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!

Why I am Going to Make a Horrible Roommate When I Enter the Nursing Home

OK, I have learned my lesson:  be careful what you wish for.  I will never again wish to be sick.  After about two weeks of generalized not feeling well, I finally got knocked on my ass for four days in a row.  My throat is on fire, and you could play connect the dots with all the white puss sacs on my tonsils.  Well, you could if I didn't gag which is exactly what I did when I went at those white pustules with a Q-tip drenched in Peroxide. 

Oh, I did go to the Doctor.  Urgent care in fact.  Those who know me, know I don't go to the doctor unless I really have to, and I seldom have to.  The rapid and culture came back negative for strep throat which was so disappointing for me.  I wanted to be positive for strep in the worst way.  That may sound a bit odd, but had it been positive for strep, I would have been prescribed antibiotics.  Instead my prescription is "drink lots of fluids and rest".  They say its viral so no meds can help it.  Meanwhile my temperature is all over the map, my throat is swollen (and red with white polka dots), and I simply don't feel well. 
I am a very vocal ill person.  A good portion of my night is whimpering and whining.  My cats are putting up with it for now, but I'm afraid the poor sucker in the future who has to be my roommate in the nursing home someday may not be quite as tolerant.  In between whimpers last night, I coughed up phlegm and mucus so maybe I just need to keep doing that until all the infection is gone.  Gross I know.  Twice now, I have produced impressive,quarter sized bloody mucus globules.

Good news is that I got to use up one sick day at work.  One legitimate, quilt free sick day.  Bad news is, I have been sick every day of my 5 days off.  Super sucky.  I have decided that I am done being sick today at 3:30.  I have had it.  Enough is enough.  I don't want to be sick anymore, and maybe if I act well, I will slowly start to feel well.  For the first time in 5 days, I got dressed in real clothes (as opposed to pjs), ran an errand, and am not laying down on the couch today. 

The errand I ran was to fetch me some more Kleenex and DayQuil.  I have never before had DayQuil, but I had to try something.  I was excited to come home and take my first dose.  That shit is NASTY!  I almost vomited it all up, but I managed to get it down, and I think it may have helped.  It was either the DayQuil or the phlegm removal that has been taking place most of the night and morning. 

Aside from one day, the weather has made it easy to be sick.  Rainy, windy, and gloomy.  Today is no exception so I'll go gargle with some salt water, wrap up with a blankie in the chair (not the couch!), and drink me my fluids.

Snap, Crackle, Pop

Yesterday I went to get "de-clicked".  My hip has been clicking something awful.  No pain, just a continuous "click, click, click" when I walk.  Its so annoying and also a reminder that I am aging.  Along with a clicky hip, I also have a clicky jaw.  TMJ.  Its been getting worse to the point that it clicks when I yawn, eat, and even talk.  Also super annoying.

I figured a chiropractor could help me de click both my hip and my jaw.  Initially I was very skeptical of the credentials of a chiropractor, but after he cured my aching back 2 years ago, I have complete faith.  If you have never been to one before, the positions and popping noises may look and sound like cruel and unusual punishment.

My chiro stands well over 6 feet tall and has the strongest hands I have ever felt.  Allowing such a giant to wrap his strong hands around my neck and basically snap it, creating that dreadful popping noise, is an act of great trust.  Especially since upon entering the office, you have to sign a waiver stating he is not responsible for accidentally snapping your entire head off your shoulders. 

Thankfully that didn't happen. 

In due time, I hope to be able to once again enjoy a full yawn, once again walk with silent steps, once again experience an entire day without a headache. 

My giant cured me once; I know he'll cure me again.