NO, I DID NOT LEAVE ON A MYSTERIOUS AND EXCITING EUROPEAN ADVENTURE



NOR HAVE I BEEN KIDNAPPED BY PRIATES
(how bad could THAT be??)
NOTHING THAT WONDERFUL

Truth is I have become familiar with shingles

you are thinking........."she is into roofing now?"


No.

Instead, after almost two weeks of unrelenting pain
and very little sleep

I schlepped off to see the doctor.
Something I rarely do.

The funny looking row of bite-like and itchy, hurting bumps
wasn't as alarming
as the constant throbbing, pain
that would not be relieved with any of my tried and true remedies.
Evidently this is called

postherpetic neuralgia



I was grateful it was on the right side
(back)
and not the left

or I would have been sure it was a heart attack
(.........the longest one in history.)
as the pain would radiate right through to my chest in
a constricting sort of way.

Arriving at the doctor's office
with blood pressure off the charts,

the rather quick diagnosis

SHINGLES

That nasty, opportunistic virus that we all carry
if we've had chicken pox.

One that waits........
oh so patiently........
for a time you are not exactly feeling well

or are perhaps STRESSED.

I had been under the impression that this malady was exclusively for the elderly.

WRONG!!

I do not wish this on any one, any age.
Except maybe one or two people who have really, really been evil.

The good news.........I am responding well to treatment
and have slept pretty well now
for the first time in two weeks.

So I will be back here this weekend and check on everyone.

If any of you dear bloggies has experienced shingles.........
DO drop a note and share any advice you might have.


That's all for now from the nest.

10 comments:

Babsarella said...

Rella,
Sorry to hear that you have been under the weather. Hope you are starting to feel better now that you have been to the doctor. Wishing you a very speedy recovery!

Sharon Tomlinson said...

I am so sorry. Wish you the wellest you can be. Rest. Dream. Sleep. Breathe. Dream. Relax. Dream.

At least, you are at the nest. Right? and not at that awful place.

Maija said...

OMG honey- the minute I read your post I thought of shingles- I am so sorry! I have heard it is terribly painful. I'm wishing you a speady recovery!
oxo

Anonymous said...

Mom...I have to find out your not well through your blog!?!?!?!?! Didn't we just talk?!!?!? That's it young lady....you're grounded! No tv or seeing your friends at the mall for a month. Now get better or else I will have to take away your video games as well.

xoxoxoxo

suze said...

You poor thing...shingles are no fun at all. I think it is also related to the herpes virus. The same one that brings on fever blisters when you get stressed. DH gets them when he is stressed or in the sun. I used to let things stress me out but not any more especially after the transplant. It's just not worth it.
Now about those hula hoops, they are little potato rings that fit on the end of your finger. And they come in plain, cheese and onion,salt & vinegar,BBQ beef and now roasted chicken. They're yummy!
Sending you well wishes! Please feel better soon.
xo suze

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

I hear that it is the worst! Good luck.

Studio Panorama said...

Dear Sweet friend, please get well soon. Shingles are not fun. I have not had them myself, but, know of others that have. Relax, de-stress, and this too shall pass.
Bev Froese

Betzie said...

Ugh...my aunt had shingles. She couldn't take the meds for it and suffered for months. Thank goodness you can! I hope it is short lived and you feel better soon!
I know Nature Girl suffered from this too and shared it on her site. http://nature-trail.blogspot.com/

CathWren said...

Oh I am so sorry Rella. I had one shingle on my tummy that I didn't recognize as a shingle, and then about 10 months of hell until someone figured out what was wrong with me (after a visit to the Mayo). I have never been in so much pain. In my case, the pain was on the left, and at one point underwent unnecessary surgery for a kidney stone . . . the stories I could tell you. But more importantly, have they tried you on Neurontin yet? That was the magical cure for me Rella. Sending gentle hugs your way.

Rella said...

Thank you all for your warm wishes..your phone calls...I appreciate them so. ...and by the way suze...I am now craving hula hoops...jeepers.

xo Rella