Shingles

Last week, I noticed a red mark, almost like a pimple on Mike's back around his waistline. Instead of going away, it got bigger and started to spread. I was concerned, so I called his medicaid insurance carrier and they arranged for a visiting nurse to check it out. She came yesterday and believes that Mike has the shingles.

He had them once before back in 2004 when he was in the pysch. hospital for medication adjustment. The nurse explained that they can be brought about by stressful situations. When she said it, it hit me like a ton of bricks. Nathan was gone for 3 weeks because of his back injury. Could Mike have actually realized that he was gone and that his schedule was different? Could he have been stressed out because of it? I definitely think so. I also think that him not feeling well and having the pain of shingles, could have contributed to the "S" he had on Tuesday.

Once again the difficulties brought on by this disease rears it's ugly head. Even though Mike cannot communicate verbally, does not mean he does not understand.