{"id":4925,"date":"2021-05-21T22:07:48","date_gmt":"2021-05-21T22:07:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brendans-island.com\/catholic-citizen\/?p=4925"},"modified":"2023-02-16T16:32:08","modified_gmt":"2023-02-16T16:32:08","slug":"first-of-two-covid-19-vaccinations-this-morning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brendans-island.com\/catholic-citizen\/first-of-two-covid-19-vaccinations-this-morning\/","title":{"rendered":"First of Two COVID-19 Vaccinations This Morning"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"My<\/p>\n

I went to the local hospital this morning, got a sheaf of paper and a 3×5 card, had a short chat and followed green arrows to the elevator. I’ve walked down that corridor a fair number of times, and have even been in the elevator.<\/p>\n

But I’d never pushed the “G” button. Which took me down one level to what I’d have thought of as the basement. I suppose it’s the “G”round floor because it’s at ground level at the back of the building.<\/p>\n

All of which was more entertaining to me than it is for you reading this. I enjoy walking through big, complicated buildings or \u2014 better yet \u2014 building complexes.<\/p>\n

Such exercises are among my pleasant memories of a year spent at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis: make that U of M, Twin Cities; and that’s another topic.<\/p>\n

Anyway, I followed a few more arrows which took me around a corner. After that, walking about a hundred feet brought me to the door of a conference room. A big one.<\/p>\n

That’s where I got my “I Got My COVID-19 Vaccine!” sticker. It’s optional. The medico who was checking me in seemed businesslike, so I didn’t ask if I could have a gold star, too. Which is probably just as well, since I nearly walked off with her visual aid papers.<\/p>\n

But I didn’t. A short walk brought me to one of the two screened-in ‘get your shot here’ spots. Where I got my COVID-19 vaccination. The first one.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Fact Sheets and “Privacy” \u2014 This isn’t the ‘Good Old Days’<\/h4>\n

\"From<\/a>I wasn’t taking notes, so I can’t be sure. But I think I was told about what was the “V-Safe” sheet and a “Fact Sheet For Recipients and Caregivers.” It ran to four sheets, text on seven of the eight sides.<\/p>\n

Plus a “Patient Education | After COVID-19 Vaccine sheet. Text on both sides.<\/p>\n

I could complain about that, but won’t.<\/p>\n

Partly because they gave me something to read while sitting in one of the 23 chairs \u2014 spaced at six-foot intervals, the correct position for each marked with a little yellow taped “X.”<\/p>\n

And partly because I don’t mind getting information. Which included brief discussions of what contemporary culture calls “privacy.” This isn’t the world I grew up in. In some ways it’s better, and that’s yet another topic.<\/p>\n

I got my vaccination at about 9:40 this morning. It’s now about half past four in the afternoon. The “Fact Sheet For Recipients and Caregivers” listed possible side effects of this vaccine. Which included a curiously-generic “feeling unwell.”<\/p>\n

I’m pretty sure I haven’t experienced any of them. “Injection site pain,” maybe. But my right shoulder has been giving me fits off and on, so I can’t be sure about that.<\/p>\n

And anyway, growing up with a glitchy hip encouraged my perception that discomfort isn’t “pain” until it keeps me from moving.<\/p>\n

I’ll be going through pretty much the same routine on Friday, June 11th, when I get the second of two COVID-19 vaccinations. At least, that seems a reasonable assumption.<\/p>\n

Side effects from that one may be more interesting.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Coming Attractions?<\/h4>\n

\"CentraCare,<\/a>Last Saturday’s trip to the emergency room happened after my son got his second COVID-19 vaccination.<\/p>\n

I can’t be sure, since a full-scale medical ‘what’s causing this’ investigation would have taken more resources than we have. And more, likely enough, than would be warranted for a situation that was unpleasant but not dangerous.<\/p>\n

But what he was experiencing looked a lot like a selection from the listed vaccination side effects, cranked all the way up.<\/p>\n

Which may mean that he’s got a high-performance immune system. So if I don’t<\/strong> run a high fever, experience hideous near-crippling pain and generally feel awful \u2014 I could fret that there’s something wrong with my immune system.<\/p>\n

Or I could assume that my son isn’t exactly like me, which seems reasonable.<\/p>\n

<\/a>\"Me,<\/a>Either way, I expect it’ll be an interesting experience. And, probably, something I could write about. Which I probably will.<\/p>\n

More, mostly related to COVID-19:<\/p>\n