find singular products there before I spent the money on a kit (given how much money I'd spent so far on facial care products).
I bought: Neutrogena Rapid Clear Oil Control Foaming Cleanser
I also brought back out my bottle of Clean and Clear Acne Control Moisturizer which has Salicylic Acid in it to use in the morning. And then I also purchased a bottle of Noxzema Deep cleansing Cream.
And I am finally winning the battle.
In the morning:
1.) I wash my face with the Oil Control Cleanser.
2.) I apply a tiny amount of the moisturizer.
3.) Put on Make up
At night:
1.) I wash my face with the Oil Control Cleanser.
2.) I put the Fading gel on anything that looks particularly bad or those that are healing.
3.) I pull my hair back from my face with a head band.
If I sleep during the day either before or after a night shift, I'll give my face a little cleansing boost with the Noxzema, which I like the tingly-ness and the feeling of a clean face before sleeping without have to strip the oils away.
In addition, I do use Neutrogena Healthy Skin Eye Cream for around my eyes, because otherwise, I suffer from severe flaking of the skin on my eyelids and it's the only one I can find that isn't really expensive and isn't all about being an anti-wrinkle eye cream. I don't care about the wrinkles, I just don't want my skin flaking off my eyelids!
The war is far from being won. I am still trying to get rid of some old ones that have popped up again, but are slowly going away, but I'm down to two healing and no new ones which is great for me. There are still red marks from the bad outbreak due to popping, but they will fade in time. It might be a month or two. Interestingly enough, the two that are healing popped up over one night I forgot to wash my face and didn't pull my hair back when I went to bed, so clearly what I am doing is working.
Thank heavens!
Firstly, I did not have skin like this when I was in High School. I had a pimple or two during my period, which were usually the cyst-like, huge, and annoying. Those that didn't pop on their own, my mother would lance and drain and they would go away. Those are the sorts of pimples I've always had and I've dealt with them.
I was on the birth control pill for around 11 years, which I started a year after I left high school. This helped control what little acne I had and when I went off the pill, I still would get the odd cystic pimple, but again, no severe issues that would make me want to cry and hide under my sheets.
Fast forward to now ... I had a child two years ago. Little under one year ago, I had an IUD placed. Three months ago, I began having severe uncontrollable acne where those cystic pimples were popping up all around my mouth, on my chin, and all over my forhead. I would have anywhere from four to eight red, inflamed infected pimples on my face, something I have never experienced before. Make-up wouldn't even cover them and I was so embarrassed I could barely go out in public. I got to the point where I wanted to go see a dermatologist, but I thought I should exhaust all over the counter measures before doing so.
Something to note here, I'm a serial pimple popper. I know that is the absolute taboo of acne. If I leave them alone, yes, they will go away after a week, then a week later that one, unpopped from before, will be back worse than before in the exact same place. If popped, yes, they do leave a red mark which takes it's time to go away, but once drained, they stay gone. Another thing, I HATE white heads. I can't stand seeing them on other people's faces and I hate seeing them on mine.
Prior to my severe outbreak, I would wash my face in the morning with some teen marketed face wash (the Wal-Mart brand of Clean and Clear I believe) and then layer on the also teen marketed face moisturizer (also Clean and Clear). Probably too thickly, as I hate that dry feeling you get from the face wash, which takes all the oil off your face. Then put on my make-up and ... well, that is where it ended. Never washed my face in the evening, or took my make-up off.
In my defence though, I do wear Bare Minerals foundation, which is apparently so pure, you can wear it to bed. Now I don't know how true that is, given the trouble I've had in the last few months, but I'm sure it works for someone. The only other make-up I wear is eye-liner. I also layer on the lip balm all day, various brands, like it's going out of style. It's an addiction I picked up in high school.
When the outbreak happened, I decided to change my routine and move on to the more adult marketed face washes and moisturizers. I went for Neutrogena, which fit into the middle price range, not cheap like the Teen marketed products and not expensive like Olay or similar. I bought:
**All the following products can be found on the Neutrogena Website.
1.) Fresh Foaming cleanser - For daily wash in the morning before putting my make up on.
2.) Health Skin Face Lotion (SPF 16) - For All Day Moisturizing
3.) Deep Clean Relaxing Nightly Cleanser - For before bed to remove make-up.
4.) Light Night Cream - For moisturizing over night.
I went with this routine for about a month. I even cut down the amount of moisturizer. I would use to a tiny amount. It didn't work... or I shouldn't say it didn't work, it didn't change my acne at all.
I then picked up a Wal-Mart brand Benzoyl Peroxide pimple treatment. Still didn't work.
So I did a little research and found that Salicylic Acid pimple treatments are better, so back to Wal-Mart I went and picked up the Neutrogena Rapid Clear Fight & Fade 2-in-1 Gel. It did not do what it promised, but what I did notice was that my pimples headed out faster and if they scabbed, they healed a little faster, but I still had to do something to keep them from coming up to begin with.
I went shopping with my 15 year old relative who also wanted to get some Acne products for her milder issues and we looked at all of the kits that boasted being better than Proactiv. They were less expensive than Proactiv, but given that I had never used Proactiv before (was considering), I couldn't really base my need for them on that. There was one I liked, but decided to hold off and go back to Neutrogena. They had an kit themselves, but they also had an Acne range the Fight & Fade gel came from, so it was worth a try to find singular products there before I spent the money on a kit (given how much money I'd spent so far on facial care products).
I bought: Neutrogena Rapid Clear Oil Control Foaming Cleanser
I also brought back out my bottle of Clean and Clear Acne Control Moisturizer which has Salicylic Acid in it to use in the morning. And then I also purchased a bottle of Noxzema Deep cleansing Cream.
And I am finally winning the battle.
In the morning:
1.) I wash my face with the Oil Control Cleanser.
2.) I apply a tiny amount of the moisturizer.
3.) Put on Make up
At night:
1.) I wash my face with the Oil Control Cleanser.
2.) I put the Fading gel on anything that looks particularly bad or those that are healing.
3.) I pull my hair back from my face with a head band.
If I sleep during the day either before or after a night shift, I'll give my face a little cleansing boost with the Noxzema, which I like the tingly-ness and the feeling of a clean face before sleeping without have to strip the oils away.
In addition, I do use Neutrogena Healthy Skin Eye Cream for around my eyes, because otherwise, I suffer from severe flaking of the skin on my eyelids and it's the only one I can find that isn't really expensive and isn't all about being an anti-wrinkle eye cream. I don't care about the wrinkles, I just don't want my skin flaking off my eyelids!
The war is far from being won. I am still trying to get rid of some old ones that have popped up again, but are slowly going away, but I'm down to two healing and no new ones which is great for me. There are still red marks from the bad outbreak due to popping, but they will fade in time. It might be a month or two. Interestingly enough, the two that are healing popped up over one night I forgot to wash my face and didn't pull my hair back when I went to bed, so clearly what I am doing is working.
Thank heavens!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Introduction
Once every week there will be something new. There is something I always think about writing, but never really sit down and write it. It will be about significant things in my life, my observations of the world around me, and everything in between. Comments are welcome and debates are encouraged, but remember, these are simply my opinions, nothing more. Thanks for coming by.
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