They said I need to de-stress!

Two weekends ago after returning from a whirlwind trip to Tallahassee I was feeling tired and had developed a small 2-inch spot on my side that itched.  It turned into a little rash (gross, I know, but a needed detail for the story).  Then, another spot showed up on my back about 3 inches from the first one.  I had a couple of mosquito bites so I assumed that was the cause.  Went to the dermatologist after 3 days of no change all to find out I have SHINGLES!
This is disgusting to me!  Just saying the word shingles is gross.  From what I have learned in the past 7 days of googling and webMD'ing:

• we all carry the virus if we've had chickenpox, 
• it lasts 3-4 weeks, 
• you normally don't get a recurrence, 
• and it usually attacks those who are stressed, HIV+, cancer stricken, or 60+ yrs old.  

I am a natural headcase when it comes to illness and disease.  And, though the dermatologist reassured me that this is becoming increasingly common in under 60 yr olds...I'm just not convinced.  I am going to have real bloodwork done, but for now, the itching has stopped, the rash has started to heal, and all that I am left with is fatigue.  Pregnancy comparable afternoon fatigue.

John has pretended to have handled this news well.  I can tell by his eyes when he says, "You're fine.  Stop being so neurotic!" that he only 50% believes it.  That also freaks me out.  Nothing bothers him,  nothing usually involves my self-diagnosed ailment of the week.  But, given that I know he is genuinely more concerned than he is letting on I tried to take him seriously last week with his 'don't over-exert' directive. That was until 18 hours after my diagnosis at about 8AM on Thursday morning.  I tried the whole stay home, don't run out to the gym, relax thing.  John said I had to, the doctor said I had to, the nurse assisting her stopped me on the way out last Wednesday and said "You HAVE to slow down!".  What the hell do they know???  I have three kids 6, 4, & 2.  Does anyone really know what kind of activity level that requires to be an adequate (not even above standard) parent?!?!?!  Regardless, I tried it Thursday morning.  All that we had to do was get Dylan to football camp by 9AM, and here's how it went:

At 7:30 AM we had 60 minutes to go before leave time to get Dylan to football camp.  I woke up Dylan, and he was less than cordial.  At 7:45 I was force feeding eggs and pancakes into all 3 kids' mouths.  By 8:00 I was doing the frantic 1-mile circle in my small house chasing kids with t-shirts, shorts, and socks trying to get them dressed.  (Luckily, I was not 'allowed' to go to the gym so my attire was not a concern...effort and stress saved there, right?)  Then, the chaos ensued.  While I was helping Dylan with his new shoe-tying skill Olivia spit in Grayson's face.  I had to stop with D's shoes and send O to timeout.  Then Grayson seized the opportunity and walked up to Olivia (captive in timeout) and spit in her face.  He was sent to timeout too, until he had to go potty.  (Grayson was half-naked and is about half-potty trained so I let him go.)  Then, I go back to helping Dylan while Olivia's timeout clock ticks on the microwave.  Olivia is yelling at me asking if timeout is done, Dylan is begging for my undivided attention, and now Grayson is screaming for my help.  I realized that he only needs help in the potty for #2.  Then, I realize (far too slowly) that he doesn't remember to sit for #2....HERE HE COMES!!! Through the carpeted hallway, poop down his leg, on my carpet, and under his feet.  I walk into the bathroom and see poop EVERYWHERE because he basically just pooped standing on the stool trying to pee.  AWESOME!!!  Olivia's timer is up, she wants out of timeout.  She gets up and steps in the poop on the carpet, the dog comes in and does what dogs do with poop (you get it, i won't go there)...and poor Dylan is still on the floor waiting for more help with his shoes.  Grayson needs a bath, Olivia needs a foot scrubbing, and the bathroom needs to be sanitized. 

Sure.....I will destress.  It's was on the to-do list, but had to be reprioritized behind a successful morning with one easy goal: football camp by 9:00 AM.