Tuesday, January 13, 2015

So Sure, and So Wrong


So Sure and So Wrong

They were the treacherous triumvirate that hid like trolls under fairy tale bridges waiting to snatch unsuspecting saddle-shoed children as they skipped merrily by at the close of an otherwise carefree day.  Mumps, Measles and Chicken Pox.  Though rather Seuss-ian in name, make no mistake, in the days before vaccines for these three, they barred the way to our adulthood like invulnerable dragons.  We simply had to let them do their worst before we could pass. How well I recall the heavy discomfort and freak show visage I had with the mumps.  When the measles struck I ran a fever so high I still remember all the furniture shimmering like liquid.  But I was always too fast for chicken pox.  Try as they might, they could never quite manage to catch me.  It is a part of my family lore and legend:  I never had chicken pox.  “Remarkable!”  “Amazing!”  These were the astonished comments uttered by the mothers of my playmates as they placed cold compresses on the foreheads of their itchy, irritable children and warned them not to scratch.  I myself vividly recall being quickly packed up and bundled away from any spotty child who happened to be anywhere in the vicinity. 

As an adult it was, I’m ashamed to admit, with a mixture of pity and unflattering smugness that I watched the television ads for the new shingles vaccine.  As the poor sufferers recounted their tales of woe, I stared blithely down from my safe, impregnable mountain secure in the knowledge that their affliction could never touch me.  It is a well known fact that one cannot get shingles if one has not had chicken pox and I, it was just as well known, had never, no never, had chicken pox.

So here I was, on the eve of epiphany, staring like a codfish at my doctor as she squinted knowingly at the small, oddly painful, spot on my forehead and stated emphatically, for the second time, “Shingles.  Yes. Absolutely."

“But, but”, I began again.  “I’ve never had chicken pox.”

“Yes.  As you’ve said.  But I’m telling you that’s impossible.  No doubt you had a mild case,
 or even an asymptomatic one.  It happens.  But there is no way you made it to adulthood in this country, before the vaccine, and didn’t have chicken pox.  No matter now.  You had them.  And you have shingles.  Now go home, take your medicine just as I’ve told you and go to bed.”

So I drove home with a couple of bottles of pills large enough to choke a horse sitting beside me and thought.  I was so certain.  My parents were so certain.  I called my very first friend to tell her and even she was so, so certain.  But we were all wrong.  About what else could I be so sure, and so wrong?  It was most disconcerting. I thought of oysters, pea soup and asparagus.  Long ago I decided I hated them.  Maybe I don’t now.  Perhaps I no longer look embalmed whenever I wear yellow.  Could it now be possible I might be good at math?  Ballet?  Could I sing harmony now? It gave me much to ponder on the road to recovery, I can tell you.
******

*A personal note:  I know without a doubt I have the most thoughtful readers in the land.  The notes, the cards, the little movies!  You all were so sweet and your correspondences made my dreadful week much less so.  Thank you!  Now all of you go out and get the shingles vaccine.  Trust me.  You don’t want this.  I was most fortunate to catch it very early, when just a teensy spot on my forehead, and start strong anti-viral medications that, although they made me feel pretty crummy themselves, did the trick beautifully and stopped the process cold.  I cannot imagine the alternative, though I know many people have experienced it.  Now, go get the vaccine!  
xoxo

27 comments:

  1. My husband and I both got the Shingles vaccine as soon as we know about it. I've known people who had Shingles, and it wasn't fun for them, as you well know. How good that you've posted this so that others know about it. Glad you have rebounded. Have a great day and a Happy New Year.

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  2. That was supposed to be ". . . as soon as we knew about it . . ." Oh these fingers!

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  3. Oh Pamela, I do hope you are feeling better soon, this has indeed been a rough winter so far for so many!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Featuring "Inner Spaces"

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  4. Your post on this serious subject is entertaining. Well done. I got the shingles vaccine and heard that you can still get shingles, but a more mild case. The same with the pneumonia vaccine, plus that vaccine only protects against one of the two types. Still, I am glad I got those vaccinations. I am glad you got diagnosed and treated early.

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  5. So glad you are on the mend, Pamela. And for your readers: not only can you get the Shingles once, you can get it again and again. I had the Chicken Pox whilst young; then I got the Shingles in my early 40's from a small child who had wrapped his arms around me in greeting--only to be told later he had CP. And then again some 20 years later, it reared it ugly spots around my middle one more time. Fortunately, the last was a mild case that was caught early--anti-virals to the rescue. Having Shingles the first time was not nice as the ugly, burning rash wrapped around my middle and held on tight. Even a faint breeze hurt. Wearing clothes was absolutely unbearable, but bear it one must. Did you know you can get it not only on your skin, but in your eyes and even down your throat? Can't even imagine that pain. Not trying to frighten people, but as Pamela says, "Go get the vaccine."

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  6. As I mentioned in a comment on your earlier post, catch it quickly with the meds and you'll be much better, much faster. Sounds like you are doing everything right dear Pamela. I've never had chicken pox either (was tested and could have been a carrier, but never had an active case myself as a child). Was still advised to get the vaccine, so I did!

    Some great jokes - you have amazing blog friends!
    Be well - take care.
    Hugs - Mary

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  7. Wonderful words!
    I was in the same position insisting I never had chicken pox. Mother said yes. I said no. I grew up even wondering why I didn't have them.
    I got the vaccine after understanding the horror of the condition.
    Glad you are feeling better

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  8. Sadly here in the UK we can't just go and ask for the vaccine. We have to wait until 'our' year of birth is being done, which means the
    farmer has been vaccinated by my turn has not come yet. So glad that you are recovering.

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  9. Pamela, you seem to have been snagged by the shingles at a "very young age." :-) In case some of your younger readers are wondering if they need to run to their doctor for the vaccine, the CDC web site says the shingles shot has been approved by the FDA to be given at age 50 and above, but is not usually given until at least age 60 so as to give the most protection at the age a person is most likely to get shingles. Hope you are making or have made a very speedy recovery. Nothing worse than being under the weather.

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  10. Great advice. I recently got a shingles shot, and when I did, I was told a couple of things worth considering for many people. Since the shot is not inexpensive ($200+ on average in the US), my doctor mentioned that in her experience, many if not most insurance policies cover it for those over 60. And also, it is one of the few things more expensive on Medicare than private insurance. I can't testify to either, but if cost is a factor, that's worth looking into.

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  11. I think I would play it safe and start with the pea soup. As I got older I found that I was correct in not liking most of the foods and fads and only confirmed how vile my food and culture dislikes really were. I still can't sing well enough to avoid embarassment nor play the piano. At my age I think most of the epiphanies of my youth were wise in that I will never be a millionaire sports guy (I suppose you have to like and play them for it to be even possible) nor famous anything. I can't even recall my childhood difficulties except a quite rational fear of anything relating to dentists.

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  12. Phew, you were lucky,lucky to catch it early! I've had the chicken pox, but so far I've held off getting the vaccine. Your admonition has put some fear into me, so I'll see . . . . So glad you're "on the mend'!

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  13. My poor cousin is in the hospital now with shingles in his eyes! So glad you are making improvements.

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  14. Pamela,
    This was actually a public service announcement to me. I had Chicken Pox, but both of our sons never did. Their wives have urged them to get the vaccine updated since the reports of extreme illness with adult Chicken Pox is terrible. I will share your story. Maybe they will take action.
    Happy to hear your are on the mend.
    xo,
    Karen

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  15. I'm so sorry you have had the misery of shingles! Do hope you are doing a bit better now. Robert had a pretty severe case and was really miserable. So I rushed off and got the shot. Yes, I bet you must have had the very slightest, imperceptible case of chicken pox - so mild you never even noticed.....
    yes and I remember mumps and measles and whooping cough too (this was extra horrid!)
    I feel sorry for the children whose parents avoid vaccinations... these childhood illnesses, though rarely fatal, can be awful to live through.
    Again - feel better soon and happy reading.

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  16. Peoples' Pharmacy recommends L-Lysine tablets for Shingles.

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  17. I'm so sorry! Shingles do sound painful. It's good of you to share your story to remind others to get the vaccine. I'm relieved to hear that you got treatment early. Feel better soon!

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  18. Do get the vaccine - but as I can attest - you can still get the shingles - mine was moderate but I would hate to have had a bad case. Best wishes to you Pamela - adore your blog!

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  19. Oh my! I too remember the mumps and the measles, and like you I have always been told I escaped the mumps even though my mother would tell the story of how she tried her best to expose me just to get it over. I suspect I had a mild case as an infant. When my daughter broke out I allowed her to sleep in my bed. I was convinced I would break out 14 days later. Yes, I am asking to be tested at my next well check-up. I do hope you are feeling better. Bonnie

    I do hope you are feeling better.

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  20. Hello Pamela

    I hope you are feeling better and up and about again. I did have shingles some years ago, and it was indeed painful.
    Happy New Year

    Helen xx

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  21. OH NO !!!!! the shingles
    I had a church friend who went to hawaii for a week came donw with the shingles and was so sick couldn't come home for over a month.

    Thank you for telling this to us bloggers
    I got a shingles shot about 8 years ago even though I never had chicken pox as a child.
    I do hope you haven't suffered to much

    Janice

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  22. It's a live vaccine so make sure your doctor knows your complete medical history before requesting or receiving this, not everyone can have a live vaccine - fyi - But Pamela, so glad you have taken it and are doing well!!!

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  23. 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!