By Roberta McReynolds

Sitting in the examination room and feeling absolutely wretched, I glumly listened as the doctor explained, "Chicken pox is the ‘gift’ that just keeps giving."

It was bad enough when I became infected with this childhood disease at the age of 25. While I was suffering through that humiliation to my self-image, I had no inkling that in the remote future it could rear its nefarious head again as shingles. That was a malady that I, still an innocent youth, knew nothing about.

Nurse, 16th Century portrayed by the Swiss illustrator, Warja Honegger-Lavater, from authentic costume reproductions in the University of Rome's Institute of Medical History. Wikimedia Commons

Until recently, I was also unaware that a person could get shingles on the face. It usually occurs on, but is not limited to: the back, shoulder, side, stomach and/or thigh. By the way, if you notice any typos as you are reading, please be gentle and forgiving; my right eye is nearly swollen shut. Those of you who happen to be fans of ‘reality television’ may appreciate the fact that I am documenting my experience in real time.

Just in case anyone considers this topic is not relatable, keep this in mind. Over 95% of the population in this country will be infected with the varicella zoster virus (VZV) during their lifetime, meaning that they are at risk of getting shingles. 

There are several reliable websites that provide information pertaining to shingles, including photographs (caution: they are quite graphic and not for those prone to fainting). I’ll leave the medical details and advice to the experts, aside from the fact that the virus which causes chicken pox resides in your body forever. It remains dormant until something triggers it, and then it reactivates in the form of shingles. Stress and/or a weakened immune system are often thought to be possible culprits in the process. Since aging tends to go hand-in-hand with a gradually fading resistance to illness, it makes sense that the likelihood of getting shingles tends to strike people age 60 and over.

In a cruel twist of fate, I developed the first symptoms of shingles just 23 days after my 60^th birthday; merely weeks after I became old enough to obtain the shingles vaccine. I knew about this vaccine, because my husband got it a few years ago. It was on my radar to ask for it at my next annual physical. What an insult to injury! Did my warranty just expire?

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