So – guess which one of these is desirable and which one definitely is not?? Bit of an easy one hey..
Yup, managed to get my second ever dose of shingles a week ago and its still, quite frankly, bloody painful. Seems far worse than the first one, which was about ten years ago. Either because I am ten years older or it actually is a nastier little dose. It's not just the small rash area itself – its magic ability is to somehow radiate pain via lots of nerve endings, right across the front of the body as well. Very clever little blighter – it is billed as being 'one side of the body only' and it absolutely is – no pain heads left from it, as its back on my right hip, but it all comes forward. A virus with a sense of direction, who knew..
Anyway – apart from the discomfort, it's also been very annoying as I've had to cancel the second meetings with my new Age UK old ladies – Jo and Maureen, who I only finally met in person a week before we went to Cornwall. I'm now having to do phone calls only, as the elderly are a risk group for shingles, so I have to steer clear. They are very different to each other and I'm really hoping to get to know each of them much better when we are face to face again. Both said 'oh I was really looking forward to your visit' which just cuts you in the heart, so hopefully next week may be an option.
Another major bummer was having to postpone my COVID booster jab as its not a good idea to stick one virus into you when another one is wreaking havoc already. So H went on Monday and I am having to bide my time – boo!
The only upside to all this is that my very lovely sister in law Mel and H's bro Tim sent me a delicious-looking box of Lola's brownies to perk me up – 6 large sticky chocolate monsters of different flavours – clearly gagging to be tried with a cuppa later today! V v kind idea – thank you! x