So my first outbreak went away much faster than I expected. When I went to the doctor's around the 25th, the doc announced I was 'about 60% recovered' and then, 2 days later, it had all cleared up. Since then, it's been goin well.

I know I should expect another outbreak within this year and I'm not ruling that out. But for now I am just happy to be fine again! Life has gone back to normal, and my experience is long gone history. I admit I wasn't sure it would be this easy to get back to my life and I am pleasantly surprised.

Now, I'm just working on enjoying myself and keeping everything low on the negative. Although I decided not to tell my mom about me having herpes, I've worked on establishing a better relationship with her, and that has helped more than I imagined. It was also easier than I expected. I can honestly say that herpes gave me a new perspective on how to live my life and that I am embracing these changes. Things are working out for the better.

I was afraid herpes would be the end of my life as I knew it. I thought there'd be so many changes to make, so many cautions to consider. But now I know it really isn't that bad. I am still a confident young woman, looking forward to the same things, and my life has changed, but it's also improved. Herpes is not the end of my life. It's a chapter, like all the other chapters, and it's influenced my life, but it definitely is not over.