Image explaining dumb stupid shingles found here.
I agree. And I sure wish I could figure out what that wrong thing is. Because today apparently I did that mysterious wrong thing again: I found out first hand how painful and debilitating shingles can be. Dang. That's a seriously wrong thing.
Yup. Shingles.
So it appears that my low white blood cell count triggered an activation of dormant varicella zoster virus in my dorsal nerve root ganglion -- they've been hanging around since childhood chickenpox -- which manifested as painful itchy blisters covering the left side of my back, side and chest.
I'd post a picture but it's just gross. You guys don't need to see that.
You can read more about this nasty dumb stupid very poorly timed disease here.
Previously, I didn't understand how severe the pain from shingles can be. I assumed it was simply an irritating and itchy rash. But this pain seems to go straight through my core. So strange. I have developed a new appreciation and sympathy for anyone afflicted. Yikes.
It's a good thing that I did most of my Christmas shopping and decorating and gift wrapping far ahead of my usual schedule. The house looks all festive and there's piles of brightly colored packages underneath the tree.
If I hadn't done that, I'd be in a world of angst right now. Thankfully, at this point all I have to do is take my anti viral drugs, my pain pills, and my gabapentin medications and hopefully sleep for a week until this passes.
My white blood cell count is still below normal. So do me a favor? Think high numbers of whites and very very low numbers of virus for me?
Much appreciated.
This too, will pass.
2 comments:
Hi Julia. I think your system takes a dive because you do too much. How many pies did you make? You had over 25 people in your house? I've been watching you! Lets say that I am the lab rat that does nothing and you are the lab rat that lives not bad, just perfectly busy. I haven't had a flare since they changed me to Humera and your body just keeps going to hell. I think you need to give up on some of your mom goals. I don't try to emulate the Hallmark lifestyle anymore. In case you didn't know, your body is sick. Three 20 minute walks per week are all that should be required of you. In my world, making a meal for four is too much stress. Remember when getting ready for church was too much work for you? You are still that girl Julia. I don't care how far in advance you have planned things, you don't get to do all of that anymore because you end up paying for it. I ordered pies. We had a potluck. #1 daughter did the decorating and she's going to put them away. The only food we eat with friends and family is delivery and take out. You should try to be still. Let us be silent so that we may hear the whisper of God.(Emerson) You know what I mean? Do you want to live with less ailments? It's boring as hell but I think you should try that for a year.
Oh Julia! I am so very sorry to hear this. I have had them three times, the first time was as a child, then twice after my Sjs diagnosis. The last two times were milder, but still no fun.
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