Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Laid Low


Laid Low
I am sorry to report that I have been laid low.
By shingles, of all things.
Believe everything you’ve ever heard.
This is the worst.
But never fear, I have three excellent nurses,
one of whom chooses to stay as close by my side as possible.
I bet you can guess who that is.
Bless him.
I shall return soon, all better I hope.
Till then, I can hardly read, much less write.
So, leave a comment to make me laugh!
xoxo,
p



43 comments:

  1. So terribly sorry to hear you've been laid low dear Pamela. Shingles is such a painful viral infection. Thankfully I've never had it but recall my mother's bout with it when visiting me here on a vacation. I did get the shingles vaccine a few years back despite the fact I've never had Chicken Pox, would rather be safe than sorry. Hopefully you started treatment sooner rather than later - that way you should be feeling better quickly.

    Poor Edward must be totally confused having you lying about in your fourposter all day - and the Songwriter is hopefully bringing delicious morsels, and warming sips of something strong yet soothing to help you get well again.

    Hope your New Year gets happy tout suite my dear.
    Gentle hugs so as not to hurt you - Mary x

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  2. Hope you feel better soon. Feel sorry for Edward too. He must be not knowing what to make of the situation!

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  3. Your blog is beautiful and so are you. You will recover and soon. Until then you have your special angel with you. What a gift from God our animals are! If you can have someone read you The Wind in the Willows.

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  4. Oh, poor you, Pamela! What a miserable start to the year.
    I hope you will feel much better soon. x

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  5. Oh Pamela, I am so sorry. The farmer had it a few years ago so I do know what it is like. A friend had it last year and was in incredible pain for quite some time. Keep warm and keep that 'nurse' by your side - look after yourself.

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  6. Ugh.... Sending healing vibes. I recommend great, funny, silly, escapist movies!

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    1. Yes indeed! Take a page out of Norman Cousins' book and philosophy and watch funny things! I would start with I love Lucy; and go on to the compilation of the "Johnny Carson Tonight Show"! i almost had a hysterectomy once and I planned to watch those!

      Whenever I am on a plane; and I hear people laughing hysterically......I just look for Johnny Carson on the menu. It is always him......I am not kidding.....it is healing!!!

      Soon get well!!!!

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  7. I'm so sorry and I hope you recover quickly with minimal discomfort. Earlier this year at my annual checkup my physician encouraged me to get the shingles vaccine and reluctantly I took the shot. I'm hoping it does the trick. Get well soon!

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  8. Ugh. Had shingles in my early 40s and it wasn't pretty, so I have some idea what you are going through. Hoping that while Edward is staying close (and loving), he isn't 'too close' because anything touching you when you have shingles hurts. Billowing cotton lawn nightgowns were my clothing of choice as the band of shingles went around my mid-section...that and going without a bra! Pray that healing comes sooner rather than later and that you were quickly given the right meds to help stave off later peripheral pain. Take care.

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  9. That is awful, I am so sorry to hear this.
    Thought I was getting them, but it's the reaction to Inhaler.
    Hurry and get well, give Edward a big hug, they feel every mood you have.
    Love yvonne

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  10. Hope you are feeling much better, soon, Pamela. Until then, you asked for some levity, so I did a search on shingle's jokes and came up with this.

    Kevin walked into a doctor's office and the receptionist asked him what he had. Kevin said: "Shingles." So she wrote down his name, address, medical insurance number and told him to have a seat.
    Fifteen minutes later a nurse's aide came out and asked Kevin what he had. Kevin said, "Shingles." So she wrote down his height, weight, a complete medical history and told Kevin to wait in the examining room.
    A half hour later a nurse came in and asked Kevin what he had. Kevin said, "Shingles." So the nurse gave Kevin a blood test, a blood pressure test, an electrocardiogram, and told Kevin to take off all his clothes and wait for the doctor.
    An hour later the doctor came in and found Kevin sitting patiently in the nude and asked Kevin what he had.
    Kevin said, "Shingles."
    The doctor asked, "Where?"
    Kevin said, "Outside on the truck. Where do you want me to unload 'em?"

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  11. i had them once.
    tell the song writer that no guns are allowed in the house until you're well.
    seriously. i wanted to just shoot myself.
    one silver lining . . . someday angelina jolie may also be laid low. now that she's had chicken pox. just sayin'.
    not to be vindictive or petty or anything. but something you have in common now with a movie star. LOLOL!
    what? that didn't crack you up?
    try to drink lots of water. i dont know why they always say that. things run their course. but apparently water always helps anything.
    that and all the love coming to you from your admiring followers! XOXOXO♥♥♥♥ a hug for you four.

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  12. Ouch. Hope the time goes quickly for you.

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  13. Prayers for your healing and comfort
    Love the Pier 1-esque like bed coverlet. It gives me some comfort you are surrounded by good fabric prints. :)

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  14. Large, loose nightdresses. Large scotches.

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  15. Bless your heart - I thought you were going to say the flu. Just finished a bout with that, but not so bad. Having a new puppy to make me laugh helped with the recovery. If I knew how to send it to you, I'd forward the phone video my husband shot of the puppy barking, wagging, and lunging at the doggie in the dishwasher reflection, wanting to play. Tilting at windmills, as it were. Hilarious.

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  16. Pamela,
    I'm so sorry to hear of your trial with shingles. I've never had them but have heard they are not fun. Thank goodness for the love of your house mates. I send good thoughts on recovery, sooner than later.
    xo,
    Karen
    P.S. I loved the Kevin has shingles joke!

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  17. Sending Prayers to you . Hope you are up and going real soon. Enjoy your Blog very much .

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  18. Dear Pamela, I am so sorry you are dealing with this. I have been avoiding the shingles vaccine for two years now, however, you have just convinced me to get it. Hope you heal soon. If love is an antidote to this dreadful disease, you should recover quickly. Angela Muller

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  19. Do take great care. Shingles is a wicked thing. It takes a little time....Read a book named "Dash", by Patricia Gaffney. A good story written with good humor and funnies! A bit of good ideas too.

    Sending "feel betters" your way from across the pond.

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  20. So sorry to hear you are ill, especially with shingles. I have heard they are more than uncomfortable, and something you never never want to deal with. I did get the shot several years ago, I don't know if I had chicken Pox or if I had measles when I was little, one or the other, and I didn't want to take any chances. Sending wishes your way to get WELL SOON!!!!!

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  21. Whoa! What a bummer! Having had the chicken pox in my much younger days, when my physician said I needed to get the shingles vaccine, I promptly said, bring it on. Maybe you have acquired a light case and will not be "laid low" for very long. Edward is I'm sure a great companion for occasions such as this. Sorry you don't even feel like reading, but hopefully you will be back in fine form very soon.

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  22. Sending "get well" prayers! Edward is the best!

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  23. Pamela, I'm so sorry to hear of your ailment. I've heard the pain can be severe.

    Speaking as one who's firmly in the 'alternative medicine' camp, I offer a suggestion that may be of help. Castor Oil is an ages-old remedy also known to boost the body's immune system. You could take a piece of plain undyed cloth, large enough to cover the rash, and liberally dampen it with organic castor oil. Place the cloth gently on the site, cover with a bit of plastic (a cut up baggie works well) and apply a heating pad. Leave it in place for 30 to 45 minutes. You might do this several times a day. Ideally wool cloth is used but any piece of cotton or flannel, washed without softener, will work. I've used this method myself for other ailments and know it to work miraculously!

    Get well soon!

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  24. Watch anything with Steve Coogan in it if you like British humor. Be well.

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  25. Sorry to hear you are unwell. Wishing you a speedy recovery and all the best (to you and Edward) for the coming year.

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  26. Do whatever those nurses and dr.s tell you. Shingles is horrid.

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  27. So sorry to hear this news. Get lots of rest and take that pain medication. Hope you are feeling better soon.

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  28. If we can put a man on the moon why can't we get rid of the shingles virus? Damn.

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  29. Kevin walked into a doctor's office and the receptionist asked him what he had. Kevin said: "Shingles." So she wrote down his name, address, medical insurance number and told him to have a seat.

    Fifteen minutes later a nurse's aide came out and asked Kevin what he had. Kevin said, "Shingles." So she wrote down his height, weight, a complete medical history and told Kevin to wait in the examining room.

    A half hour later a nurse came in and asked Kevin what he had. Kevin said, "Shingles." So the nurse gave Kevin a blood test, a blood pressure test, an electrocardiogram, and told Kevin to take off all his clothes and wait for the doctor.

    An hour later the doctor came in and found Kevin sitting patiently in the nude and asked Kevin what he had.

    Kevin said, "Shingles."

    The doctor asked, "Where?"

    Kevin said, "Outside on the truck. Where do you want me to unload 'em?"

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  30. I told you to stop going to that shingles bar!

    ~luv, Retha ...I posted the (awful) shingles joke, too. I don't know how to include my name except for this way. After all, you need to have someone to blame. But in my defense, you did say to try to make you laugh. ;)

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  31. Last joke of the night... (and it's not about shingles)

    Have you ever been guilty of looking at others your own age and thinking, "Surely I can't look that old, can I?" This joke is for you!

    I was sitting in the waiting room for my first appointment with a new dentist. I noticed his DDS Diploma, which bore his full name. Suddenly I remembered a tall, handsome, dark-haired boy with the same name, who had been in my high school class some 40-odd years ago. Could he be the same guy that I had a secret crush on, way back then? When I saw him, however, I quickly discarded such thought. This balding, gray-haired man with the deeply lined face was way too old to have been my classmate. Hmmm. Or was he?

    After he examined my teeth, I asked him if he had attended Morgan Park High School.

    "Yes! Yes, I did! I'm a Mustang," he beamed with pride.

    "When did you graduate?" I asked.

    "In 1959," he answered. "Why do you ask?"

    "You were in my class!" I exclaimed.

    He looked at me closely. And then that ugly, old, wrinkled, pot-bellied, gray, decrepit, son-of-a-gun asked me, "What did you teach?"
    ~luv, Retha ...Laughter is the best medicine. Hope you feel better soon!

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  32. Retha's is the funniest comment I have ever read anywhere on any blog!!

    Is it a joke; or is it true? I hope it is a joke! But it is even funnier if it is true!!!

    So so funny.

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  33. Too cute not to share. Please feel better soon

    We all need Shirley and Marcy in our life!


    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------









    Finally a ‘feel good’ email to send out







    Shirley & Marcy




    A mother was concerned about her kindergarten son, Timmy, walking to school.


    He didn't want his mother to walk with him.


    She wanted to give him the feeling that he had some independence but yet know that he was safe.


    So she had an idea of how to handle it.


    She asked a neighbour if she would please follow him to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, so he probably wouldn't notice her.


    The neighbour said that since she was up early with her toddler anyway, it would be a good way for them to get some exercise as well, so she agreed.


    The next school day, the neighbour and her little girl set out following behind Timmy as he walked to school with another neighbour girl he knew.


    She did this for the whole week.




    As the two walked and chatted, kicking stones and twigs, Timmy 's little friend noticed the same lady was following them as she seemed to do every day all week.


    Finally she said to Timmy,


    'Have you noticed that lady following us to school all week? Do you know her?'


    Timmy nonchalantly replied, 'Yeah, I know who she is.'
    The little girl said, 'Well, who is she?'


    'That's just Shirley Goodnest ,' Timmy replied, 'and her daughter Marcy ..'


    'Shirley Goodnest? Who is she and why is she following us?


    'Well,' Timmy explained, 'every night my Mum makes me say the 23rd Psalm with my prayers, 'cuz she worries about me so much.


    And in the Psalm, it says, 'Shirley Goodnest (surely goodness) and Marcy (mercy) shall follow me all the days of my life', so I guess I'll just have to get used to it!'






    The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift His countenance upon you, and give you peace.




    May Shirley Goodnest and Marcy be with you today and always




    I know you smiled!
    I sure did, Pass this on
    And brighten someone's day!

























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  34. Feel and get well very soon Pamela, I know this is so painful.
    you are in my thoughts and prayers!

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena

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  35. Just discovered your blog today and love it! So sorry to hear you've got shingles. I hope this problem doesn't live up to its reputation.

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  36. I was saddened to hear you are laid low. Like Pollyanna I was gladdened to see how many lives you have touched. And now they are here to comfort you and with laughter and kindness. I have no jokes or words of wisdom to impart however do know you are on the hearts and minds of many
    and we wish you a speedy recovery.

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  37. Why don’t cats play poker in the jungle? Too many cheetahs. What is the difference between a cat and a comma? One has the paws before the claws and the other has the clause before the pause. How do cats end a fight? They hiss and make up.

    Best I could do… Hope you at least smiled!
    I had a mild (thank goodness!) case of shingles a couple of years ago. Hope yours is mild instead of "wild"!
    Wishing you a speedy recovery, Pamela!

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  38. Oh, forgot to make you laugh so here goes....

    Guy Does Exactly What His Doctor Told Him Not To Do. The Result Is Hilarious.

    Funny, Story
    6 1 8 0 0 61

    An elderly couple go to their doctor to ask what they can do to improve their short term memory.

    “Forgetfulness is common at your age. Just get into the habit of writing down the things you need to do and then it won’t be so easy to forget.”

    Later that evening, the couple settles down to watch some TV when the husband gets up from his chair and starts to leave the room.

    “Where are you going?”, his wife asks.

    “I’m just going to get a bowl of ice cream from the kitchen. Would you like some?”

    “Oh that would be nice.”, the wife replies, “But, remember what the doctor said? Maybe you should write it down so you won’t forget.”

    The husband becomes slightly irritated at her comment and says, “I think I can remember 2 bowls of ice cream.”

    “OK.”, she says, but adds, “Do you think you could add some chocolate syrup to the top of mine? Maybe you should write it down.”

    “I think I can remember 2 bowls of ice cream and to put chocolate syrup on top of one.”

    “OK.”, she answers, “Then do you think maybe you could add some nuts, too? I love peanuts on my ice cream. Maybe you should write it down.”

    The husband starts getting irritated. “I think I can remember 2 bowls of ice cream and to put chocolate syrup and nuts on the top of one of them.”

    “OK. OK. No need to get upset. I was just trying to help.”, she says, then adds, “Oh. do you know what sounds REALLY good? To add some whipped cream and a cherry to the top. Now, that is a lot to remember. You really should write it down.”

    “I think I can remember 2 bowls of ice cream with chocolate syrup, nuts, a cherry, and some whipped cream on top of one of them!”, the husband responds angrily and storms off into the kitchen.

    Twenty minutes go by and the wife starts becoming anxious, wondering what is taking her husband so long in the kitchen when he suddenly enters the room with 2 plates of bacon and eggs.

    “See! I told you you should have written it down!”, she shouts, “You forgot the toast!”

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  39. Oh how horrible. And you look much too young to have gotten a vaccine for it. I had to wait till 60. Hope your case will be over quickly and mildly? So sorry to hear.

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  40. Pamela, I've only just read this and I am sorry. You must have felt dreadful (thank goodness for good nursing staff!!!). I hope you've turned the corner so I'll send you warm wishes for a quick recovery from the Land Down-Under!!!! Cheers. Anita xx

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  41. I appreciate your blog post, beautifully expressed and well written.

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I love to read your comments! Each and every one! Though I'm always reading your comments, I may not respond in the comment section. If you want to write me directly, you may do so at pamela@pamelaterry.net. Thank you for reading!