I'm turning 80 quicker than anticipated...

Well if you're familiar with an earlier post about losing my back molar due to...well...the dentist didn't really know...it was some kind of freakish incident. That doesn't make me confident about the future of those pearly whites left in there.

A disclaimer...

[What you will see next is graphic in nature and may be disturbing to children. And babies. And Adults. Heck, it's just plain gross. Proceed at your own risk]

Yes, this is what my tooth looked like when they pulled it out. No, the hole wasn't there when he pulled it out- the Dentist was poking around trying to figure out why my tooth was basically imploding- he found the source and poked through- it was kinda nasty to watch, but glad I didn't wait long enough to actually start feeling pain from the tooth (Counting my blessings). I also offered to donate it to science...he appreciated my offer and said he was going to ask if he could keep it anyways just to use in the rare instance they ever see this happen again. He suggested I take a picture, print it and put it under my pillow to collect from the tooth fairy.

Well...I did that...and guess what she gave me???

You'll never guess...

Still trying to guess???

ok...I'll tell you....

But First...Another disclaimer....

Again... [What you will see next is graphic in nature and may be disturbing to children. And babies. And Adults. Heck, it's just plain gross- much more gross than that nasty tooth. Proceed at your own risk]

(photographed with hardpod- my iphone- on the right side of my body under my arm(pit))

What the ______.... UGHHHHH...

She gave me shingles. Shingles? For rill. What ARE shingles, you ask?? Believe me, you aren't the only one with no clue..my response to the doctor after he said I had shingles was..."don't 80 year olds get this?"... "No, that is just a myth- for the most part," he said. For a textbook definition for ease of understanding- here you go.

Shingles: a painful viral infection of the nerve roots. The virus moves along the nerve fibers and affects cells of the skin, resulting in a skin rash. Caused by the same virus behind childhood chickenpox, the virus is never fully cleared from the body and shingles occurs when the virus reactivates. Pain, itching, tingling, burning -- these are all symptoms of shingles that may occur before the outbreak of the rash. Starting as small blisters on a red base, with new blisters continuing to form for three to five days, shingles is painful.

What Causes Shingles?
After you've had chickenpox, the virus lives in your nervous system, "sleeping" in the nerve roots. In some people, it remains asleep (dormant) forever. In others, a weakened immune system may cause the virus to "wake up," reproduce, and travel along nerve fiber to the skin's surface (OF COURSE THIS HAD TO HAPPEN-ADD THIS TO THE REST OF WHAT'S BEEN ON MY PLATE). The result: Shingles. When the virus becomes active again, it can only cause shingles, not chickenpox.

Who's at Risk for Shingles?
Anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk of developing shingles, although it occurs most commonly in people over the age of 60. (SEE- I AM GETTING OLDER!!) Weakened immune systems (DOES A NEW BABY FIT THIS MOLD?), emotional stress (DOES A NEW BABY AND SCHOOL FIT THIS MOLD?), and cancer (UH, LET'S JUST HOPE THIS ISN'T ALSO IN THE EQUATION) can all cause the virus to reactivate.

How Long Does Shingles Last?
The cluster of blisters that form with shingles fill with fluid, pop, then start to ooze (OMGosh- I THINK I JUST IRPED IN MY MOUTH). Eventually the affected areas crust over and heal like the rash shown here. The whole process may take three to four weeks (NO FREAKING WAY! THAT IS JUST RIDICULOUS) from start to finish. Once all of the blisters are crusted over, the virus can no longer be spread.

Is Shingles Contagious?
Yes, shingles is contagious. The virus can spread to anyone who hasn't had chickenpox (OH CRAP- JOVIE IS WAY TO LITTLE TO BE CATCHING THIS), through direct contact with the open sores of an infected person, as long as that person has new blisters forming and old blisters healing. Instead of developing shingles, the newly infected person develops chickenpox. Once they've had chickenpox, they can't catch it again, though they do now have the potential to develop shingles later in life.

What are Complications from Shingles?
Generally, shingles heals well, resulting in few problems. A more worrisome complication is when shingles affects the forehead and nose, which may spread to the eye and lead to loss of vision. (OK REALLY, FOR RILL?? THIS IS NOW JUST GETTING PLAIN RIDICULOUS)

How is Shingles Treated?
There is no cure for shingles (OH...GREAT. SO I'M GONNA WALK AROUND SCRATCHING MYSELF FOR A MONTH AND BE IN TOTAL PAIN? AWESOME.), but treatment may help you get well sooner and prevent problems.

Thanks to WEBMD for supplying you all with info on my disgusting disease.

P.S.- I didn't mean for this post to be so lengthy. I guess it will be a nice reminder of what I went through for my first born. Hopefully it will be a good lesson when it's time for baby#2.

Dear Jovie,

Don't think that I won't hold this over your head when dad and I want to go out for date night and I need you to babysit your siblings. I know, it's a long way off- but you know, moms have great (selective) memories.

Forever with Shingles

Love, Mom

Besides...I love you EVEN when you're cross-eyed, losing hair on top, and have squishy cheeks. So cute!