Monday, January 12, 2009

Close, But Yet So Far

Well, I made it to church yesterday and other than the fact that apparently operating only one side of your face tires you out more quickly than using both sides, I had a very good day. I thought I'd reached the end of my growing list of symptoms and was basking in the light at the end of the tunnel. Until...as I was changing clothes I felt a small rough-ish patch on my shoulder. I asked Joel what it looked like and his reply was, "Poison ivy." I knew this was impossible because the last time I was exposed to poison ivy, I was 8 years old on a Girl Scout camping trip. Not the outdoorsy type, am I. But the over-65 population at church on Sunday evening knew immediately what it was...shingles!

Another call to the doctor this morning. The receptionist said my regular physician was booked, but she'd be happy to schedule me with someone else or I could wait until 4:00 tomorrow. I declined having to rehash my medical history with yet another stranger and asked to leave a voicemail. When Dr. M returned my call after lunch, the minute I mentioned a small patch that looks like poison ivy, she gasped, "Its shingles! I need to see you this afternoon."

And so the saga continues...

You know the saying about hindsight being 20/20? I believe it was coined for just such an occasion as this. As we laid it all out in the doctor's office this afternoon, it was like putting pieces of the puzzle together. All the way back to last Wednesday when my only real symptoms were a swollen lymph node and that when I drank carbonated beverages my ear drum burned. Hot liquids felt soothing, cold drinks were no problem, but DietCoke caused a tingling burning sensation deep inside my ear. We focused on the lymph node and didn't catch the warning signs of nerve impairment.

So Bell's Palsey does not cause shingles, it is a side effect of shingles. In my case, it just happened to identify itself more quickly than the real culprit. So while I thought the worst was over, I now have oozing, weeping and scabbing of the "poison ivy" patch to look forward to. Oh, and excruciating pain.

Well, the next few weeks might not be pleasant, but should be interesting. Let me just apologize ahead of time for anything I might say or do in the near future...we'll just chalk it up to all the steroids, anti-virals, antibiotics and pain killers that now live on my nightstand. K? Thx.

13 comments:

The Wise Family said...

Oh, Denyse, I am so sorry! That does not sound like much fun at all. I'll be praying for you, friend.

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness. I do hope you start to feel better soon!!

Sturgmom said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sturgmom said...

I'm sorry. I'm screwing up your blog. That "anonymous" comment above was mine. Then I was using something that resembled Pirate English in the above post (typos) that I deleted. Anyway, get better!

Denyse said...

I saw the deleted comment in my email, and since my children think I look like a pirate because of the paralysis, it made me laugh. Arrgh!

Kimberly Carpenter said...

Goodness, Denyse! I thought you had enough symptoms Sunday morning! I hope you get feeling better soon. Isn't shingles a strain of the chicken pox virus? It isn't chicken pox, but has the same virus in it, I think. It seems that I remember someone saying that while avoiding Micah when he was really little. Anyway, that was random! I sure hope you start feeling better very soon!

Aubrey said...

Sorry to hear about the shingles! My hubby had them a few years ago and was in so much pain! I feel for you!
Hope everything starts looking up for you!

Maybe a new purse with some goodies would do the trick? LOL Thanks for visiting and entering my giveaway! Good luck!

Ronnica said...

You've been on quite the medical journey the past few days, haven't you? I hope that this is the end nad you'll start to see relief!

momma said...

oh my! i've stopped by from sits. i will be praying you can get some help and are feeling better soon!

Karin said...

So sorry you have shingles! Have had them myself but not on my face. If you got the medication quickly you should be fine soon!!Meanwhile, it really is painful. I pray that you will heal quickly!

Thanks so much for visiting my Welcome to Alberta post!!

j said...

Bless your heart. I have heard that shingles are a booger bear. I hope the pain meds work wonders and that you are feeling better SOON. I will pray for you.

G Pierce said...

Ooh, Denyse...that doesn't sound good. Please, please don't worry about that necklace order until you're feeling better. Take all the drugs you can get! Hope your days start looking up.

Jen F. said...

So sorry to hear! I will pray for a speedy recovery. Feel better soon!