Peace Out Eczema: Month 6

(8/1/2014 - 8/31/2014)
(Day 154- Day 184)

Month 6 started in a flare and tapered off. The flares are becoming much less severe and the recovery has been quicker. A typical flare is thicker skin and usually a lot more itching and discomfort. Also more exhaustion. The flare almost got in the way of my anniversary weekend because I didn't want to put makeup over the thick, painful skin, but I forged on and went out without makeup. SO glad i did! I felt 100% normal! We went ALL day without stopping and stayed out til 1am. I didn't want the day to end....

Day 154

Right before my date. This is with 100% natural light. What I would look like out. I was in much more pain than I looked if that says anything. I really wanted to cancel our date night.

BUT I didn't. I threw on a scarf and went.

It's amazing how OLD TSW makes you look! I have severe eye wrinkles.

Day 155

WITH FLASH

WITHOUT FLASH

Day 156

I'm going to do another post in a little it about my emotions, so I'll just stick to the facts.

More roller coaster.

More flaring.

No sleep.

More of everything making it worse, nothing making it better.

Don't even get me started on moisturizing or not.

Day 157

Day 158

And the coup de grâce...... MY STUPID NECK

Aka...the reason I can't sleep

These few days were blah. The wrist was so disgusting and annoying. Flared a bit and was REALLY tired. I felt very very exhausted these days but somehow pulled my crap together to take some engagement pictures of my brother and his fiancé. I chugged a gallon of water over a few hours. At the shoot I ITCHED AND ITCHED and my icepack busted open on my collar bone and ended up giving me a rash several days later, but we produced some insanely gorgeous and touching photos (I shared a few below). It was the first real photo session since TSW started. Have missed it.

Day 159

The good thing about the flares is they aren't lasting as long. But they still suck.

Day 160

Wrist wrapped, neck iced, feelin' like a million

Day 162

The photos I actually produced... while looking like hell and itching. First session in at least 6 months.

Day 163

This was from an icepack that broke on my collarbone during the photoshoot. It caused a major breakout.

Moisturizer withdrawal lasts only a bit for me.

I successfully wore makeup for the first time in months!! And it did the job! Day 165 I did my hair and makeup and looked pretty darn normal!?

Day 165

BEFORE

AFTER

Up close it's a bit flakey and cakey, but it'll due! From a distance NO ONE would look twice!

Day 166

BEFORE

AFTER

Flakey and gross... but at a distance it'll work.

So painful. SO swollen. So ANNOYING.

This week was a lot of lip flares and SHREDDING my neck. There were several nights where it was SOOOO itchy.

Day 169

Day 170

Day 171

Day 173

Day 174

Day 176

Month 6 has brought about a LOT of celebrations and then a lot more of the same... inflamed and rashy skin, hyper reactions to foods. Sleep still sucks. Wake up CONSTANTLY and am always tired.

Day 177