Shingles

I think it's peaked, but the last week or so has been fraught with weirdnesses...and pain. I finally realized it was ANOTHER bout of shingles!

It's gotten to where I attribute everything to my heart condition. So when my feet & toes went numb I figured it was poor circulation. Maybe so, but as the fierceness of the burning in the thighs subsides, sensation is returning to my feet. And the hip pain, so bad at times it hurt to stand, is also slowly diminishing.

Reviewing my post from last time, March 17, 2022, I had some of the same symptoms.

The fatigue is the weirdest. I'd forgotten how exhausted I felt throughout the several weeks the last episode lasted. Then too, I blamed it on inadequate circulation. Now, as I feel a bit of strength returning, I'm thinking maybe I will enter that 10k triathalon.

Sea of Cat Claw

So dense youse gotta do it in the road

Years ago, while researching desert ascetics, I read about a goat farmer near Cascabel. He'd built a platform with shade and invited folks to come there to contemplate. He sold goat milk and meat. 

He's been dead a while, but I've wanted to go see. Cascabel is due north of Benson, AZ.

It was near dark when leaving Benson and threatening rain. Rather than wander into the unknown, I went south, past St. David to a campspot that's so gnarly the only traffic is Border Patrol. 

Now, five days later, I'm still bed-ridden by the pain from the herpes zoster (shingles). Yesterday, with my last dose of oxycodone, I washed dishes, my hair and boiled some eggs, but I'm now down to half a liter of water.

The pain has been worse this morning, as if my thigh has been scalded. Any movement, the slightest touch of fabric, is enough to wrest a cry from even my stoic lips.

They sent a new prescription for oxy to the Walmart in Benson, but I need to get packed and it's a long drive. Fortunately, it's warm enough to go without clothes...until Walmart.

Though not a believer, I suspect my karma was tainted that time I was late with Smith's dinner.

Shingles

Once in a while things get difficult. My left knee started having twinges. Then, the sciatica, dormant for two years, reignited with a vengeance making it hard to walk even a few steps.

The burning sensation was so bad it hurt to lay my thigh atop the other. I've never had an outbreak like this and attributed it to brushing against some plant while pantsless in the wilds. Finally though, when I could barely make it to the bathroom, it was time to touch base with my physician. If there's a benefit from Covid, it's that the medical community is more comfortable communicating electronically.

Now, two days after starting avalcyclovir augmented with some oxycodone, things have quieted down and for the first time in several days I was able to get some sleep. The nausea is annoying, but I may have lost a pound...or even two!

Grosssss! 

Earlier today, March 18, I discovered Simple Living and Simple Travel's blog. This evening I chanced upon this little story. It includes superb photos of the amazing things our medical technology can accomplish, but they're not for those who are uncomfortable with human anatomy. I've not ever seen a horror movie, but this little story definitely put my "difficulty" in perspective.