Playdough, herpes and self pity

It got to the stage yesterday morning that due to this stupid rash i'd managed to sleep for about 50 minutes the last 2 days, and was gradually convincing myself that I either had the plague, or was infact going to die some other equally dramatic way. So Mimi shut me up by taking me to the doctor. As usual I was kept entertained in the waiting room by their collection of posters.. especially a big 3d picture of two hands reaching out with the caption 'don't worry now, you're in safe hands.' How is that remotely reassuring?!

So we got called in to the doctors room (maybe a few inches bigger than my understairs cupboard, and the only lighting being from a bright blue uv lamp in the corner. I was gutted he wasnt going to be able to experience the full redness of my rash.) After he mmmed and ahhed for about 5 minutes while i sat there wincing and drowning and self pity, he sat back and goes. "Mm i know vat is wrong. You...er...you have herpes"

well. that comment was followed by a good 30 second awkward silence (when i must have blinked over 1000 times) before Mimi and I fell into hysterics. The doctor was utterly confused at our reaction and tried to reassure us with "Not the naughty herpes, the stomach herpes." If he thought that was going to reduce the hilarity of the situation he was deeply mistaken. ANYWAY. after much info finding both here and at home, turns out i have shingles. Everythings being treated and im completely fine, but what with the antibiotics, anti- inflammatories, pain killers, malaria tablets etc. etc. with the fact that im eating like a bit of a hamster, my system just doesnt want to know. I sat down on my bed today to put in my contact lenses and woke up.. like 40 minutes later. Im exhausted, in pain and feeling very sorry for my poor blistered belly and flueyness. This isnt helped by the children clutching onto my stomach whenever i pick them up!

So today im just having a chill out day, trying not to completely burn myself out more than i already have. This afternoon i sat with Joy in the sun, singing nursery rhymes and having a bit of quiet time over playdough. She's such a sweet little thing... the naughtiest and cheekiest little girl in Africa, but with a smile and kind heart to match. The thing about being here is one-on-one quiet time only lasts about 10 minutes when you have another 10 jealous toddlers, so here's some pictures of all of them staining their clothes with playdough. im sure the staff will thank me later.

Lots of love to you all, i hope you're looking after my mum.. its not everyday you receive an email from your only daughter with the subject title "Hi mom, i have herpes. love you..."