Facing one's mortality is never easy. As I have gotten older I seem to measure my life in increments of ten, forecasting what's to come in the decades that I hope still lay ahead of me. Recent events, from Terri Schiavo, to the Pope's passing, and even the disclosure of Peter Jennings' lung cancer are constant reminders that we are all just decaying vessels from the day we are born — and that's if we are one of the lucky ones.
I have always been vigilant in keeping my children healthy, making every effort to weigh normal childhood illnesses against possibly severe infections — I generally tend to favor the overly protective route. With each new passing virus and infection, I am becoming my own expert on what needs a doctor's attention and what needs Tylenol and rest. My win-loss percentage is about 90% on the accurate side. But this week I learned that neglecting my own health is as serious as neglecting my children's, for without my vitality intact, I am not able to do my job in maintaining theirs.
Despite having Lily vaccinated for chicken pox, she was exposed (most likely due to other neglectful parents) and happened to be one of the 10 to 20% of the population who had a breakthrough infection. Her case was mild, barely registering a blip on her radar screen and a handful of itchy spots — but causing great alarm to me. I have never had chicken pox and was never vaccinated; worse yet, I knew I was vulnerable and chose to do nothing, assuming that I was invincible and would never be in contact with it.
Stupid me.
Upon finding out that I had been exposed to this sometimes lethal virus (especially in adults, even those who are quite healthy), I went through various stages. Anger at the parents who allowed their child to expose my child, denial that I had been stupid in not taking care of this, giving in to be sick, and finally deciding to fight back even if my efforts were futile.
I spoke with my sister, who had unfortunately also been exposed as an adult and did contract the virus. She was what set the wheels in motion. She explained that she became deathly ill, missed six weeks of work, was horribly uncomfortable, and had to be admitted twice to the hospital for possible pneumonia — fortunately she survived, but she made it clear that I was not to just sit there and wait for the bomb to go off.
Article comments
1 - bhw
Dawn, a good story about a disease that most people think is harmless. It's not for kids -- some still die every year from it -- and it's extremely painful and dangerous for adults. I hope there is no pox upon you!
I had the chicken pox when I was ten, and it was brutal. Those fuckers were all over my body, inside my mouth, on the top of my head ... it was awful for a few days. But, as most kids do, I got over it in about a week.
My kids have been vaccinated. In MA, all children who attend day care have to be vaccinated by 18 mos. and all children who enter public school have to be vaccinated. Even so, a classmate of my daughter's had chicken pox last year -- he was one of those cases where the vaccine didn't work. Luckily, no one else in her class caught it.
But my husband has never had the chicken pox and has even gone so far as to have an antibody test done, which showed that he has no immunity to it.
And yet he has not gotten the vaccine, even though he knows the horror stories. I've told him he's going to have to call his mother to take care of him if he ever comes down with it, because I won't!
Oh, and another bad thing for adults who get the chicken pox: it's often followed immediately by a rousing case of the shingles, which is even worse that the pox.
2 - Dawn
Oh bhw, tell please tell him to get the vaccine, it's not a big deal and he will be glad he did.
If I do get sick you can be sure I will chronicle every miserable fucking minute of it and you can point him to it as a warning.
Thanks for the goodwill, we all appreciate it, as Eric doesn't want to take care of me either.
3 - bhw
Thanks, Dawn ... usually, my nagging is more effective than it has been in this case!
4 - Eric Olsen
very important caution and very well presented - I didn't realize how much this is troubling you inside. I'm very glad you got the vaccine and at least have a plan if you see any symptoms. I'm praying for us all