it took a turn this past week.

for the worse.

its more red, inflamed, and itchier than ever.

the dots are now turning into patches.

but, i continue finding myself more and more grateful for this.

this trial, has weirdly changed my life forever.

in the past month and a half, i have never been so vulnerable.

in the times (which is most of the time) i think i am going to literally explode,

i find myself leaning and reaching out to my savior more then ever.

i have found my saviors hand in my life in the past month,

more then i have in my entire life.

not that he wasn't there before this illness hit me.

but during this time of need

i have never felt so much comfort or love.

i continue to find so many blessings along the way.

i am learning so much about myself.

i feel blessed.

my faith is growing immensely.

i feel overwhelmed with the spirit and the love of my heavenly father.

& even though each day is a struggle and i don't feel 100 %.

i am currently very grateful for my life.

foodie.

absolutely and totally obsessed with food.

but.

i love to bake (and when i say love, i mean unconditionally love). 

and i love finding new recipes.

this isn't a food blog,
(i leave that to my sister. check her blog out! breannasrecipebox.blogspot.com) 

but.

my moms chocolate chip cookie recipe is phenomenal.

and the the dough isn't bad either...

the past couple weeks my little brother and i find ourselves making a batch right after dinner.

we eat the dough until we feel sick,

(literally, we eat spoonfuls at a time)

and once the cookies are baked,

we eat them until we are even sicker.

(they are ridiculously addicting).

so, i warned you.

recipe:

1 C. Shortening

1 C. White Sugar

3/4 C. Brown Sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. Baking Soda

1 (heaping) tsp. Salt

1 T. Vanilla

2 1/2 C. Flour

2 C. Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips

-mix together shortening and sugars. add eggs and beat. add baking soda, salt, vanilla, and mix. slowly add the flour while mixing. last but not least, add the chocolate chips!

- put the balls of dough onto a cookie sheet that NEEDS parchment paper.

Oven: 375 degrees

Cook Time: 9ish minutes. 

(i set for 8, and see how they are looking, and will usually add a minute or so).

*if you make them, i would lovvvve to hear how you liked them, and i think my mom would also :)

people.

you are nice.

everyday at least one person,

 weirdly makes my heart feel as if its overflowing with happiness.

even if its just a simple hello.

so thank you for being just nice.

it really does make quite a large difference in my day.

-speaking of nice people-

there is this woman.

you know when you meet someone, whether its a new friend, or future hunny, or just an acquaintance.

and they were placed in your life for a very known, & good reason?

today i was thinking.

&

 my mama, was placed in my life for a very good reason.

she's my best friend.

& i feel so blessed that i have her.

as we all know (and I'm not wining, i promise) i've been sick for over a month now.

this amazing lady, without fail

-makes sure I'm taking my medicine (even sets it out for me, because sometimes i get confused).

-holds me when i feel like I'm about to have a full blown panic attack and the tears won't stop.

-gives me positive advice everyday.

-stands up for me when people make fun of me or give me a hard time.

-scratches my itchy back (because its hard for me to reach) for endless amounts of time.

-is constantly trying to make me smile or laugh.

 -comforts me, so much.

& is just an amazing mama.

i am convinced she's my angel.

Its called Guttate Psoriasis.

I've had this illness, for over a month now.

46 days to be exact.

or 6 1/2 weeks

& blah blah blah.

Never did i think that i would have something that would basically take over my life.

I have been blessed with this trial because about 50 days ago, i had strep throat.

an evil thing that strep throat is...

(and yes i say blessed with this trial because as hard as it is, i have had so many blessings along the way that i couldn't be more grateful for.)

 I was sick for about a day and a half with a sore throat, fever, and chills and then found myself very relieved thinking i was all better.

a few days after, to my dismay... i started getting hives on my neck and arms.

these hives soon turned into swollen red bumps all over my skin and soon after patches of red bumps.

after going to multiple doctors.

we finally found one, that was able to diagnose me with guttate psoriasis

definition: Guttate psoriasis is a skin condition in which small, red, and scaly teardrop-shaped spots appear on the arms, legs, and middle of the body.

Symptoms include itching and spots on the skin, which are pinkish-red and look like teardrops. The spots may be covered with silver, flaky skin called scales.

& for your information, in the definition above...

WHEN THEY SAY...

small, red, and scaly teardrop-shaped spots:  ***BIG, red, and scaly teardrop-shaped spots

appear on the arms, legs, and middle of the body:  ***COVERING my entire body

itching:  ***itching beyond words that could describe

pinkish-red:  ***usually dark red, somethings hot pink

...

(this picture doesn't really do it justice)

I was on so much medication that i would be in bed all day long. i now try to just handle the itchiness so i am not so whooozy all day.  (which will sometimes result in me almost having a panic attack). at one point i would sleep only 30 minutes a night. i would literally finally fall asleep at 6:30am and have to wake up around 7am for school. and at times i am so positive it is almost ridiculous. and other times, i can't stop crying. my medication makes my emotions a very very very large roller coaster.  ^just warning you^ i have a checkup with my doctor weekly. at times it looks like its healing, and other times it looks like i just got hit by a plague. (right now i am definitely hitting the plague or being hit by it.) I recently tried a juice fast. i drank just juice for 5 whole days. i think that is quite incredible. supposedly this would help my psoriasis, but i found myself even more emotional than before because i couldn't have the thing that was keeping me somewhat sane (food).

-----

i did however, find myself feeling amazingly healthy. so juicing will definitely become a part of my daily life. just not ALL day long.

this weekend i had a breakout (again). and itchier than ever. 

BUT. its ok, i have a doctor appointment tuesday.... maybe they will give me better news then just prescribing me another medication that won't work.

cross your fingers for me!

i know my polka dots aren't the most flattering...

but i am becoming quite fond of them!

me and the dots are almost best friends.

(hopefully best friends that don't last longer then another week).

HAPPY HAPPY SUNDAY!