Vaccine Day

Today is vaccine day.
I got my text from the doctors 2 days ago & today’s the day. At lunchtime I’ll be off to my GP vaccination centre with my arm at the ready.

How am I feeling? Excited. Apprehensive.

Apprehensive cos it’s an unknown but I’m not usually apprehensive about vaccines so I really shouldn’t be this time. Excited because a more normal future now seems a more immediate light on the horizon. After almost a year stuck at home, the opportunity to actually be able to go out & see people again, albeit in 3 months time, is such a welcome treat.

—————-

So I was met outside the church door by a volunteer, a friendly guy who put me at ease. After a quick spray of the antibac I was directed to the side entrance (a one way system had been implemented, in the side door and out the front door.) Once inside my name was checked off on the computer & then I was given a ticket (944) to wait to be called. I joined 15 or so people sitting at two metres apart in the main church & took a seat as far away from everyone as possible, and waited.

I was reassured to see that whenever anyone was called, a volunteer quickly proceeded to clean the chair that had been vacated. Very efficient & smooth.

When 944 was called I followed the pointing & took my place at station 5 where I was introduced to the dr who was going to vaccinate me. Retired 3 years ago, he’d volunteered to help with the vaccine effort. After all the general questions & comments, the infamous “sharp scratch” and that was it. Vaccinated !

Because I was given the Oxford jab I was advised not to drive for the next 15 minutes so proceeded back to my car to wait in the car park. It gave me time to read the leaflet. It was also good to chat with an older couple arriving for their jab.

I was surprised to be called so soon for my jab & to see a number of younger people there. I didn’t seem to fit into the makeup of people in the current cohort. But I’m relieved. I’m grateful. I’m happy to have finally started on my road to the future.

—————-

It’s been 9 hours since my jab & I’m beginning to feel a bit bit off. Just headachy & tired really so I’m heading to bed for an early night with a cup of tea & some pain killers. Hopefully I’ll sleep it off & will feel like ok in the morning. Fingers crossed x

—————-

Well I managed about 3 hours sleep, if that before I was wide awake & beginning to feel worse. By the middle of of the night, 14 hours after the jab, I had a high temperature, shivers and aches. I’ve made tea & wrapped up in 3 blankets, in my bed, with a hot water bottle and taken more painkillers but am still shivering.

After an hour the shivers are easing but I’m still feeling rough. I guess at least my body is fighting & creating antibodies.

—————-

So I spent the next 24 hours in bed. I felt worse than I’ve felt in years. My temperature kept spiking up to 38 degrees. My head was throbbing incessantly. I ached all over. I had no appetite and basically just spent the day sleeping & drinking fluids. Phew, what a day. The only comfort through it all is that I’ve had a vaccine, this is no where near as bad as the disease and it will wear off soon.

And wear off it did. 48 hours later I felt human again and able to function more normally. I was tired for the next week but that’s a small price to pay for protection. I just hope I don’t react after dose 2 in a few weeks time. Time will tell!