Shingles happened to my husband too, just when he had been scheduled to have his esophagus opened. We thought nothing of it but when we went to the hospital, the staff wouldn't even come into the room. They talked to us standing just outside the consultation room. Then when we left, the room was sealed and had to be disinfected before anyone else could use it. Staff who had to have direct contact in the room with us had to wear a mask, a surgical gown and gloves. It felt a bit odd and funny too. The shingles lasted only a week. Hopefully your mother won't have too bad a time as a result of the shingles.