Look Ma, I Got Chickenpox!

Up to last Wednesday, I thought I would never get infected with chickenpox. When I was a kid, Mum would make me play with the other neighbourhood kids whenever any of them got it. That did not work. For over three decades, that was reenacted over and over with nephews and nieces without success. Mum did say that the older I get chickenpox, the more miserable I would be. That was why she was in a hurry to get me infected. I, on the other hand, was beginning to believe that I was immune to it after all those failed attempts.

The rest is history not! I did get chickenpox. I am not sure if kids get off easier but I did have a hard time the whole week since the pesky little blisters appeared. It is a little ironic that for all the years that Mum tried to get me infected, she did not live to see this moment. Mothers are supposed to be around to see their children get chickenpox so that they can fuss over us with all the supersitions and taboos.

I am slightly disappointed by this break in tradition but I still need to get this off my chest: Look Ma! I got chickenpox! Yay! Yes, there is a smug smile on my face despite the discomfort of the past week that is slowly being replaced by a sense of having truly grown up. Never mind I got chickenpox at a ripe age of 43. The sense of being like everyone else is worth whatever I went through. I am not that different after all.

Author: Peter Tan

Peter Gabriel Tan. Penangite residing in the Klang Valley. Blissfully married to Wuan. A LaSallian through and through. Slave to three cats. Wheelchair user since 1984. End-stage renal disease since 2017. Principal Facilitator at Peter Tan Training specialising in Disability Equality Training. Former columnist of Breaking Barriers with The Borneo Post. This blog chronicles my life, thoughts and opinions. Connect with me on Twitter and Facebook.

3 thoughts on “Look Ma, I Got Chickenpox!”

  1. Now I am scared. I still haven’t gotten chickenpox yet. :S

    Peter:
    It is not as bad as it is made to sound. When you do get it, just remember, do not scratch and do not pick the scabs off. Easier said than done. Think of your pretty face without scars. If that is what you want, that is what you have to do. I do have a few scars from this. Itchy hands. 🙂

  2. Or you could get vaccinated at the expense of a couple of hundred ringgit :o)

    Peter:
    That is an option but I read that those vaccinated may still get chickenpox albeit a milder one.

  3. I’m glad I saw this. I’m 54 and am just getting over Chickenpox. This is ridiculous.

    Peter:
    Have a speedy recovery. I guess we now know chickenpox is not for children only.

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