Whisked Away

Whisk...she got sick.
Whisk....she went to the hospital
Whisk....she went to surgery
Whisk....she is on a vent
Whisk....she develops a rare flesh eating bacteria
Whisk....she is gone

Quarantined

Nearly 3 weeks ago, my mom came down with the Shingles.  For the first week, she was really really sick.  Like, almost hospitalized sick.  Naturally, I was at her house nearly every day helping take care of her, the dogs, and housework.  As a child, I never had the chicken pox, but I did have the vaccine when I became an adult so I didn't think I was in any jeopardy of acquiring the pox while I was being exposed to the Herpes-Zoster.

Wrong was I.  It took me almost 40 years, but I finally contracted a childhood disease.  I got myself The Pox.  As in Chicken Pox.

For the first three days, I was pretty sick with a high fever, chills, headache, aches, you name it.  I was sent home from work when red spots started to appear throughout my shift, and the doctor the next day confirmed what we suspected.  A prescription for fluids, rest, and a week (or more) off of work followed.

Now that all my spots have arrived I feel almost 100%, other than some itching (which hasn't been unbearable) and some unsightly blisters.  The worst part for me was being unable (for a few days) to go help my mom.  Since I am now feeling better, I can come to her rescue once again.  I am still contagious, but she can't get what I have, and I already got what she has (kind of).

Finally, I get to use up some of my 720 hours of sick time at work, and now that I am not that sick (just contagious), I am sort of on a vacation.  Well, minus going out in public.  Since I am more or less housebound, I browsed through some Netflix options.  I happened upon a documentary about a woman (in England I think) who died in her "flat".  Though I didn't watch it, I DID read the description and some of the reviews to find that this woman died and was left undiscovered for THREE YEARS.  I used to think that would be me.  That I would die alone in my house without people realizing I was gone.

I am now confident I will be discovered long before 3 years.  My friends have been amazing throughout my illness as well as my mom's illness.  Daily texts, calls, and offers to help from SO MANY concerned friends is really overwhelming.  One of my busiest friends took time out of her day to bring me an anti-itch care package which has been a Godsend.  Grocery store runs, offers to bring me to the doctor, offers to bring me ice cream, and wellness checks are daily occurrences.  Two unbelievably amazing friends have even offered to help my mom out when I couldn't!

With friends like mine, fears of being alone in my future have subsided.  My friends are beautiful beautiful people with unselfish, golden hearts.  Blessed!