Wednesday, June 2, 2021

I Am Not Throwing Away My Shot

As of 3:40 pm this afternoon, Eliot and I received the second half of our coronavirus vaccines or what I'm fondly calling: my second Fauci Ouchie.

I have to admit that I was more nervous about getting this second one.  I'm not a huge fan of shots, and knowing this one could put me on my butt made it a little more nerve-wracking.  We're still not sure if I had COVID back in January of 2020, but I remember how awful I felt.  I'm relieved to get the shot so I don't have to experience that at full force again.  But even the thought of doing it for a day or two makes me uneasy.

Thankfully, everything went smoothly even though the day started off a bit weird.  This morning, before getting out of bed I went to my text messages to fill out my consent form and when I was finished it told me that the appointment was at 2:00 pm.  Eliot filled his out a minute later and it also said 2:00.  Confused, I called the pharmacy to confirm the time.  The girl on the phone said Eliot's appointment was at 2:00 and that I wasn't on the schedule for today.  She also said it didn't really matter though.  We could come whenever and I could still come in if it was time for my 2nd shot.  After discussing it with Eliot, we decided to stick with the original plan to go in at 3:00 pm.  I figured that if anyone questioned it, I had a screenshot of my 2:00 pm time from the consent form and the original email for my appointment at 3:00 pm.

I arrived at the Walmart in Biddeford around 3:15.  (I forgot about all of the school buses that I'd encounter on the way in.)  Eliot beat me there and was already waiting outside.  We went inside to the pharmacy and got checked in.  Unfortunately, my consent form didn't get processed so I had to fill the paperwork out by hand.

After waiting a few minutes, the pharmacist called our names.  Eliot told me to go first so I stepped into the booth and rolled up my sleeve.  It was a lady this time and she was really nice.  I warned her that I was a bleeder last time and she chuckled.  She used a round bandaid that she put on before I even got the shot.  I think she pierced through the bandage, but I'm not 100% sure because I didn't watch.  

What I did notice was that I didn't feel the liquid flowing into my arm this time.  In fact, other than the initial pinch, I didn't feel much at all.  (Even now, 4+ hours later, I only have dull pains here and there so far.)  Eliot went after me and then we both thanked the pharmicist.  She told us to stay for the observation period and I joked that Eliot was going to go by me a candy bar because I was afraid I'd pass out from hunger instead of the shot.  She then offered me a snack from a giant basket they had sitting there!

For the next 15 minutes, Eliot and I sat in the waiting area at the pharmacy making sure we didn't have any reactions.  I was happy as a clam that it was over with and that my arm hadn't already gone numb like the previous time.  I munched on my snack size Cheese-Its before turning my attention to posting on Facebook.  I uploaded our photo with a clever caption... and then I added a bunch of little vaccination gifs.

After our observation period was up, Eliot and I did some shopping.  I had a bunch of things I needed to get: toothpaste, deodorant, a new pillow, cleaning supplies and a giant list of groceries.  We took our time getting everything and wandering through the store.  Then, we loaded both my car and the truck up.  I didn't even have a problem lifting and carrying the heavy shopping bags!  Woo!

I really think our second shots went the best they could... even with the scheduling confusion.  Eliot and I both feel great as of right now, and I can still move my arm!  

Plus, I tried to have a little fun with it.  I'm always looking for an occasion to dress up and I had planned to buy a special Hamilton themed shirt to wear, but I decided not to bother.  I ended up wearing my "Can You Feel This Magic in the Air?" Taylor Swift themed Aladdin shirt from Pixie Lee instead and I thought it was still fitting!  Being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is a magical feeling!

But I am regretting not buying a sticker.  I had a few fun ones picked out on Etsy, but I wasn't sure what I'd do with it afterwards.  Although, I probably could have used it in my scrapbook.  COVID hasn't exactly been a positive experience, but it has been an experience nonetheless.  (Eliot was supposed to print something but he forgot!)

My brother Jeremy also received his second vaccine today after work, so at this point, everyone in my immediate family has had theirs!  I'm so relieved and I hope this means that things will start to get back to normal.  I'm also relieved that we're protected.  And I'm also glad we don't have to wear masks when we visit my family now!

I'm not sure what's in store for us the next few days... but I'm preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.  My parents and Nana didn't have a reaction to their shots at all, but Eliot's mom and one of his sisters did.  I've heard so many mixed reactions from my friends online... who knows what'll happen.  Like the last time, I've gone in prepared so that if Eliot and/or I have to lay in bed for a day or two, we have should have enough wiggle room in our order production schedule that everything will be ok.  Time will tell...

Regardless of how our next few days turn out, I'm happy and relieved that Eliot and I have joined the list of those fully vaccinated!  The countdown to June 16th begins!!!

"I am not throwin' away my shot.  I am not throwin' away my shot.  Hey yo, I'm just like my country, I'm young, scrappy and hungry and I'm not throwin' away my shot."  °o°

2 comments:

  1. Congratulations on being fully vaccinated-It is a Great feeling! (jv-fellow Mainer)

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    1. I feel so relieved! I'm ready for life to get back to "normal"... or whatever that will look like moving forward! The past two days were rough, but we both feel much better today! :-)

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