***Chikungunya Has Become A Taboo Subject

Yeah, really, seriously...It has to be that Chikungunya (Chik-V) has become a taboo subject. 

We used to have a 'Chik-V Association' running  - at work, with friends...yeah, we used to have Chik-V discussions in the hallways as a means of therapy and comfort that it was not just us experiencing prolonged symptoms.

Then...all of a sudden, when I say "Hey, how ya doing?" to one of my fellow-chicks....they seem to be literally rubbing the wall as they pass me....and I'm like...what??? I'm not gonna talk about Chik-V...I'm just asking how you're going. Heh heh!

Seriously....I don't think people wanna hear about that dreadful virus anymore...any more than I do.  Somehow they think the word "Chik-V" carries a curse.  I've actually been told that talking about Chik-V would have a psychological effect on me and cause me to start to feel pains, so just don't talk about it.

I know I've been carrying the virus much longer and much worse than all my acquaintances, but there's no concern for me after they've gotten over it...and...DO NOT DARE SAY THE WORD "CHIK-V"!

Well I'm actually hoping that I would not have to talk about Chik-V again.  I am now receiving treatment from a Chinese herbalist to assist with it's after effects and I've been pain-free for one entire week....ain't that a thing! Yeepee!!!

Just remember that no matter the illness, there is a real hope existing, when "no resident will say "I am sick."" (Isaiah 33:24).

Raise your heads up!

Your fellow-chick,
Chick-Very

Recurring Chik-V pains....after sooooo long? It's not in your mind!!!

So I'm engaged in researching on Chikungunya again, as I started back getting pains since Friday evening, 11th September. So here are some interesting facts in the attached article, as even I have experienced it.  Just so any fellow Chick won't feel it's all in their mind.

What are scary about the chronic phase are the statistics:
33% of patients experiencing joint pain (arthralgia) for 4 months, 15% for 20 months, and 12% for 3 to 5 years. One study showed 64% of people reporting joint stiffness and/or pain for over a year after the initial infection.

I just wanna be a one-year Chik-V patient....lol!

Ahhhh well, living with it just like everyone else who has to live with their daily challenges.  I'm earnestly looking forward to the day when "no resident will say "I am sick."" (Isaiah 33:24).

http://www.wikihow.com/Recover-from-Chikungunya

Please read up!!!

Your fellow Chick,
Chick-Very

Living with Chik-V

On July 30th 2015, it makes 6 months as I continue to feel the effects of the Chikungunya virus (Chik-V). Well I know I've been pretty quiet for months regarding this.  But when your life has been changed by a virus that you know people generally do not understand, you come to realize that it adds no value to keep talking about its continuing symptoms. People will stop sympathizing with you, in fact, they may very well not believe that you still have symptoms. Especially if you are seeming to go about your daily life normal.

In fact, I've experienced very shocking negative remarks regarding continuing symptoms. One manager from my company has expressed that he does not believe in Chik-V and that no virus can last that long.  Another manager sarcastically asked me "Are you sure you're not pretending because you're enjoying the attention from the folks at home, or to get them to do all the choirs?"  It was truly heartbreaking to hear this as I was in the peak of the continuous debilitating Chik-V pains at the time.  Fortunately, I do not work with any of those managers.  There is one manager that has Chik-V and stops me from time to time to ask how I'm doing and to relate how he is being affected.

The truth about the matter is: I have resumed normal daily activities, but with much limitations. These limitations are not clearly seen by people around me.  The consequences of resuming these activities are mostly never seen by them either.  So what has it been like - I'll tell you.

Exercise - In May, I had resumed exercising, thinking that the Chik-V had left me. After 5 weeks I had to quit it cause I felt as though I had only aggravated my body and come down with what seemed to be a relapse.  At that time, I had two other colleagues that also came down with what seemed to be relapses.  One of them had resumed exercising the same time that I had.  I try to do walking in the park but my body always tells me when it's had enough. Thus I'm mostly sedentary now and the weight I've gained due to inactivity and steroids taken previously for the Chik-V is staying with me....uggh!!!

Housework - this has been very much of a challenge. I have to plan that either I do cooking and leave out cleaning; or do cleaning and leave out cooking. Either way, by the time I accomplish about an hour of either, my ankles and knees begin to swell and ache, and that's when I know it's time to start slowing down. Usually if I push myself, it takes about an hour for the pains and swelling in my feet to stop.

Recreation - this has been a challenge. My son loves going to the mall and so do I. However there's no more than  about an hour of walking around for me in any activity. I cannot stand for very long, much less walk.  I have had to cut down on recreation with my son. As a result, I've notice that he has adjusted to a rather sedentary lifestyle himself....I'm not very happy about that at all. But no matter how much I try to prompt him, he's simply following my example.  He does go with me to the park when I go walking though.  But that happens basically only once a week.

Generally speaking, physical activities tire me very quickly. A simple activity such as punching documents with a two-hole puncher has to be spaced out over a couple of days.  So while it seems that I am accomplishing my tasks at my job, I do so much slower than previously. It's a good thing I mostly set my own targets at work.

I am physically sick mostly every weekend, perhaps because of pushing my body during the week. It can be very discouraging to my general disposition if I allow it too, but I try to keep my humor. I continue to take daily vitamins to try to boost my energy.  I still seem to pick up every virus that passes by...I'm unsure that this may be related to Chik-V but it happens. Sometimes pains pop up while I'm just resting...that's just how it is.

Even as I write this, I am ill with headaches, fever, upset stomach and body aches that seem to be flu-like symptoms.  I cannot wait for the time when "no resident will say 'I am sick'." (Isaiah 33:24). We all need to keep ourselves mentally and spiritually strong as we await this promise.  So hang in there!

Your fellow Chick,
Chick-Very

***Song: Shake Them Off!

Please sing these lyrics with me (to the beat of Shake It Off by Taylor Swift)

 Shake Them Off

By Lavaughn Albino

Don't stay out too late.

Or you gotta get some spray.

That's what people say, mmm-mmm

That's what people say, mmm-mmm

Don't go outside on the porch

Unless you take your torch.

At least that's what people say, mmm-mmm

That's what people say, mmm-mmm

But I keep itching

Can't stop, won't stop swelling

It's like I got arthritis

Inside me bones

And it's not gonna be alright.

Cause the mosquitoes are gonna play, play, play, play

I ain't gonna stay, stay, stay, stay, stay, stay

I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake

Shake them off, shake them off.

Mosquitoes are gonna flit, flit, flit, flit

I'm just gonna hit, hit, hit, hit, hit, hit

I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake

Shake them off, shake them off.

I never miss a beat

But I'm aching on my feet.

And that's what they don't see, mmm-mmm

That's what they don't see, mmm-mmm

I cannot dance around

It makes me feel so down

And that's what they don't know, mmm-mmm

That's what they don't know, mmm-mmm.

But I keep itching

Can't stop, won't stop swelling

It's like I got arthritis

Inside me bones

And it's not gonna be alright.

Cause the mosquitoes are gonna play, play, play, play

I ain't gonna stay, stay, stay, stay, stay, stay

I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake

Shake them off, shake them off.

Mosquitoes are gonna flit, flit, flit, flit

I'm just gonna hit, hit, hit, hit, hit, hit

I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake

Shake them off, shake them off.

Shake them off, shake them off

I, I, I shake them off, shake them off

I, I, I shake them off, shake them off

I, I, I shake them off, shake them off

Hey, hey, hey

Just think, while you've been getting all about and moving all around places of the world

I'm just here getting down to this sick sick beat.

That mosquito came in early December.

I'm like "Oh, my god!" but I'm just gonna shake it.

To all those who don't know about Chik-V

Won't you stop that insult?

You better shake, shake, shake!

Cause the mosquitoes are gonna play, play, play, play

I ain't gonna stay, stay, stay, stay, stay, stay

I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake
Shake them off, shake them off.

Mosquitoes are gonna flit, flit, flit, flit

I'm just gonna hit, hit, hit, hit, hit, hit

I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake

Shake them off, shake them off.

Shake them off, shake them off

I, I, I shake them off, shake them off

I, I, I shake them off, shake them off

I, I, I shake them off, shake them off.

Shake them off, shake them off

I, I, I shake them off, shake them off

I, I, I shake them off, shake them off

I, I, I shake them off, shake them off.

***My Song: I Slapped That Mosquito

Please sing the lyrics with me (to the beat of "Bust Your Windows" by Jazmine Sullivan)

I SLAPPED THAT MOSQUITO

By Lavaughn Albino

I slapped that mosquito so far

And no, it didn't hurt my fingers bad.

They'd probably swell a bit and get blue marks

But right now, I don't care about that part.

I slapped that mosquito so far

After he boldly came and bit my arm.

I didn't wanna but I took my turn

I'm glad I did it cause he had to learn.
 

I must admit it hurt a little bit

Because I hurt my elbow when I hit.

I didn't know I still could have the strength

To fling a mosquito and there it went!
 

You see he's ruined the past months for me

I wish I could get all his family.

You'll probably think that I am juvenile

But I think that I deserve to smile.
 

Huh huh huh huh huh

I slapped that mosquito so far

You see I did it cause I lost my mind.

And then I sought him out into the dark

And stamped my foot onto his little back.

 

I slapped that mosquito so far

I'm really sorry that that's all I could do.

After three whole months of this torture

That's the best revenge I could think to do. Oh ah!
 

I must admit it hurt a little bit

Because I hurt my elbow when I hit.

I didn't know I still could have the strength

To fling a mosquito and there it went!

You see he's ruined the past months for me

I wish I could get all his family.

You'll probably think that I am juvenile

But I think that I deserve to smile.

Ou Bah bah bah bah bah bah
But it no comfort to my hurting bones
You could never feel how I feel today
Until it happens to yah, you don't know pain. Oh ah!
 

Yeah I did it, he should know it

I ain't sorry, he deserved it.

After what he did to me

He deserved it, I ain't sorry, no, no.

He bit my arm, so I slapped him far.

He caused me pain, so I did the same.

Even though what he did to me was much worse

I had to do something to make him hurt, yeah.

Oh , but why am I still hurting?

Why am I the one who's still aching?

Oh, oh, it really hurts me, really!

It really, it really hurts me, really!
 

 Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey

Now, watch me you

Now, watch me you

I slapped that mosquito so far.

It's Our 3rd Anniversary!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pc3Sz72ZXd0

I'm just sharing that today, March 30th 2015, is my 3rd anniversary of owning Chikun-Own-Yah.

I know my mosquito friend is somewhere in the corner frolicking. But if he thinks that I'm not able to tap my toes and flick my fingers too....HE'S WRONG!!!

Actually, I decided to leave him behind today and take some sea breeze. I managed to muster up some bravery and took a brief dip. I'm feeling somewhat refreshed, seems I needed a little outdoor air. I'm feeling a little hopeful that the sea salt might have somehow washed away some of this Chik-V, lolololol. 

Please let me know your Chik-V anniversary date.  Oh please....admit it, you've been taking a record! Bah haa haa!

Your fellow Chick,

Chick-Very

**Chik-V Affects the Lives of Other Family Members too

So for those who have spouses and children, what's their take on your prolonged debilitating illness and inability to do many of things you used to do?

Do they now have to do most of the housework themselves?

Do you find yourself spending less quality time with your spouse because you always need to be resting in bed at every opportunity you get?

Does your children now have to prepare their own dinner, and even on occasions made meals for you? 

Does your children complain about lack of recreational activities?

Is it that you cannot even get off the bed to tuck them in and kiss them goodnight....in fact, they tuck you in and kiss you goodnight?
 

Breakfast by my hubby Christopher

Dinner by my 12-yr-old son Kayden

That is exactly how my home-life has come to be for me during my illness.  And  unintentionally, sometimes we can become so taken up in our own little world concerning our illnesses, that we forget that we have people around us who care, and the adjustments they might have had to make as a result of our limitations can be taken for granted.  We may forget that perhaps they too may be stressed, or perhaps sad, knowing that there's nothing much they can do to help our situation.  But remember....circumstances weren't always this way, and this has been as sudden a change for them, as it was for you.

So ask yourself:

Do I acknowledge what my spouse has been doing for me since I have been down with the Chik-V? Do I commend him/her and express gratitude?

Is there some way that despite my limitations, I can reward my child for his/her understanding and assistance? Are there other activities you can involve yourself with them?

While we may want to use time to rest at the end of day or weekend, we need to show our support to our spouse/children who have also changed their lives due to our prolonged illness.

So let us sit back and think of the little ways we can show our spouses and children that we are not neglecting them, even if we have to grind ourselves in pain to do so.

Try to smile and laugh a little (even if your jaw feels like it's bolted with wire...lol).

Ask them about their day; how has it been and sincerely listen (don't interrupt to talk about your pains).

In your better moments, volunteer to assist in the smaller, simpler tasks.

Remember to still share appreciative hugs and kisses (just remind them no bear hugs...lol!)

Try to join them for meals whenever possible...they'll appreciate your presence.

And....though this may be difficult, let's try to 'put a lid on it' about our pains...they don't need to hear about it repeatedly...just saying.

We need to do our part to make this journey of illness an easier one for our loved ones also.

Your fellow Chick,

Chick-Very

***Tricks for Chicks (and Roosters, lol)

So fellow Chicks (and Roosters), I'm sure that over the course of time, many many people have been offering suggestion after suggestion, to try to help you to cope with symptoms of Chik-V. Out of these, we usually pick and choose because we ourselves become so very well acquainted with our disease, that we can tell in our minds right away if something simply won't work.  And yet, we kind enough to tell them that we'll do some research into their idea (at least, that's what I do).

However, there are a few practical pieces of recommendations that people have offered to me which, although offering very temporary relief, I have decided to keep doing on a daily basis.  Heck...any temporary relief is totally heavenly to me!

So herein, I am sharing these recommendations and hopefully you too can enjoy some measure of temporarily relief on a daily basis.

Recommendations:

• Keep yourself warm at all times and as much as possible. Many of us spend many hours in air conditioned environments at our workplace. Protect your joints...the coldness contributes to increased aching. As explained by doctors, the pains are actually a type of arthritis, because arthritis is indeed inflammation in the joints.  Don't worry about the "talks" that fellow-workers may give you. Do like me and before they can say anything, put on an 'accent' and say "It's jolly cold up in these parts!" LOLOLOLOL!  Or simply say: "Yeah, what-ever!"  So here's how I dress on a daily basis...don't laugh okay...I look broko...the true Chik-V look...lol!

• One day when I got full swing of all Chik-V symptoms, my dad told me to try a tablespoon of Noni juice for the headache. Well you know I would try anything organic, no matter how terrible it tastes. However, since I am quite acquainted with the taste of Noni, I went quickly to the fridge and shot down a tablespoon of Noni juice. Within 10 minutes, I returned to my dad to ask him if Noni also rids fever. He told ;me that Noni is good for many things. The heavy feverish feeling I had all over my body was gone, together with the headache.  So all I'm saying is...it's worth trying. There'll be no harm in it for Noni is organic.

• Now this idea came from a workmate who says she gets temporary relief for her feet. I know this is no rocket-science but just that, I hadn't thought about doing it until she mentioned. She soaks her feet in Epson salts. So I was like...but it's my entire body that aches. DUH!!! Soak your whole body in a bathtub or stand under a hot shower. Well I tell you...during the minutes of soaking myself in the warmest water that my body could possibly manage, it's like paradisaical bliss. Now I wanna do this every morning before work and at evenings when I reach home.

• Another recommendation from a friend whose sister has Chik-V, is drinking Vitamin C 1000 mg three times a day. I understand that it has made her feel better. Well, this has no side effects so obviously I would want to try this one also. I will return to verify if this worked with me.

Well, that's what I have to offer for now. Would you please share any recommendations that have worked for you?

Your fellow Chick,
Chick-Very

Disclaimer:

1. These tips have only been tested on myself and those who shared them with me. Please...they are no guarantee that they "will" work for you. So for heaven's sake, please don't be pouncing on me if they don't. There are NO guarantees with Chik-V.
2. The tips herein merely offer temporary relief for symptoms. There is yet no cure for Chik-V.

Relapse or not relapse? - that is my question...

I have been using the word "relapse" for months, as in..."Yesterday, I had a relapse of the Chik-V".

But I got to wondering while driving home from work today about a question I think my mom had put to me....how can one get a relapse of a virus that has never totally left the body? ...scratching my head.

I'm thinking that a 'relapse' can only occur if you've experienced absolutely no symptoms of the virus for a period of time, and then they suddenly re-occur again.

Well, I'll just mozzie on along to googling regarding this word 'relapse', and you can leave your thoughts here okay.

Joke: You just gotta google that word I just used "mozzie"...it's so fitting to this blog....urrgh!!!

Your fellow Chick,
Chick-Very

Addition on 21/3/2015:

In researching the topic of ChikV relapse, I have a lot from this article. I would like to recommend to read.

http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2014/10/19/chikungunya-stages-and-relapse/

Has Chikun-Own-Yah?

"Why does it have to be me? "

Have you asked yourself that since last year 2014...October or so, maybe earlier? I just picked a month really. But if you're suffering from a "virus" that while not fatal, sticks with you physiologically, psychologically, socially, economically, periodically, repeatedly and you wonder if, permanently...then you would be inclined to ask yourself the big question "Why me?".

Well, I have come to accept that, that little wreck of a mosquito that bit me on some faithful, jolly day in late December 2014, "chose" me....yes, I'm a "chosen one".  You see...normally those pesky little creatures do not "like my blood". So I realize that I am special after all to have been selected to carry Chikungunya for him. Lucky me...woohoo!

Anyway, I'm still looking for that mosquito after finding out that they can actually live up to 5-6 months.   (Yes, I've researched that cause I soooooooo want to meet him: http://insects.about.com/od/flies/a/10-facts-about-mosquitoes.htm)

Anyway, I first got symptoms of Chikungunya virus ( or shall I say "disease"), on December 30th, 2014...or was it beginning February 2015...or end February...or 11th March....or 15th March.  NO I'M NOT LOSING MY MIND!!!  I have literally seen the "beginning" of the Chick-V disease that many times!!! And no type of meds seem to help with the pains anymore.

Or...am I losing my mind? I've asked myself that several times since "owning" this disease.  I've been trying to come to terms with the fact, that whenever I get those tinnie, winnie periods of decreased pains, never to mistake them for "the road to recover".  That thinking messes with your mind! I am trying NOT to think positively about Chik-V recovery...yes, don't ever be positive about it, or be hopeful.  That messes with your mind!  It's better to accept it in your head that the Chik-V is like another living being inside you that plays these awful practical jokes, making you feel you're getting better, and in the moments of your highest of spirits in which your friends has seen you in like...perhaps  the past day or two....then, WADAMM!!!  It jumps out at you again, as if sticking it's tongue out at you and provoking with a nasty "Neh, neh, neh, neh, neh!!!"

So, from this day forth, I shall own up to my Chik-V!

So friends...has Chikun-Own-Yah?  Grab a smile and tell me all about it.

I think it's rather therapeutic to find out that there are others out there, who has it much longer than I have...who has not seen more than one pain-free day since having this disease. You're welcomed to share your experience here.

Your fellow Chick,

Chick-Very