a grandma at 25

“An old soul” is what I have been told I have been gifted with. “Grandma” was my nickname from many of my friends. 

According to a very reliable source (cough urban dictionary), an old soul is:

A spiritual person whom is wise beyond their years; people of strong emotional stability. Basically, someone whom has more understanding of the world around them.
Well lately, I have been feeling more physically like an old soul.

Today I made a visit to the urgent care after the advice of my neurologist due to a pain I was feeling in my abdomen and a rash I was developing.

“It might be shingles.“  Though shingles is usually reserved for the age group of 60 and over, those with autoimmune disorders also have a high chance of contracting the situation.

So I took the advice and went.  But made sure to match fashionably of course. (:

Oh the little things in life. 

Anyway. 

While shingles cant be diagnosed specifically through a blood test or urine sample, my symptoms and situation led the doctor to take the route of diagnosing it as shingles.

What is shingles?

Well, from my unmedically (yes I made that word up) uneducated opinion, shingles is a re-awakening of chicken pox.  After one has chicken pox, the virus lays dormant in the nervous system.  When the immune system is compromised (combine MS with a cold two weeks ago), it can create this dormant to re-awake, creating shingles.  While chicken pox is mostly just itchy, shingles is painful. Yay!

And for those wondering, it is not contagious.

Fortunately, we caught it early.  With the help of some anti-viral meds, we can hopefully kick it and lessen the pain.

(Side note to all those with auto-immune diseases, make sure to take care of yourself!  Try not to get sick and if you do, take the day off and rest and get it out of your system.  PS: Youre an awesome sparkler too!!)

It is hard though.  This is the longest Ive gone without some type of episode.  And though this is “minor”, as in I just have to rest a lot, drink fluids, take my meds, etc, it only adds to the stress level of having all these issues.

Ill be honest.  I lost it for a moment today.  Why cant I just catch a break?  Why does it have to be another thing?  Why do I have to fit in the 60 and over age group?  Do I now get senior discounts?

So I cried, let that weakness out, did an anti-stress facial, took a shower, watched the opening football game, and realized something.

No matter what road you take, or choices you make, shit is going to happen. (Sorry for the language).  Yes, some people have it easier than others.  I cant answer as to why that may be.

But what I can answer to is that while shit may happen, its up to you to determine if youre going to sit in it or if youre going to flush. 

It may seem impossible, it still may be hard.  It might not go away.  “it” being whatever is pain for you in your life.

With that said, never underestimate the power of HOPE.  Believing in hope will not fix your problems, it will give you the strength to endure them. 

Hope in yourself.  Hope in your faith.  Hope in your friends, your family, your loved ones.  Hope in the power of positive thinking.  

Yes, I may be 25.  And I may be physically becoming an old soul before Id like to. 

But hell, I look damn good for an old soul if I dont say so myself.

And when you all turn 60, I’ll be the really old soul who can share all that I’ve learned. (:

Never underestimate the power of hope. 

Love, Eliz