Thursday, December 1, 2011
Because I haven't had enough reasons to talk sarcastically about what an awesome year it's been...
And then on Monday, I had these weird bumps that looked like bug bites.
Great, I thought. Bed bugs.
Stripping the sheets off the bed, I was relieved to see no sign of those dastardly, creepy little things and assumed I'd been the victim of a stealth attack by some insect that had moved on.
But as the week passed, those tiny bumps got a little worse, a little more itchy, and a LOT more painful.
And then this morning, I couldn't stand up straight because of the pain. I'm not going to get into the specifics here, but I was a little bit freaked out.
There was the inevitable argument with myself. Should I call in sick to work and try to get in to see the doctor? Or should I go ahead and make the drive, knowing the doctor probably wouldn't be able to see me until at least tomorrow anyway?
This little voice whispered, "Just go to work..."
So I went.
And I'd been there about an hour when high winds knocked out the power and the administration decided they had no choice but to cancel classes and close the school for the day.
Way to save a sick day!
So I called the doctor and (miraculously) there was an opening.
I hobbled into the office, took my seat, got my vitals checked--
(ALL normal, thankyouverymuch.)
--and then the doctor came in, took one look at my "rash" and declared that I have herpes.
Okay, that's the technical term. Herpes Zoster.
It means "shingles."
Which, according to my friend, Le Google, is most likely to happen among adults over 60 or in people who had chicken pox before age 1.
I'm 34 and got chicken pox when I was 10.
I seriously feel like a leper.
I've been walking around all afternoon promising everyone I'm not contagious, because that was my very first concern. It just sounds so gross. And I had to step away from the internet when it started showing me nasty pictures and just made me even more convinced I should be shipped off to some colony to live out my days with others of "my kind."
But I've been assured that it's not a dirty disease. It's an old people one.
Which is SO much better.
Between my sister claiming the Muppets are "before her time" and now having a disease for old people, I'm just going to go ahead and find a rocking chair, an afghan, and some knitting needles.
Because I think I just aged 50 years.
You are awesome. And if you share this post, you'll be even awesomer!
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A cousin of mine got Shingles in her 30s, so you're not alone. Although, there is a Shingle Island in Massachusetts. Yes, I googled it.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome.
Eh, a gal my husband works with had Shingles last year and she's like 38. Maybe it's not such an old person disease as they think anymore. Hang in there. You're not ready for the rocking chair yet.
ReplyDeleteI know someone who had it in his thirties, so you're not old! Itchy maybe, but not old.
ReplyDeleteThe sole purpose of Google, I believe, is to scare the sh*t out of people. I had shingles in my early 20's. And by the time I made a doctor's appt to get it checked out, the rash was nearly gone and so I wasn't even medicated. It went away on its own. Ha! True story. I've also known other people way less than 60y/o to get it. So you're not alone. Nor are you old. :)
ReplyDeleteI had shingles a few years ago. Don't worry, it will go away! You just have to ride it out.
ReplyDeleteUgh, that's awful! I hope it goes away soon. And if it makes you feel any better, AARP keeps sending me membership cards.
ReplyDeletehehehehe, why am I the only one laughing after reading this post? lol Oh Karen! 2011 really has been your year! I mean, just think of all the boring stories you would have had to tell if none of this happened. (Sorry it did though, that has to suck!)
ReplyDeleteYou made painful sound so funny. Thanks for the giggle!
ReplyDeleteOh no, that sucks! Hope you feel better soon, Karen. And you're not old! If you're old, I'm WAY old, and that is unacceptable! :)
ReplyDeleteSo sorry Karen! I love you so much and hope you can get through this difficult time. Call me if you need to vent. :)
ReplyDeleteI had it in my thirties too, so don't feel bad. Well, other than the fact that having shingles sucks. But it doesn't mean you're old. I think it can be caused by stress.
ReplyDeleteYuck, so sorry. Another friend of mine had shingles last month. She's our age too. Hope you feel better soon. If I could send chicken noodle soup through the computer, I would!
ReplyDeleteWell that really sucks! Wow. You have had it rough, huh? You're not old though. Because I am 35 and I am still a spring chicken... ;)
ReplyDeleteShingles are terrible! I hope you feel better soon! And most the people I know who have had shingles got in in their 20s-30s.
ReplyDeleteOh no! I'm so sorry!
ReplyDeleteOh gosh I've been hearing about this and having some concerns. I'm in the right age group to get this. I hope I don't.
ReplyDeleteLee
Wrote By Rote
Karen, once you've passed your 60th birthday, having already experienced already experienced so-called older people's illnesses, your peers will look to you as some sort of guru, and seek your advice.
ReplyDeleteWell, my friend who went through meopause at 29 looks at it that way.
OMG, I have had shingles before and they were VERY painful! I did catch them early enough so was able to get rid of them soon enough but they were all along my hairline so it literally looked like I had raisins on my head. I walked around with a bandana on for weeks. Totally ridiculous. LOL!!
ReplyDeleteAwwww, I'm sorry to hear about this though. But I guess in the grand scheme of things, it could be worse. I have heard the older we get, the more painful they can be.
I've only heard about two people getting shingles before you: David Letterman & Dooce. She's in her early 30s so it's definitely not an old person thing. :) Hope you feel better soon!
ReplyDeletePoor girl :( as soon as you said hip pain and bumps I thought shingles but hoped I was wrong! Another blog friend of mine had them this year and she's like 22, don't feel too old (but seriously, the Muppets are awesome. So awesome Muppets was preloaded in my phone dictionary!)
ReplyDeleteNy daughter had chicken pox when she was 3 and got a case of shingles when she was 9, so it's not all that abnormal to have them young. Thankfully, she hasn't had a recurrance.
ReplyDeleteI call shingles the Crafton disease, although I thought it was just limited to the Center. Nearly half of us have had them in the past four years. I have had them three times! Hope it heals quickly!
ReplyDelete