Photos

The pictures are kinda washed-out.  The rash looks much more bright red in reality and there are large white blisters near my midline on both my front and back (they're hard to see in the photos).  I'm told eventually the entire rash will blister, pop, crust over, and peel off.

Since the antivirals I'm on are hard on the kidneys (go figure), I went back to the BMT clinic yesterday for lab work and to re-evaluate my shingles.  My creatinine came back at 1.53, which isn't great but acceptable.  The doctor started me back on Gabapentin (Neurontin), which should help with the generalized abdominal pain I have.  She also switched me to a Fentanyl patch.  It'll provide constant pain medication instead of having to take pills every 3 hours.  I was started on a low dose and so far all it seems to do is make me drowsy.  I'm still taking Dilaudid every 4-5 hours to manage the pain.  Between the two it covers it well, but being on strong narcotics isn't ideal, the combination of the two basically leaves me stoned.  It's better than being in pain, but I'm hoping Tuesday, when I meet with Dr. Oran, we can work something better out so I don't spend my days in such a dug-induced fog.

Meet the Family

Say hello to Baxter.  IRael and I adopted him from the Humane Society on Saturday.  He's an 11-month-old black lab mix with a tail that is curly like a spring.  He is such a sweetheart and will climb over anything to come cuddle by your side.  It's been fun learning what he likes and figuring out his personality.  He came to the Society as a stray, so he's like a blank slate - they had no background information on him, but it's apparent he's been neglected (you can see in the picture some scratches/worn fur on his nose, we think from an over-tight muzzle).  He doesn't quite know how to react to some of his new treats and toys, although he's quickly learning they're his to be enjoyed.

He is incredibly well-behaved, loves everyone he has met, and plays well with other dogs at the park.  IRael and I are lucky to have found such a sweet dog and are glad he seems to be adjusting well to his new home.  I love having an animal around again, his companionship over just the past few days has been a boost for my sometimes lonely spirits.  We're looking forward to many great years with such a handsome, loving canine.

Call Me "House" Kempfert....

...because I'm covered in shingles.  D'oh.

So Monday I woke up with a small patch of irritated skin on my right side of my belly.  I didn't think much of it.  Yesterday I woke up feeling ill and the patch had grown and become very painful, but I still didn't think much of it.  Today I woke up, the patch had grown more and was still extremely painful, even without touching.  After much nagging (thanks IRael...) I called my nurse and she recommended I come get it checked out.  Turns out I have shingles.

Shingles is caused by the Varicella-zoster virus, the same that causes chickenpox.  I had chickenpox as a kid, and after the body fights off the virus the first time it doesn't completely disappear.  Instead it lies dormant in nerve endings, waiting for an opportune time to re-emerge.  If it does it isn't called chickenpox, it's called shingles.  So it is quite common for it to appear in patients who are immune compromised.  It causes painful skin lesions, flu-like symptoms, and, in extreme cases, organ damage, blindness or deafness (if it affects the nerves in the eyes or ears).

I've never had my skin hurt like these shingles lesions hurt.  It feels like stabbing knives all along the affected area, and that's when there is no contact.  Wearing a shirt is almost unbearable, such little pressure increases the pain dramatically.  The doctor I saw today started me on an anti-viral to combat the infection and gave me a strong painkiller to help relieve my suffering.  I've had an upset stomach all day too.  Unfortunately she said it will probably get more uncomfortable before it gets better, which can take two or three weeks.  There isn't much else that can be done. They can give me different painkillers if the dilaudid doesn't work.

My appointment with Dr. Oran yesterday was rescheduled for next Tuesday.  So I haven't heard any of my test results yet.