Just when I thought it couldn't get any more frustrating ... I started getting a rash. And it spread. Around the left side of my abdomen and across my back. But mysteriously stopped at my belly button and spine. Then it got redder and angry looking.
Solve the mystery? I have shingles. Yes, that's right, SHINGLES. That disease that old people get. And that means no more visits to the NICU, no holding my babies AGAIN.
Fortunately, Resident Boy was fairly quick to recognize it (despite having no dermatology expertise) and I saw the doctor quickly to start anti-viral meds. So hopefully those will shorten the course of things. Once my lesions start crusting over (lovely image right?) then I can go back to the hospital.
To top things off, my little boy is having more spells of bradycardia, or slow heart rate. To some extent this can be expected in preemies, but he was not having so many before and has been having them often the last few days. Plus, he did not gain much weight in the last couple days. The doctors finally started him on reflux medications, and we are waiting to hear results of some bloodwork. It is so frustrating that I can't go in to check on him tomorrow and talk face-to-face with the doctors. And my husband is leaving for his exam tomorrow morning and won't be back until late Friday night. So I have to do all the communicating by phone.
I just want to scream. I'm trying hard to just focus on how far our little man has come, and that he will get through this too.
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13 comments:
Oh my goddess how awful. I am so sorry this is just so unfair and not what you need right now.
I hope all gets better the stinking shingles heal fast and your little guy gets better asap.
Much love hun.
Oh crap, sorry about the shingles. That can hirt like the blazes too....
Hope it clears up quickly and your little boy gets better soon.
J
Ugh in the worst way. I had shingles when I was pregnant with my first and it was miserable. Try not to scratch - they spread. Wishing your hubs the best on his exam.
You poor thing!
Geez Louise. I hope there are no more shoes.
Do you have someone helping you out?
Oh sweetie.
What a nightmare and how frustrating. I had shingles a couple of years ago and it knocked me sideways. I was tired for weeks, but they didn't diagnose it for about a week as i assumed it was insect bites. As you've got onto yours quickly i hope it'll be less severe.
I hope your little boy gets better soon.
xx
What an awful time to get the shingles. I'm sure it is hard enough having babies in the NICU, but not being able to have any contact with them must be horrible. Hang in there. I hope it clears up quickly.
I know shingles can be brought on by stress, and you've probably had a stressful few months. I got it in college after I got married, transferred to the university and my mom died. Luckily it was a small case and the rash scabbed over before it was even diagnosed.
You will be okay, and eventually, your breastmilk will be full of antibodies from this, so at least the kids will get the full benefit of it.
Have to look on a bright side, right?
I hope the shingles clear up and aren't too painful. I hope the babies get bigger and stronger in the time you are away and there are no more setbacks with them.
Good heavens...I'm so sorry. I've heard shingles can be tough under normal circumstances, but you must be ready to lose your mind. Hang in there...take good care and heal quickly.
And I hope your little boy gets better soon.
Hoping they find a way to stabilize the little guy. It is soooo frustrating to feel even one ounce of helplessness when it comes to your child's well-being.
Maybe you could use A and B as your babies' monikers since that is how we knew them for most of your pregnancy. Or just boy and girl. Or BB (baby boy) and BG. See I'm not feeling terribly creative either.
Life is surely testing your mettle sister. Dig down deep and show'em what you got. You'll be in sunny CA in no time.
Ugh. I am so, so sorry about the shingles. I do have a friend that gets them and she's just 40, so not just for old people. :-) Hope everything crusts over soon and you can get back to your little ones in the NICU. Hang in there - I am thinking about you.
crap. i had that when the kid was about seven months old and still nursing. it was no fun AT ALL.
i feel for you.
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