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Friday, December 21, 2012

The Apoxalypse: Or, How I Got a Week Off Without Even Trying

Soooo... I thought I would blog today, and as it turns out I typed this post a *while* back (*cough*October*cough) and apparently forgot to hit publish.  *facepalm*  Story of my life.  Also, since today is apparently the End of the World, I thought my post about the Apoxalypse would be appropriate.  Enjoy. 
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Ah the chicken pox.  Probably the most common childhood disease ever, and one that most everyone gets by the time they're 7.  Except me.  Because I like to be different.

I very clearly and very distinctly a visit with my pediatrician when I was very young.  My mother was talking to him about the chicken pox and how I had be exposed to not one, but three, different kids with them and hadn't gotten them.  Not one spot.  He told my mother and I that some people, like myself, are immune to them, and in addition I would probably never have cold sores or the like either.  I went on to have a happy, pox and cold sore-free childhood, which continued well into my (supposedly) adult years.  Until last Thursday.

I woke up feeling...off.  I was achey, woozy, and pretty certain I had a fever.  "Ah, the flu," I thought, "great..."  And so, I called in sick.  Friday, same thing, only I had what I thought was a couple little bug bites that were slightly itchy.  Saturday, I woke up, went in to take a shower, looked at myself and said, "Oh. my. God." and then I swore for a little bit.  I was covered in tiny, red, awful-looking spots from head to toe.  Seriously?  I'm 28, I thought I had safely made it past the point where I wouldn't have this problem.  That's what happens when you get too sassy I suppose.  So I emailed my boss, talked to my doctor, and was officially quarantined to the house until all my spots fall off.

I was mad about it for a little while, but it's really so ridiculous it's hard to be mad for too long. At the end of the first day I had decided in the spirit of Halloween I would dub my disease the apoxalypse, settle in, and just try to make the most of my time at home.

So far the best use of my time has been playing Left 4 Dead 2 with some friends of mine, because, as they so nicely put it, "You can shoot the Infected while you become one.  It's all very poetic."  I have such good friends.

I still haven't had any cold sores (knock on wood), and I hope to keep it that way.  But the lesson learned here is never say never.

2 comments:

Cin said...

Just wanted to let you know that I came across your blog today and it is hilarious! Thanks for making me laugh and inspiring me to rethink my method of dress.

Anonymous said...

I had chicken pox as a kid and thought that was the 'it' of it for me. However, a few months ago I contracted Shingles. OMG I have never felt such pain! And mine was mild. Although I waited a week before seeking the help of my doctor (making the antibiotic supposedly less effective, -should seek help within first 3-days of symptoms) I got over it within a week.
I learned that the pain (which is akin to having scalding hot water tossed onto your shirted back, -and continuing to WEAR the now steaming shirt.) I wrote about it in detail, if you will permit to plug the link here:

Shingles: The Second Coming of Chicken Pox

Thanks!