SHINGLES?!!! You Mean Like ROOF Shingles Right?

Before, I only thought of shingles as something on the top of roof. Now, I have to take yet another look at the word and add the new definition to my growing vocabulary. Why would they name it shingles? Oh my. People get scared of you when you say you have Shingles and they don't even know what it means. I was scared of me until I researched it somewhat.

Who gets Shingles? Not me. I thought. Well, come to find out I am a perfect candidate for the illness. First off, you have to have had chicken pox before. I had them in my 20's. I caught them while babysitting my wonderful, lovely and little at the time, niece Heather. I told everyone I had never had the chickenpox before and they all said...sure you have or you won't catch it! I think they really needed a babysitter...LOL. It's okay sis, I love you still and always. Anyway, after having the chickenpox, the virus lies inactive or dormant in your nerves. Years later, the virus may be reactivated. Well, come to find out, a low immune system can cause the virus to be reactivated. I .... being on chemo....have a lowered immunity. Therefore, my little virus has raised it's ugly head again after 20 years.

Here is part of the definition of shingles that I picked up from the Mayo Clinic. I don't want you to be scared of me, I want you to be aware of me.

Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. Also known as herpes zoster, it often appears as a band of blisters that wraps from the middle of your back around one side of your chest to your breastbone. Other parts of your body can be involved as well, including your neck, face or scalp.

The pain of shingles can be excruciating, and the cause might not be immediately evident. But once the telltale rash and blisters start on one side of your body, it's more easily identified as shingles.

Shingles isn't a life-threatening condition, but it can be very painful. Sometimes, the rash leads to a debilitating complication called postherpetic neuralgia. This condition causes the skin to remain painful and sensitive to touch for months or even years after the rash clears up.