Friday, April 30, 2010

Today was THE day.

Today is THE day I have been waiting 22.5 years for.  Today is the day that changed my life.  Ya really, it is.  Not in the way like getting married or having a baby changes your life- but in a different way.  I have had a large birthmark (on my left arm, most of my back, a little on my chest, and from just below my knee down on my leg).  I am really wishing I had taken "before" pictures- but I really didn't think about it. 

Dr. only did a portion of my birthmark today.  He said he wanted to see I responded to the laser.  He did my upper arm and upper back today. 

First, it was not exactly the best feeling in the world- it hurt.  When Dr did my arm he had the laser on a 6, and that didn't really hurt at all, but when he did my back, he bumped it up to a 7 and that hurt pretty bad.  He finished up with a 6.5 on the rest of my back.  (I really have no idea what these numbers mean- other than a 7 hurt worse than a 6). 

Right after, it was really "stingy" and the spots were raised- and I have just been told the spots are called purpura.  I have been putting ice on the purpura all day, and it helps.  Right now I feel like I have a really bad sunburn. 

The purpura will last for up to 2 weeks and I will be ready for another treatment in 3-4 weeks.  I can't wait to see what it looks like when the purpura fades- and even with how painful it was, I am looking forward to the next treatment, I know (or at least I hope) with every treatment, my birthmark will get lighter and lighter and smaller and smaller. 

In case you would like to see, pics of "after" the treatment:  (these were immediately after so I am swallen)

You can clearly see the difference between the 7 (on back) and 6 (on arm),  I am hoping that with a little better pain management that I can have it all done with a 7 next time. 

No comments:

Post a Comment