Down with Herpes

I am down with herpes!

Went to see the doctor on Monday for a very bad backache which I had been having since last Thursday. Thought that it was a slip-disc (haha) but the doctor noticed the bit of rash on the skin and said, "I think you have herpes."

"Herpeees?" I said, horrified. Isn't that a sexually-transmitted disease? I thought.

The doctor read my thoughts and clarified, "It's shingles."

Apparently, shingles is like chicken pox redux. It's something you get when you are under stress and your immunity is low. What happens is that the affected skin area will break up in blisters and you get this torturous pain in that region because it affects the nerves. It can be passed to other people through skin contact or air.

The doctor gave me an mc for the rest of the week. Contemplated staying in office to finish some work but my dear paranoid colleague LG said curtly, "I have chicken pox before. I might get your shingles. You better go home." And to show that she was sympathetic, she added "Haha" with absolutely no humour in her tone.

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A few weeks ago, was working with LG in a meeting room on the 18th floor of a building when we heard some splashing sounds on the window. We looked up and saw 2 Bangladeshi workers standing precariously on a platform washing the window. Paranoid LG said to me, "Damn, they might be able to look in and see my notes," and proceeded to cover up the work papers before her while looking very annoyed. Was so utterly stunned that I forgot to hide the "Are you insane?" look on my face.

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Anyway, I am working at home now. Liyun and the children are staying put at my in-laws' and I miss them badly. Supposed to be doing work but ended up spending most of the time watching The 70s Show, so much so that the television went bonkers an hour ago and refused to project any image. Maybe that's also God's way of saying, "No more TV for you!"

So, I am now sitting in the living room with a headache typing this and thinking of the huge amount of work I have to finish, and the amount of washing I will have to do over the weekend (for the bed sheets, clothes, etc.) to clean up the germs. Am also thinking of washing the curtains (which have never been washed since we moved in 5 years ago).

Oh well... Better get started then.