Mystery Diagnosis

My kids love this show. Me? Not so much. As a parent, it horrifies me to think of the many terrible diseases and conditions that could befall my children. Let alone myself.

Over the years, we've suffered our share of strange illnesses. Staph infections in a newborn, a kindergartner with mono, strep that would not go away in a second grader. I've taken my kids to cardiologists, dermatologists, endocrinologists, ENT's, opthamologists, psychologists, etc. Three kids with various oddities over the past 21 years of parenthood. Fortunately, most of the issues were resolved without too many complications and they are healthy teens and 20-somethings.

So, when my son developed a rash on Christmas Eve day, I didn't panic at first, even though it was the size of a fist and blistering. The next day, it was worse and had spread up his leg. I won't lie to you - it was disturbing and disgusting. Flesh-eating bacteria came to mind. And it being a holiday and then the weekend wasn't helping my panic mode.

On Monday, I called the dermatologist, but there was an eight day wait, so instead, I got him a same day appointment at the pediatrician. By this point, he was limping, as the rash was on the back of his knee, making it painful to bend his leg.

Any guesses as to the mystery illness? Well, it was certainly not something that ever crossed my mind. Shingles! My 16 year old managed to develop shingles! How wack is that? The doctor said of the hundreds of patients she sees per year, she only comes across one or two that get it. Oddly enough, my son had the most mild case of chicken pox at age five months, having had only about eight pox on his entire body. At least we are now assured he doesn't need the vaccine.

Happy New Year..........may yours be a healthy one!