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About me! (non-Accutane-related)

Intro: 2-28-03

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Month 2
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Month 3
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Week 10
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Month 4
Week 13
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Week 16

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Week 16

See PHOTO ALBUM

Tuesday 06-24-03

Guess what, dear reader!  I'M DONE! =D

Hopefully.

Actually, I was hoping my dermatologist would keep me on Accutane for another month, but considering the severity of my arm-rashes, she thought it was best to make week 16 my last.  I still have 14 pills left over, so I'm thinking about going ahead and finishing them up.  They're probably the ones I neglected to take while I was in the hospital anyway.  I gave my Dr. a picture of my face during week four - she seemed really impressed with my progress, and her assistants agreed that it was "amazing."  She then asked that I print a current picture for her so that she may use them both in her "Accutane folder"... whatever that is. 

I'm supposed to return in 2 months to begin a Retin-A gel treatment.  I'm not sure if it's for scars or future zits.

To update on my progress, I have a painful zit on the bridge of my nose and an even larger one on my shoulders, but I'm certain that my picking aggravated what were originally just tiny plugs.  My skin is not acne-free, but it IS about 90% better than it used to be in terms of clogged pores, black heads, and actives pimples, pustules, and cysts.  To be honest, I'm a little disappointed that I'm not 100% clearer. I always suspected that an expectation like that might be a little unrealistic, although it was realized in some journals that I've read.  Grrr, why not mine! ;-)  My face is also scarred pretty badly from years of breakouts and that HORRIBLE initial breakout.

But don't get me wrong!  I am very, very, very (x100) pleased with the results.  I only hope that I don't regress as I come off of the medicine and my oil glands return to action again.  I'm curious to be reminded of what normal skin and lips feel like.  So - I'll probably hold my breath for a while, but if a second course is necessary, I'll definitely do it without hesitation. 

After a decade of acne, and even though my face is still considerably blemished, I'm finally learning what it's like to not instantly wonder what people are thinking of my face when they look at me. 

I'll be posting (at least) monthly pictures so that we can all hopefully watch my skin's scar repair progress, and a full update after my first follow-up on August 25th.  If anything notable happens in between then, I'll be sure to post it here! 

Thank you to all who have signed the guestbook or emailed me! I've enjoyed talking with everyone and hope that you keep me updated on your progress - e-mail me at astrophel2@aol.com, I want to know!  :-)

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