About 2 weeks ago, I started to not feel well. I didn't know what was wrong. I actually called my Doctor's office. To see if I could go in. And I got the whole..."If it's not an emergency, go to Urgent Care. If it's an emergency go to the ER." On my Sunday hike with my dog, I fell asleep on a bench. On the river trail. I barely made it home. Something was wrong.
Then I woke up over a week ago, and I just knew it. I had shingles. I went to an Urgent Care/ER. And sure enough. Got diagnosed. Immediately called the Cancer Center. Talked with Nurse A. Then panicked. All while waiting in line at Walgreen's for my prescriptions.
Not only is my Mom on chemo. She's never had the chicken pox. We needed to be separated immediately. And I had no other place to go. Or anyone to watch my Mom. After about 2 hours, my Aunt agreed to take her.
It's been crazy! Over a week now. The initial blisters were healing. And then I got a second outbreak. I called my PCP immediately. Got the run around about not having any available appointments. We've gone to him since 2012? I've only seen one other patient in his office. Ever! Demanded to talk to him. And he told me to go to the ER.
I called the Cancer Center. Again! Talked to Nurse A again. She told me she'd call the prescribing physician to get another round of meds. Gave me an entire list of things to watch for. She panicked when I told her they were crossing the midline. "Can you come into the office? In an hour. I can fit you into see Dr. N. He can take a look and see if you need to do anything else." She wanted me to go in. Because she knows about my PCP. Same as my Mom's. And she didn't want me to wait at the ER.
She gave me all these instructions about getting there. Calling the office. And someone would meet me. Because they didn't want me around the oncology patients. I cried like a big baby. Told her I didn't want to go in. I thought I'd be OK. Honestly the next 24-48 hours were the worst. The pain. I had a fever. I slept most of the time. I set a timer, so I would take my meds. I didn't eat. Forced myself to drink 2 glasses of water every time I took my meds. I couldn't wear clothes...because it hurt so bad. And they were coming so close to crossing over...
Fast forward a few days. And things are healing. I was told I needed to be cleared by a physician. To be able to take care of my Mom again. So I call Nurse A again. And she gives me the same instructions. And I burst into tears.
"What's wrong honey? He's a good doctor. Don't worry."
"Nurse A, they're from my armpit all the way around my breast. To the middle of my body. I still can't wear a bra. If he examines me now. How am I supposed to have serious conversations about my Mom later. I know I sound like a prude. And he probably won't care. Heck, I don't care if a male nurse or another male doctor examines me. But Dr. N. I can't. I'll just go to Urgent Care."
"Honey, it's OK. He's a professional."
"But I can't Nurse A. I CAN'T. I know you are trying to help me. But I swear to you...it's all I'll think about."
"I respect that. Let me find someone else."
Meanwhile, I'm thinking I'm crazy! He is a professional. Imagine how many breasts he's seen. Whether at work...or otherwise. But it was just too much for me. In the past, when I've had back issues. I could careless if it was a man or woman who was helping with X-rays. One time, I physically couldn't undress myself. And asked the male tech to help me. I didn't care. But this is different...
When it's someone you know. And will see again. Many times. Whom you have great respect for. It's a bit different. Maybe I am just a prude. Eventually I got examined and cleared. I picked up my Mom on my way home. Never been so happy to see her! And all is well. Dr. N didn't have to see my shingled breast.
In case anyone is wondering. I'm still in my 30s. Not eligible for the Shingles Vaccine. I was also told, stress brought about this outbreak. So my fellow caregivers. Please try to not be too stressed out. I've dealt with a lot in my life. But darn. Shingles was painful! And I basically couldn't function for 2 weeks. So if you can get the vaccination...please do!
