I understand some of you have been looking for an answer to the question “Where was Kosey’s column last week?” Well I don’t know if you had noticed, but it indeed was missing, maybe only about the fourth time in over 20 years that I have been writing for The Landmark. 

Don’t know what you heard, if anything, but it is best to get it straight from the patient’s mouth or, in this case, column.

Seems I had come down with a case of the shingles, not a bad case, but no case of shingles is a good case. After my self-diagnosis with the help of the computer, I went to our primary care doctor, Dr. Fanapour, for confirmation. After her diagnosis accompanied by “yes,” it definitely was shingles. 

After filling the prescriptions, and putting up with the pain, I kept telling myself it wouldn’t last forever, and the sooner it was over the better.

I began taking my meds but woke up in the morning not feeling quite right and, as I started moving around that morning, my legs gave out and down I went. It wasn’t a fall, I just crumbled. With the help of husband and son I was back up, temporarily. After “crumbling” a second time, we made the 911 call. I will tell you those young men are strong and caring, and they got me into the ambulance for my ride to MacNeal. And after test, test, X-ray, X-ray, poke, poke, it was determined I would be staying at MacNeal.

I can only say thank you to the nurses and doctors at MacNeal. I got all the attention I needed with a caring manner. I wouldn’t mind having some of those nurses as friends. 

Dr. Cusick, my cardiologist saw me daily to be sure my heart is fine — no problem. Dr. Ho, my orthopedist came equipped with a shot for my arm. I think I need another one. We’re not sure exactly why this happened, but I think I reacted negatively to the medicine for the shingles, all to be determined. 

So we are into the follow-ups and physical therapy to get things back to normal, whatever that is for me. I would like to recommend you think about the shingles vaccine. I thought about it but didn’t get it. Also I need to drink more water and move around more, good advice for everyone. 

So you take care of yourselves out there because you are the only “you” there is!