Shots, Shots and More Shots!

Today I visited the Polk County Health Department, where I was prepared to become vaccinated before leaving for Uganda. However, I definitely did not plan on the day turning out the way it did.

Just so we're clear, I dislike shots or anything having to do with needles when it comes to my body. If it's someone else, it doesn't bother me (but I do feel bad for them), but I do NOT want them near me. Therefore, I went into the office absolutely dreading every minute I was going to be in there.

After waiting for what felt like a lifetime and trying not to panic, I was escorted to my 'exam' room. I was told all about the required vaccines and the 'highly' recommended vaccines. After this talk, I came to the realization that I was not going to get one shot, not two or three, but FOUR shots today! I was no longer anywhere close to calm or collected. The nurse went to prepare the shots, and I was left to panic and read as much information as I wanted about the 4 vaccinations I was about to receive. One for yellow fever, one for meningitis, another for typhoid fever, and finally one for Hepatitis A. I was to receive two in each arm. Reading all the information was not comforting, especially after learning about most of the disease already in Medical Microbiology. When it came time to administer the vaccinations, the nurse continued to tell me to breathe and relax, as I looked away with tears in my eyes and streaming down my face. She didn't count down, she just stuck the needles in my arm both times. I was right about one thing, shots still hurt, and I felt it!

As she went to prepare the next two syringes, I began to feel queasy and light headed. Apparently, it showed because she asked if I was feeling alright. I told her how I felt, and she said she would lean my chair back a bit and try to get them done as soon as she could. I felt a little bit better once I was leaning back, but it didn't help for long. The closer she got, the worse I felt, until the next thing I know, I was waking up to the nurse asking me if I was okay. I let her know I was, and I got a juice box to make me feel better. It was awesome! I had to save half of it for after the last two shots. The last shot was for Yellow Fever, and it burned. But I got to finish my juice box afterwards.

Now my arms feel absolutely awful, and they're swollen. I don't want to move them or lift them, and I'm experiencing a fever. While I'm experiencing the wonderful world of side effects from four vaccines in one day, I can't help but wonder how I'm ever going to be able to sleep comfortably with two sore arms. I guess in the end it will be worth it though. While I may not be enjoying what comes before the trip, I still can't wait to experience Uganda! 16 days!!