The pain of pimples: How a simple change in diet helped heal my face

One morning I was at my desk seated listening to political news while one of our office messengers came over to my desk, greeted me then left.

Without thinking much about it I went on with my work before he interrupted me again, but this time with a note written “see me tomorrow in the morning”.

I was surprised to find that the note was from one of my female colleagues who I hold in high esteem. I was curious about the timing though, I wondered why she had asked me to see her the following morning since it was still early in the day. But the messenger insisted that he had just received the note.

The next day I arrived at the office early, anxiously waiting for my meeting with her. As soon as she settled at her desk, I went for the much-awaited meeting.

I didn’t know it then, but this meeting would change me immensely!

I had been used to negative comments and judgments about the condition of my face, but here was a woman who took an approach so different that it baffled me. She spoke to me as a mother would to her child.

She said, “Maggie am about to ask you something. It is out of care and great concern and I have been thinking about it for sometime. I didn’t want to stop you on the corridors because I needed us to seat and talk.” 

She paused for a second, looked at me and continued: “Maggie you’re a young lady, working for a good company, you earn a salary and many would want to be where you are. You also have a good family that supports you, but I wonder what is affecting your face.”

I was stunned! Before I could answer she continued: “What is causing these break outs? Are you stressed? You’re not a teenager or an adolescent, so tell me what is the matter? 

Her questions were hard to swallow. I felt a lump form in my throat, suddenly I couldn’t breath, I was fighting with all I had to avoid crying. But I managed to answer in a feeble voice “I am as lost as you Jemimah”.

I went on to tell her that I had tried all the medicines recommended to me; I had spent a small fortune on products that promised to be a miracle cure for my ailing skin. I told her I was tired of the situation and was at a loss on how to solve the issue.

As I narrated my ordeal, my eyes welled up and my will power failed me. I broke down and cried bitterly. My handkerchief was not enough for the tears, she handed me a tissue without saying a word and gave me a shoulder and a chance to offload a burden I had been carrying for weeks.

After I calmed down, she asked: “Do you take milk, eggs or a lot of red of meat?”

I nodded to the affirmative. She continued: “Young girl, you’re past growing and bone developing stage! Too much protein is good for babies to support the development of strong bones, but you’re not in that stage of development so you don’t need too much of that.”

Right there I was reminded of basic biology and nutrition. I should have known better! Due to the demands of growth and development, getting adequate protein is particularly important during infancy, childhood, and adolescence.

She also advised me against taking sugar and referred me to a shop in town to buy some herbal supplements.

She narrated to me that one of her daughters was going through the same ordeal and promised to share with me some of the remedies that will work for her, but warned that not everything that works for her will work well for me.

“Be patient, all will be well in no time,” she told me. By this time other colleagues had come in and the office was getting busier. I understood why she had asked me in that early, she had wanted us to have a private chat.

She had anticipated that I would be an emotional wreck, and her mother’s instinct prompted her to protect me from being seen in that state by an office full of people. For that I respect and love her so much. If you’re reading this auntie Jemimah, as she’s popularly referred to at the office, I want to say thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.

Later on I found out she had had a conversation with one of her close colleagues and they had agreed that she be the one to talk to me.

I left the meeting and went straight to a washroom where I cried for a long minute. Looking back I find this very funny.

My tears had washed off all my makeup so my face looked horrible. My nose was red and my eyes were bloodshot so I rushed to a private place to re-touch my face before anyone noticed.

In my previous article I had said that the experience I went through made me feel alone, that early morning chat with Jemimah reminded me that I was not alone and taught me to always make it a point to help anyone in I come across in need and to be kind while at it.

I would like to sincerely thank Jemimah, Mercy and my mom for being the strength that held me together with her relentless prayers and love.

The advice I received that morning from Jemimah with the help of Mercy played a huge role in healing my face. Within a short period of time I began noticing that my face was clearing up. Over the course of my treatment and journey, diet played a key role in achieving the face I dreamed of and I am forever grateful to these two women for their help.

Next week I will share about my visit to the supplement shop. Thanks for walking a mile in my shoe for a few minutes, till next week. God bless.