My curse

IMPETIGO

im·pe·ti·go

(ĭm'pĭ-tī'gō) n. pl. im·pe·ti·gos A contagious bacterial skin infection, usually of children, that is characterized by the eruption of superficial pustules and the formation of thick yellow crusts, commonly on the face. [Middle English, from Latin impetīgō, from impetere, to attack; see impetus.]

Have you ever heard of this?

If you know me well, you have. I have been cursed with this skin infection many times. Too many times. I cannot even count the times this horrid little beast has made an appearance on my face.

It is not a cold sore. It looks like one, but it is not. It is much more evil. It spreads rapidly (if not taken care of) and will take over your entire face. I have had this happen twice.

I was in junior high the first time. At first we thought it was an allergic reaction to dish soap. But after a week or two of it getting worse and spreading all over my face (completely humiliating for a tween) my mother finally took me to a dermatologist where I was diagnosed and given antibiotics. I moved on with my life and forgot about it...

...until I was in college. I was dating Dustin at the time, and I was trying to get in touch with my spiritual side. I felt that I needed to be closer to the Lord in order to make the decision to marry. So... I prayed to be humbled. Which, you know, isn't the worst idea. Sometimes people need humbling. After this experience though, I have always been more careful for what I pray for. haha.

The next morning I woke up with what I thought was a killer cold sore. My roommate took me to the store and we bought some Abreva. This, unfortunately, did nothing. It only made it spread. I had health insurance, but there was a battle over which doctor I was allowed to go to. I didn't make it to the doctor until about 2 weeks after the infection had started and by that time it was ALL OVER my face. I think I skipped school for about a week because I was too embarrassed to show my face anywhere.

This is not a picture of my face. But ask Dustin, Dawn Sheree or Cindy and they'll tell you this is about how I looked:

Long story short. I finally got medicine and it was gone. Untill...

...my wedding day.

Yes. You read that right. A couple days before my wedding day I woke up to the spawn of satan on my lower lip. I completely freaked out, and went to the doctor right away. I mean, how could I even kiss my groom if I had a disease on my mouth?!? I recieved my antibiotics (and a lecture on how birth control will not work while I'm on them) and began to treat the impetigo. Something I havent told you yet though--impetigo looks WORSE when it's healing. It gets crusty yellow dry scabs, easily bleeds, and appears much larger. I'm sorry, were you eating?

Anyway, even though I had medicine, this curse was on my lip for my wedding and all the pictures that go with it. At my reception my mother planned this really sweet thing where I started off dancing with my Dad, then my husband cut in, then my brother Andy, then Jared. I never got to Alex. While I was dancing with Jared I spun him around (he was still little then) but when I did, his arm hit my mouth and I started bleeding everywhere!

No I am not making this up. I'm not even exaggerating. This actually happened to me.
At. My. Wedding. Reception.

Now roughly about every 3-6 months I have had bouts with this skin disease. It never leaves me. Which brings me to this morning. This morning I woke up with this:

Disgusting right? Enlarge the picture, if you dare. The worst part is-- I JUST HAD THIS. Two weeks ago! My impetigo occurrences have seemed to increased exponentially. I will be diligent in taking ALL my antibiotics this time. But it will be back.

It always comes back.

So folks, the moral of this story is that the Lord does indeed answer our prayers. If you pray to be humbled, you might just end up with a disease on your face.