071: An Outbreak on Your Wedding with Alexandra Harbushka

Oral herpes, your wedding, and the kiss

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Life With Herpes

Welcome to today’s episode of Life With Herpes. I had a fun time telling you all about my wedding. Ok, so if you are not into weddings then sorry but for those of you who are then, I hope you enjoyed today’s episode.  Let’s be serious that there is never a good time to get an outbreak but on your wedding day it is not ideal. So that is exactly what happened but it was in a place that was very unexpected. For the first time in 14 years, I got an outbreak on my face! Yep… 14 years and right there on my lips. How was I supposed to kiss my husband at the altar?

 

I proceed to tell you about my wedding, being in Tucson, Arizona and how my in-laws live there so we went to get married there to make it legal and so his parents could witness our union. It was absolutely wonderful and I will share some pictures with you below. But let's get back to the huge blister on my lip. I was absolutely shocked! I was angry!  I was mortified! I was wondering how this was possible! I was uncomfortable in my own skin! I was embarrassed! I didn't want to even leave my house and be seen. Yet, I was getting married and I was the center of attention.

 

I went into panic mode. I mean I couldn’t even remember what to do with an oral outbreak. I’m mostly focused on genital herpes I didn't even remember what to do for oral herpes. I mean I am an expert when it comes to having an outbreak on my vagina. I had to read my own recommendations...lol.  Remember it had been 14 years so I was completely shocked. My friend gave me some Abreva which helped...thank goodness. But I still had this huge honking thing in my mouth. I did my best to not let it get in the way of all the joy, love and exciting things that were about to happen but I couldn't help it. I didn’t feel beautiful, confident or even myself because of this outbreak. I didn’t feel like I could even touch my now husband because I just felt so disgusting.

 

So the big question, did I kiss my husband? Yes, I did. But it was a quick side kiss like when you don't want to get caught kissing someone.

 

Here is the good news. My outbreak went away. My husband did not get it. We got married in front of our family and at the University of Arizona. And having this outbreak was a humbling experience and it, of course, helped me be a better mentor to you and this community. You will have to tune into this episode to hear all of the details and I hope you enjoy the pictures below.

 

Keep in touch with Alexandra Harbushka

www.lifewithherpes.com

www.instagram.com/alexandraharbushka

www.facebook.com/lifewithherpespodcast  

www.pinterest.com/lifewithherpes

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More Episode Resources

 

Here are some photos from my outbreak and our Tucson wedding:



 

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