Late Bloomer

Yes, you read it right. I am such a real late bloomer for chickenpox. Just 3 weeks before turning 29 years old, I contracted the much-feared varicella virus. One of the symptoms was body malaise. Last Friday, I did not understand myself, particularly my body, why I was feeling weak. My joints especially my knees, were wobbly and quite painful. Even adding a cup over my daily cup of coffee was not helpful. I pitied my son who had to endure playing alone or watching tv alone, just because his Mommy was "busy" sleeping in bed. After my graduate school classes last Saturday, I also drank an extra cup of coffee. It also did not help. I slept again silly, even before my son's bedtime.

Last Sunday, I decided to make up for lost time with my son. We rented a tricyle and availed of the driver's services so that we can "tour" the town's pier, market, bay walk park, freedom park and nature park. We took some cute pictures. We also had a sumptuous lunch with my granddad and my grand uncle. It was practically a seafood feast. Knowing that I was seafood allergic, my mom reminded me not to eat anything that will cause me rashes, skin asthma, and whatever nightmares associated with allergies. The little devil in me tempted me to tasted just a small slice of squid. Sure enough, I have added it to my plate and consumed it along with some fish, vegetables and mangoes. I did not miss taking my prednisone tablet after the meal.

Some two hours later, I felt an itch in my lower back area. There was the urge to scratch it but I got curious of its appearance so I checked it in the mirror. Lo and behold! It seemed like a chickenpox red rash (small blister). I called my mom to check it for me. She confirmed it. I got the chickenpox. I had the symptom of body malaise and it was just the squid, which triggered the rash.

I was always vulnerable to catch it. For the last 29 years of my life, I was not able to get the varicella vaccine shot. My mom currently has shingles, a disease caused by the Herpes zoster virus. My eleven year old sister just recently contracted chickenpox. After all, the varicella virus is airborne. No matter how hard I tried not to catch it, I was really susceptible to get it. I was not like my son who got his varicella vaccine shot when he turned a year old. Even if he did, I reversely isolated him in our room. His main caregiver right now is his nanny. She is really a stay-out nanny who goes home every night at 6pm. Because of my current condition, she agreed to do stay-in services the whole day for a week or two, for an extra pay.

So, here I am on the 3rd day of nursing myself. The low fever has gone last Monday, but I am still suffering from rash and blisters all over my face. Some are in my chest, shoulders and back. There are very few in my legs and hands. I researched that as the disease progresses, the blisters break open and form scabs, which fall off after about one to two weeks. So, how will I be able to cope with the scabs, and scars later on?