Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Coincidence? I think not!

Or maybe I've entered into some sadistic version of the Twilight Zone.

We woke up this morning to the sounds of a roofing company taking the roof off my neighbor's house. The demolition part is not the bad part because they aren't yet pounding nails or using the electric saws on the new sheathing that goes under the new shingles. That noisy stuff comes later after they've woken everyone in the neighborhood.

What could that possible be coincidental too, to ask? Well, yesterday I woke up in the nascent stages of what is looking to be a bad case of the Shingles. Get it? Yeah, me too, unfortunately.

Holy crap but this stuff is annoying, and itchy. And I understand that the painful part is going to begin over the next few days, and it could last for weeks. So, unfortunately, unlike the annoyance caused by my neighbor's roof job, which should be completed today, if my research is correct my Shingles are going to be with me for the next few weeks. Just what I need.

I haven't ever had this before but I did have the Chicken Pox when I was a kid. Apparently this virus lays dormant in the nerve roots for the rest of your life. It can become active again when the immune system is weakened, in times of stress, yada, yada. Perfect. I can just hear Rod Serling's voice in the background, 'He doesn't know it yet, but the Grand Poobah has just entered ... The Twilight Zone." Or maybe for me the proper term is re-entered.

Blah.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry to hear your having such difficulty and I hope your shingles episode is brief and less painful than reported. Blaze to help relax. It's what the father of our country would have done... .

I have yet to begin in earnest. Too many family responsibilities surface and they interrupt my brief progress. Yesterday, it was one of dogs that had repeated seizures along with an emergency trip to to the vet's office, and today I stayed home to watch her. Given that the normal range blood tests, it would be likely that it's a brain mass. She is a sweet dog and hard decisions lie ahead.

I have a schedule set beginning tomorrow and an office to hide in for the next six weeks. Time to buckle down or time to return to my prior practice. At this point, given the economy here the later is probably the smart move but I love living in California and I am simply amazed that I didn't pass the February bar. Just pisses me off. 41 days.

Well nice to vent. Now back to work and lets see what I can get done in 41 days. Once took a murder case from another lawyer who wasn't prepared or willing to try it (He was sure the DA would offer a plea--but none appeared) and got an acquittal with seven days preparation. We can in fact move mountains when our heart is in it. One shovel-full at a time. Good luck GP.

Anonymous said...

Seriously, this could be a sign to move on.

Anonymous said...

Whatever...this is a sign that you should continue. This is just your body telling you to take it easy.
You know a lot already.

DON'T PANIC
Everything is going to be OK

Anonymous said...

YOU CAN "NAIL" this bar!

Anonymous said...

Hey there Poohbah...I feel your pain, I have taken the exam a few times myself. Just hang in there. Good Luck.

Anonymous said...

Anon, I hate bringing my pets to the vet, hope yours is ok. It's misery when they're ill.

gp, hope your shingles clears up soon and isn't too bad. I understand there is a vaccine now.

Unknown said...

Hi GP,

I'm a NY attorney, and I also had those annoying shingles a few months back due to heightened stress and weakened immune system. It's very, very important that you get some antibiotics from your physician within 72 hours of the first outbreak; if you don't there's some chance that your nerve system might be permanently and irrevocably damaged. Once you start taking medication most symptoms (itch, pain, etc.) should subside within 3-5 days, even if the marks won't clear for many weeks to come. So, please, stop whatever you're doing and head straight to the clinic, NOW!

Best,
Godchoice

Anonymous said...

Both of the events you related can only mean one thing: Your score on the July bar will go through the roof. Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Brian, we need a report on how you are doing. Your readers want to know that you are being treated and you are back to studying.

Anonymous said...

I can commiserate with your itchy outbreak. I had an outbreak of itchy red hives during the MBE's on my third attempt at the bar exam. A prescription of topical steriodal cream did the trick, and my doctor and dermatologist agreed that it was stress induced. I ended up taking my prescription with me to the next exam, and I stopped scratching my skin raw. They also told me to stay hydrated... which is easier said than done during those 3 testing days... Good luck, I hope you are feeling better and that you succeed this time around!