Chicken Pox

If you've ever heard that adults get chicken pox worse than kids, let me just say - It's True! My handsome hubby is proof!

On Wednesday of last week Ron was feeling pretty yucky. He had flu like symptoms and just over all felt yuck, additionally he had what appeared to be blisters in his mouth. Then Wednesday evening we noticed a small little blister on his wrist. He thought it was from his watch rubbing. By Thursday morning he couldn't get out of bed. He was very weak and extremely miserable. I got him an appointment and by the time he got dressed to go to the doctor, he had blisters all over his chest. The doctor confirmed the diagnosis and started him on an antiviral and a pain medication. We came home and he spent the day on the couch, feeling crappy.

He didn't sleep much at all on Thursday night and by Friday morning things had gotten much worse. He had blisters developing very rapidly but the worst was chest pain. He was complaining of some serious chest pain. I was concerned and called the doctor again. I wanted to make sure this was something normal. The doctor was also concerned and wanted to see him right away for an EKG. So back to the doctor we went!

The EKG was normal and it was determined that the blisters were not only in his mouth, but down his esophagus and in his stomach. Yuck!

So home again with different meds and advice that we will need to allow this nasty virus to run it's course.

The rest of the day Ron spent on the couch and even the night. I slept in the chair nearby as he was so weak. Needless to say, neither of us got much sleep. If he had improved at all on Friday, (and that's a big IF) by morning things were once again worse. This time he was unable to keep anything, including meds down. He couldn't stand without my help and was very unsteady when he did get up!

It was early Saturday morning, but I knew I couldn't get through the day without help. I called Ron's mom and asked if she was still willing to come. She got on the road right away. Then I called Cathy, a very good friend, and asked her for help. I needed to get the kids out of the house - Ron was complaining of a bad headache and they were not helping it at all. Cathy took the kids to her house and about 30 minutes later I took Ron to the ER. He still couldn't keep anything down and he was so weak.

We were taken back right away and the doctor order a chest x-ray, blood work and got him started in an IV with pain and nausea meds. Ron was really out of it and couldn't answer any questions they were asking - it was very scary! Before long the pain meds helped him relax and finally get some sleep and the fluids helped too. The doctor said he was very dehydrated. The chest x-ray was clear and proved there were no blisters in his lungs (thank the Lord), the blood work checked out OK too. We were at the hospital for several hours, but by the time we were going home Ron was much improved. He was able to talk in complete sentences to the doctor and although he couldn't walk all the way to the van, he was looking much better.

We got home, and got settled before his mom arrived and the kids came back too. Just in time for me to collapse!

On Thursday when Ron was diagnosed, we decided I would do my best to fill his shoes on Sunday at our churches. After our Friday night and Saturday, I knew there was no way I could be prepared! We have some wonderful lay leaders and speakers that were willing to step up at the very last minute! I'm so thankful for our church family!

Sunday morning I took the kids and after missing 3 weeks was finally able to return to church -it wasn't the same though with Ron missing. Frances (Ron's mom) stayed with him. There was small improvement on Sunday, but still not able to keep food down. He was still so weak. We wonder now if perhaps the reaction was due to all the medication. Ron isn't big on meds, so when he does take them he tends to react pretty strongly.

Then Monday again there was still small improvement. A lot of head, neck and shoulder pain, which made us wonder if there were more internal pox that were causing it. He still couldn't get comfortable to sleep much, but we slowly began to see him improve.

Today again was small improvement. Tonight he is complaining of some sharp pains in his leg (we'll wait to diagnosis that)! He is however off the couch and onto the chair tonight for the first time in 5 days, and even attempting to read the paper as I type this!

We are thankful for small improvements and thankful that although it has been a very hard, emotional and painful couple of days - Jesus has protected Ron from serious long term injuries! He will recover from this and we are thankful!

There are mixed diagnosis as to where Ron got the chicken pox. Some doctors say that I could have given it to him, from the shingles. Other doctors say it would be a first they have seen in their careers. We have heard of other cases of chicken pox going around right now (even though it is not the typical season), but will probably never really know whether it was coincidence or I am the first EVER to give my husband chicken pox! (Not somthing I am proud of)!

The kids seem to be clear so far. The older 2 have both had 2 immunizations and should be fine. The younger 2 have had 1 of 2, so they too should be OK. It is possible for any of them to get them, but not likely that it will be bad or perhpas even that we will know if they do!

We aren't sure why we have been under attack as far as our health is concerned, but we are very ready to be healthy and have all 6 of us healthy!

I'll keep you posted as we continue to heal in the Adkins Home!