Geez. My IL's just can't catch a break.

CubbyMama

FIL has been unemployed for 6 months now after a layoff and has no prospects.  MIL is in horrible health (lupus, arthritis, various other health issues) and can't work, but doesn't qualify for disability for some reason or another.  FIL has been diagnosed with leukemia, but it's a type that doesn't immediately require chemo--it can lay "dormant" for years before his white cell count indicates it's progressing--so he doesn't qualify for disability, either, because it doesn't keep him from being able to work.  They're paying a fortune out of pocket for COBRA while FIL is unemployed, and are financially screwed if he doesn't find work pronto.

Now MIL just called and said FIL has a horrible case of shingles.  With her compromised immune system, she's at high risk of getting it from him now, too.

Seriously, universe?  I know it could be a lot worse, but they've had more than their share of suckage already this year!

EdithBouvierBeale

I have heard that the shingles can be brought on by increased stress...

Im sorry- it sounds like they're not having a very good year. I meant to post in your last thread about them how lucky I think they are to have a daughter in law like you- you are a really generous person with a clearly enormous heart.

I hope things turn around for them big time in 2011- Im sure you could all stand to catch your breath.

keep being awesome!

(also, good to see you around, you were MIA for awhile! (I used to be brideofranken, I changed identities, because I needed some mystery and excitement!!)

CubbyMama

Aw, BOF, quit being so sweet!  Yeah, between Facebook, blogging, etc. there's really only so much time one human can waste on the Internet, so I haven't been around much (for which I'm sure some are grateful!).  Thanks for the well-wishes...I sure hope they're earning some bitchin' karma for 2011, too!

lsufan

Oh, that sounds awful!  I hope things turn around for them soon.  

But, your MIL can't catch shingles from him.  If she's never had chicken pox before, she could catch that from being in contact with his shingles rash, but shingles only happens when you've had chicken pox (or the vaccine) sometime in the past, and it has nothing to do with being exposed to somebody else who has it.