Ryan had chicken pox as a child. It was back in May of 1994, if I recall. He was just five years old. I remember it well because Sue told me while I was in Duluth, GA on a job interview for a company transfer. I was standing at a gasoline station pay phone (remember those?) when she broke the news. I made my way to the airport immediately and got on the next available flight back home.
The appearance of Ryan’s “shingles” as of last night.
I tell you this because it seems that virus has resurfaced in the form of shingles. We’re not one-hundred percent certain. It was preliminarily diagnosed by a text message photograph that I sent to the doctor. Just to play it safe and treat it, Ryan was put on a medication to suppress the virus. He takes it four times a day for five days.
If that’s not enough, he developed an infection in his right eye yesterday afternoon. His eye doctor, Dr. Hinkle, had us put him on a cocktail of antibiotic drops for the eyes and will be here this morning to get a better look.
Getting those eye drops was an adventure in itself. It took us going to three different pharmacies to get what we needed. Oh, and Medicare wouldn’t pay for it after our insurance was applied. Seems I forgot to get the necessary pre-approval by sending in my left testicle. This is something that is happening more-and-more. The simple truth is, it occurs with such frequency now that being denied is the norm. We just expect it. Then, when they will pay, the doctor/pharmacy doesn’t accept it (because they would lose money). Do you see the problem here?
It’s the junk bond of healthcare.
In the end it didn’t matter. We needed to get the medications. Stat! So we handed over our credit card and cursed the flawed failed healthcare system in my country, remembering the good ole’ days when these program’s coverage meant something. Our government here in the United States botched this. Every administration and session of congress, dating back at least to the 1950’s, is not free of blame. Oh well, this isn’t the place for me to share my thoughts on this. I purposely stay away from political debate on this site. It is, however, okay to let you see how it affects us now. My warning to you? Don’t get sick or injured. Especially a longterm condition.
I’ll just leave it there.
Dang it. Is he obviously uncomfortable?
double ugh!
Saying prayers…
So sorry to hear about the shingles. They can be so painful. Praying that all goes well.
Sending Prayers!!!!!
adding insult to injury. ugh that just sucks. hope the virus clears up quickly and that his eye improves just as quickly. thinking of you all.
Sorry to hear that Ryan has to fight two things (virus & infection) at one time. We all wish that the road for Ryan would become smoother. He gets his strength from you, Sue and Kari.
Crap. I hope that Ryan isn’t in too much discomfort and that the expensive meds clear up both infections quickly (although I know that herpes virus never really goes away for good).
Prayers for Ryan to get over both viruses/infections soon. I know how frustrating it is to deal with insurance for random visits. I can’t even begin to imagine what you must face with the insurance company on a regular basis. Not that it means anything coming from me, but I want to remind you what a great dad you are. Keep up the good work!
Oh, no! Shingles sucks! Been there, but thank God for the med that should nip it and be the end of those painful, itchy blisters. I also had a horrendous headache and felt just awfhad itul. Poor guy, hate hearing this! I was about 65 when I had shingles. I advise anyone to get the vaccine,especially those older than, let’s say 40. My brother was a little older than this.
Ryan is always in my prayers, as all of you are. Love.
BTW, did you update to Express Scripts as of Jan. 1 at your pharmacy? This is the Medicare pres. Plan.
Ken, Hoping both infections clear up fast .A double whammy is not what Ryan needs.You or Sue either ..Always praying for you all
Love gail
Saying prayers for our boy! Not fair at all – and you’re right, the healthcare system….don’t get me started. I, too, have had shingles. Twice. Once at 18 when it wasn’t all that bad (no pain to speak of). But I had it about 5-6 years ago and the pain was excruciating. Hopefully Ryan isn’t in any discomfort and they are able to get this under control quickly. Sending love/hugs from across town.
Hi Ken, I’m sorry you had to go through all that trouble to get the eyedrops. Sigh. I remember when I was young the docs would freely order all kinds of tests — even then it seemed excessive. But what did I care — I was young. Then someone told me some doctors did that to get more $$. Oh — well — ok. Then someone else told me the insurance companies started cutting back on what they’d pay for. Someone else said too many people go to the dr. who don’t need to, and back about 20 years ago I noticed a lot of folks were using the ER as a regular doctor’s office because they didn’t have their own doc. One time I took one of my kids to a “Minute Clinic” on a Sunday morning and when his regular dr. found out, they didn’t seem happy about it — implying that the care wasn’t adequate. I thought it was alright and it was better than going to the ER. Our country has had plenty of kids and adults who could not get adequate medical treatment. So they suffered and died. This is a complex, multi layered problem — it’s almost like economics — so many factors, all interrelated. Lots of finger pointing too. That’s because it involves money — and who is going to get the biggest share of it — and people who cannot afford to pay because of x, y and z (fill in the blank). I know you don’t have a lot of time to ponder this kind of thing, but I would sure love to hear any solutions you might have. I’ve been trying to figure it out for years. And by the way, I share your opinion in that this is a longstanding problem that has evolved over decades — one that never seems to garner a “fair” solution. Sorry for the tangent, I’d just love to know what you think about it.
Sending you my love, positive thoughts and prayers. Please give Ryan a hug for me and tell him I hope he feels better soon. Hugs, Paula
p.s. This could possibly be a signficant factor in your future endeavors — maybe?
Glad he is on meds – Shingles is very painful! Hope all goes well and quickly!
I’m sorry, Ken. Praying for you all today — for quick healing for Ryan’s eyes and the shingles. I will be waiting to hear how he is doing.
felt just awful. Don’t like replying on mobile devices because I can’t see what I have written, not all of it anyway. I hope and pray that Ryan doesn’t have shingles in his eye! Where did the blisters begin? Lots of info on medical websites. It is a very serious disease requiring rest and plenty of fluids. I would ask Dr. Rod if Ryan should be working up a sweat with the Fes cycle or really take it easy. My Physician required that I take it easy for about 2-4 weeks — not kidding, this is serious.
Developed on his right side.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001861/ This has about the most complete information, Ken and Sue. There are many others, of course, but this one worked best for me. Love and prayers.
I am sure you and everyone else already knows that anyone with a virus infection should not have aspirin, only Tylenol or NSAIDS, because of the possibility of Rye’s Syndrome. I have just been informed by my physician that this includes us older folks! Who knew!
Ken,
Sorry to hear about Ryan’s latest infections. Of course you are on top of it, and so praying and believing it is another bump in the road of his progress, and for full recovery. I am so sorry you have to walk through this.
noo! not shingles! and he’s been thru so much with his eyes … hope God-who-loves-us-best takes those awful things away miraculously fast! and that they be super-mild in the meantime.
I just added a picture to today’s post showing the rash.
Thanks for the photo. Yes, I would venture to say this is shingles. Sometimes the blisters get really big, but once I began the med, I didn’t get any more. I am so glad you check Ryan out from head to toe, and the condition didn’t go undetected for several days. He would have been in big trouble! I didn’t get any shingles on my face, but some folks that I know did. Sometimes it progressed into the eye and lasted for many months! Ryan is young for shingles, but his situation is different, of course. Thinking of you. (this is the only place I could get this post to be submitted. (?) could be me…
Praying for Ryan!!!
uh oh…….
Eyes look much better tonight, but rash looks worse.
🙁 hope the shingles go away soon, I know they are miserable to endure. Hugs and prayers!