***(Warning: I am on prescription medication including and not limited to pain medication. This post is photo heavy and rambly. Enjoy!)

Wednesday evening, after going to Akaka Falls and to Kalopa Native Forest State Park, we had dinner in Hilo with our family. We had a delicious island dinner, consisting of local flavors and specialties. As we were sitting at dinner, my eye began twitching, like I had an eyelash in it. I did not think much about it, however, by the end of dinner I felt terrible. We had a two hour drive on winding roads and I was getting car sick. Normally, I do not get car sick or air sick, yet I have been nauseous in every mode of transportation since the trip started.

Thursday, I felt pretty sick. My lymph nodes were swollen and my eye was swollen shut. I was beginning to believe I had been bit by something in the rain forest. Friday, we went snorkeling at the City of Refuge in Pu?uhonua O H?naunau National Historical Park. My mom’s cousin offered to take me to the hospital and warned me that I really needed to go. I insisted that I would be fine and trudged through it. It is not difficult to trudge through difficulties here. The company has been wonderful and we are in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Allie found a coconut, near the sacred grounds, near the Captain Cook’s monument.

THIS is the reason why it is so easy to trudge through it all. Kona has the most beautiful sunsets!

Prettier sunset than this? I think not!

These were both taken on my cousin’s lanai. They have doors that slide away, leaving their living room completely open to enjoy the lanai. It all connects to the kitchen, the living room, and dining room. (Their kitchen makes me want to remodel. They have the best kitchen set-up ever!)

The doors on the left open completely up. It’s so awesome!

Friday night, we all went to the Kona Brewing Company; something Mr. Bear has been talking about doing for months now. We found a growler in the cupboard at the condo and refilled it with beer to bring home. The food was tasty and as always, the company was wonderful.

Mr. Bear, Allie, and my Mommy, waiting for our table at the Kona Brewery Company

Still, as I sat there, I wondered if I would be able to make it home without incident. The right side of my neck had grown into an angry, painful lump that extended from behind my ear, all the way to my shoulder. My eyebrow felt like I had bumped it very hard and I had a large bump on my forehead that was unexplainable. I took some allergy medication, which alleviated some of the pain. I was still miserable.

By morning, my eye was completely sealed shut and I felt like I had been beat up by an angry mob with bats. At 6:30 a.m., I woke Mr. Bear to take me to the Kona Community Hospital Emergency Room. The nurses suggested a possible allergic reaction, nevertheless, the doctor was not so sure.

I feel pretty! Oh, so pretty!

Shingles. The diagnosis was Shingles (also known as the “adult chicken pox”). Evidently, if left untreated, it is possible to render scarring and irreversible damage to the cornea. There were some noted changes. I have some vision loss that should clear up with the virus—hopefully. I will be sure to follow-up with the eye doctor. I will. I will. I have been given anti-viral medication, pain killers (because, this is painful, YO!), and eye drops. I am itchy, uncomfortable, and fatigued. The recovery time is slow and painful from what I understand.

I will not let it put a damper on the vacation though. We are here to relax and have fun. Fortunately, I am not contagious—I would have hated it if I left this wonderful gift to our very kind, generous, warm, and gracious hosts/tour guides.

I thank everyone who sent kind thoughts and concern on my condition. I am on the mend, although I am anticipating a very long road to recovery. Until then, I can expect to look swollen and deformed, much like Quasimodo.

In contrast, here is our beautifully presented sushi in downtown Kona. I could get used to this place!