That was some fast shower!

[susandennis]

My cellphone shows that I called Polly at 10:13 my time.

At 11:04, she called me back to report.

1. Her cellphone battery is dying.
2. She actually got Mom's doctor on the phone from Mom's room (this means she got through her emergency service which I didn't think was even possible).
3. He says it sounds like herpes which is, apparently, very contagious.
4. The sitters and everyone else in Mom's room will need to wear gloves.
5. The doctor will see her first thing in the morning, Polly will take her.

And then, apparently, the battery did die. But it sounds like no hospital. I think I'll wait a bit and call Mom and make sure she's emotionally ok.

Herpes? Does this mean she has to declare all her recent sex partners? And/or a quicky with the orderly is out of the question now? Her birthday is next Wednesday - maybe I should think about sending a supply of fun condoms....

Comments

shingles is a variety of herpes ...

[henare.livejournal.com]

:(

Re: shingles is a variety of herpes ...

[susandennis]

Interesting... The only thing I know about shingles is that, apparently, it hurts like a sonofabitch so that can't be good. Maybe she has a different kind of herpes.

Re: shingles is a variety of herpes ...

[henare.livejournal.com]

it can be painful. there are a few varieties of herpes that people can get ... all are pretty unpleasant ... but none are reasons to go to the hospital, imho.

Re: shingles is a variety of herpes ...

[susandennis]

Actually as your comment came into my email, Polly was back on the phone and now that the threat of hospital is gone, Mom is admitting that it does hurt a little. And, the doctor does think it is shingles and she has taken what Polly describes as a horse sized capsule. Mom is calm and no longer frightened... just annoyed at 'yet another thing.'

Re: shingles is a variety of herpes ...

[geordie.livejournal.com]

I never knew shingles was aka herpes zoster. My mother had that and I know from her that it can be unpleasant. I hope she gets over it ok.

Re: shingles is a variety of herpes ...

[roadskoller.livejournal.com]

Okay, first I was going to just simply comment until I saw your icon. And now I'm dying from laughing over here.

[geordie.livejournal.com]

Polly is quite something. I'm sure she is worth whatever she is costing.

[susandennis]

It's a battle to make sure she charges enough and, honestly, there is no way she could. She charges $30 an hour - but that's if it's 24 hours straight - like when she spent the night at the hospital last month in a chair next to Mom's bed or if it's taking Mom to get her nails done. I tell her often that she does not charge enough but she does not listen. At least I can make sure she gets paid promptly and without question. (And last year, I did send her $500 as a thank you for enabling me and Mom to live the lives we wanted with 3,000 miles between us.)

[vasilatos]

Shingles usually resolves in 2 or 3 weeks, but sometimes it can be recurrent. I have it chronic on my scalp, but the severity of it (pain, lesions, etc) has decreased a lot over the past 15 years. My sister had it (anogenital region, ow!) but it went away completely, thank god. As long as your Mom doesn't get it in her eye, she should be just fine after a bit of hurty. Not at all unusual.

BTW, it's an eruption of dormant chicken pox virus in the nerves. Everyone who's had chicken pox is susceptible to it. American kids growing up now won't get shingles, because they're vaccinated against chicken pox and don't get it.

[susandennis]

Wait just a fucking minute here.... We suffered through chicken pox and now we get shingles but the kids today won't get either one??!!! That is not right. Where's the website for this. Sounds like a class action to me.

[vasilatos]

I know! The one that peeves me is that I was decades too late to get my teeth bonded and sealed, or whatever they do to kids now to prevent cavities. So unfair. Class action against whoever is running this time thing?

[roadskoller.livejournal.com]

Shingles and herpes are from the same family and unfortunately they really are painful. Your mother needs medical help for it. Poor woman.

[ms-hackman.livejournal.com]

My brother-in-law has shingles right now too - he is 45. It is a reoccurance of the chicken pox virus (often happens if someone's immune system is down)- yes, herpes. And I understand it inflames the nerves or something and can be extremely painful (and worse the older you are) - even to have anything near it.

I agree - Polly deserves whatever you are paying her. Your poor mom.