A Body Knows

About two months ago I abandoned my exercise and healthy eating regime. With all that was happening, I just couldn't keep the routine going, and I have to have a set routine to keep my discipline. I thought to myself that I would return to it after the holidays and that some time off wouldn't make that much of a difference. But, my body thought differently.

We spent the weekend before Christmas in Colorado Springs, total time spent driving was 24 hours, total time spent sleeping was 12 hours (over three days). I thought I was doing pretty well keeping up the pace. My body thought differently.

We enjoyed Christmas at home and then headed for Georgia to spend the holiday week with our families. The third night there, I noticed some bumps on my back. No one seemed to know what they were so we guessed that maybe Troy's little dog, Betty, may of had some fleas that had found their way to my back. (Sorry, Betty) They got a little bigger, but I really didn't think anything about them, except for the fact that they itched like crazy! A few days later, I noticed they had spread around my side and now made a neat little line straight to my belly button. At this point, I became alarmed. It was mentioned that I might have shingles, but that a doctor could only really cure the symptoms and since it was my last day in Georgia and they weren't bothering me terribly bad, I thought it would be okay to wait to go to the doctor when we returned to Arizona. My body thought differently.

By the time I got to see the doctor, I had about 100 little blisters that were tender to the touch lined up nicely around my torso. It felt like 100 little pin pricks all occurring at the same time and it hurt to sit, bend or lay down. The doctor took one look at me, and prescribed me an antiviral medication, a steroid and a topical cream treatment. Then he said I needed to rest and come see him again in two weeks.

The doctor said the outbreak was most likely due to emotional stress and being over tired. So, what did I learn from this experience? I need to seriously consider taking care of myself a top priority. I get so consumed with taking care of my family that I often put off taking care of myself. I need to sleep. My body keeps going, but obviously, the lack of rest is hurting it and my immune system. And, shockingly, I am happy to report that I also learned Matthew and AC are capable of taking care of themselves for a couple days without me. Things may not run exactly as they do under my watch, but that's okay. (And I am going to work on maintaining that attitude as one of this year's resolutions).