Kris Shingles

Hi, everyone. :(

Question: What is a very painful and often debilitating condition that is caused by the same virus as chickenpox? After one contracts chicken pox, the virus can lie dormant in sensory (skin) nerves for decades. It reappears when the immune system is weakened by age, disease or unmanaged stress. When events occur that decrease the immune system, such as aging, severe emotional stress, severe illness, or long-term usage of corticosteroids, the immune system cannot suppress the dormant organisms any longer and they become active again, causing infection along the pathway of the nerve.

Painful skin blisters erupt on one side of your face or body. Typically, this occurs along your chest, abdomen, back, or face, but it may also affect your neck, limbs, or lower back. It can be excruciatingly painful, itchy, and tender. After one to two weeks, the blisters heal and form scabs, although the pain continues.

This disease in itself is not a communicable disease. However, exposure to the rash may cause small children to develop chickenpox. Pregnant women, adults who have never had chickenpox, and persons with impaired immune systems should avoid direct contact with anyone suffering from this disease.

Answer: The SHINGLES! And Annie has it!

Yes, in the year of interesting illnesses Annie has had (a few months ago, a weird, violent, but quick episode of stomach flu), I have now found a way to get the shingles (sounds like a rock band, yeah?).

Surprised? Not really! With all of my stress out from the wedding and the early and late hours I'm putting in at work, I'm surprised I haven't collapsed yet, just like rock stars do, when they have "exhaustion".

Fortunately, I caught it early. My mom is a plethora of knowledge when it comes to what is wrong with me. She suspected I might have shingles. I went to urgent care right away, and they were able to treat it. My medication makes me hurl every couple of hours, but that's because I hate medication of all kind, and whenever I take them, I get every side effect that it lists. I now only feel a lot of tenderness around my rib area on the left side of my body, but other than that, no rashes, no break outs in blisters, no scary swollen scabs anywhere (nothing like the horror pictures I found on the web). So, I'm okay, but I'm staying home from work just to make sure I don't spread the wealth to anyone who has a low immune system or is pregnant.

Unfortunately, though, I think this may affect my Christmas. I don't think I'd want to cook for the family, because then I'd cry if everyone chose to stay away from it, worried that it might be laced with the shingles, even though by then, I don't think I'd be contagious. Also, there are people with low immune systems and young kids galore in Anthony's side of the family, so I don't know if it would be wise to offer some big Auntie Annie hugs. I did want to do so much, but I just don't have the energy. I haven't even sent out Christmas cards yet, and I just don't think I will.

Anthony also has been hit by the sick bug. First day of his two-week vacation, he got a really bad cold. It's been a few days, but with sleeping in and taking it easy (and a few Coldbusters from Jamba Juice), he's been feeling much better, although he has a really annoying cough that won't go away. But hopefully his plans of catching up with packing for the condo, Christmas shopping, and honeymoon planning should still be able to take place.

And to top it all off, Bennie has been sick! He's been throwing up since Sunday, and we don't know what's wrong with him. DJ had a party for his friends last weekend, and we think he might have eaten something weird. But he's okay now, but he's a little run down. Poor little guy. Right now he's sharing the computer chair with me (tight fit) and making it impossible for me to use the mouse because he's lying his head on top of the pad.

Oh well, a Merry Christmas to all of us! Other than that, we are in good spirits and hopeful that with the New Year comes better health and smooth planning for the wedding!

xoxo and the shingles,
Annie