Thursday, June 10, 2021

WE ARE VACCINATED

Well, we did it.

We have been fully vaccinated!

For me, this was a Mt. Everest moment.  You see, I have a terrible fear of needles.  My fear comes from a childhood trauma.  I was bitten by a stray cat when I was about four or five and they couldn't catch the cat so I had to have rabies shots.

20+.

In the stomach.

Over the course of a few weeks.

With 1969 "needle technology".

Ironically, LOVE cats, HATE needles, ha.

(rabies shots are much better now)

Since 2nd Man and I didn't really get out into public situations much, we waited to let more people get their vaccines first but then it became so widely available here, we decided to do it.  Had our first shot back a couple weeks before Memorial Day weekend and then a couple of days ago we got the second dose.

For those afraid of needles, I have to say, I did NOT feel a thing.  Literally the first shot (don't look at it) I was looking away, I felt him rub on the alcohol, I was chatting away talking about my rabies shots experience and whatever else and the guy goes "all done!".  I swear to you if you offered me $100 to tell you the moment he injected me, I would lose that bet.  It was an amazing experience.  I was actually looking forward to the second and same thing this time, though I did consciously try to catch the moment.  I "think" I did know the microsecond moment I might have felt it but again, a wonderful experience. 


I'm happy to report, no reaction with either the first or the second shot, other than a sore muscle in the arm.   I may have had a bit of a low grade fever in the night while I was sleeping, but I didn't take my temperature, woke up feeling fine and went to work just like normal.


We got the Pfizer vaccines.  Other than the sore arms I mentioned, everything was normal for both of us.


We will still wear masks for the foreseeable future when in large gatherings.  Texas has pretty much dropped mandatory masks and most businesses have done that as well.  However, signs saying "masks encouraged" or "masks suggested" (instead of "masks required") are now up and in Houston at least, most people honor that and wear their masks.  But we feel both relieved and empowered now that we "have our shots" (sounds like going to the vet).  It's a weight off our shoulders.

And we know how Hobart feels...ha! 

29 comments:

  1. I tried to get an appointment and could not, so when I had my first vaccine, I was positively giddy. Sorry about the trauma!

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    1. Thanks, and yay for you getting your shots too. I updated my post to reflect how felt about the vaccine shot so that I could help if others are scared.

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  2. Applause!! NH has a great vaccination rate but there are still occasions for mask wearing to be safe.

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    1. Thank you! Houston area has a great rate as well, but yep, want to keep wearing a mask for awhile.

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  3. Excellent news!! We have had both of our shots!

    DH got Moderna -- and I got the Pfizer shots!!

    We like to say that we "Vaxxed to the Max"

    Cheers! Jan at Rosemary Cottage

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    1. Thank you!! Congrats to you both. I like the 'vaxxed to the max' that's funny. We'll have to remember that.

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  4. I know you are both tremendously relieved; what a wonderful feeling! 1st Man, good for you for overcoming your fear of needles!

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    1. Thank you, it was a good experience. I also updated my post because your comment made me realize I didn't talk about my needle experience. It's a good feeling for sure.

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  5. So glad you bit the bullet and got the shots! Be prepared ... we may have to get booster shots this winter!
    It is a relief to get both shots and always be prepared to don a mask when out and about!

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    1. Yes, I'm prepared for that. The variants are a bit unnerving, especially the new Delta variant. We have no issue with masks, and as an added benefit, no colds or regular flu or seasonal allergies is a plus.

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  6. Very few people in my area are still wearing masks. It's probably not surprising that I live in a red area. I'm going to keep wearing mine, even though I had my first shot in April ("essential worker"). I rather like that I went through the winter without a single cold or stomach bug. And yes, those shots back when I was young were rough. My sympathy for going through that as a kid.

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    1. Thank you. We hear ya. Same thing here, it's been over a year since we've had a cold or allergies and now that you mention it, no stomach bugs either!

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  7. Yea!! I too am fully vaccinated (Moderna) znd intend to wear a mask indoors with other people

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  8. Good for you! We got vaccinated back in April and NY state has pretty much opened up back to "normal" by now. I still carry a mask because some private stores still require them. When I was a child I lived in fear of being bitten by our barn cats because of the dreaded rabies cure. You are the first person I've known who actually went through it.

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    1. I really don't remember the cat bite at all but those shots, I literally remember holding on to the car door as they tried to pull me out. Then another time I tried to climb out of a window in the bathroom. Mind you I was 4 or 5 I guess. Crazy times.

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  9. congrats and way to go! it is such a liberating feeling. we hardly wear masks anymore. we feel very safe.

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    1. Thank you, and congrats to y'all as well. I'm still gonna wear for awhile just to be on the safe side, at least when out in random big crowds.

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  10. Patricia in southern MinnesotaJune 10, 2021 at 5:33 PM

    Lest you scare people away from rabies shots they should know that they are no longer given in the stomach. I had them several summers ago. My shots were given in the thighs, arm and buttocks and the needles, though numerous were small and barely painful. And I believe you don't have to repeat them but only get a booster if think you might be infected again.

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    1. Yes, I edited my post after you commented, I needed to add that today they are not remotely like that. Sorry you have to have them but glad to hear they aren't close to the way they used to be a long time ago (mine was 1969, maybe 1970).

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  11. Congratulations! I’m so glad that you both are now fully vaccinated. You had such a traumatic experience as a child - ouch, 20 shots in the stomach - you were a very brave kid. No wonder you have a thing about needles. Glad it didn’t transfer to cats also!
    I got my second shot in April and the feeling I had was such a sense of relief. I still wear a mask when going into a store because in my county the percentage of fully vaccinated people is only 31%.

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    1. "Sense of relief" is a great way to think about it. Harris county (where Houston is) has a high rate but being so large there are still not enough fully vaccinated. And nope, the cat bite didn't make an impression but those dang needles did, ha.

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  12. Congrats! I am still masking also, but I do feel. bit more comfortable being in a small group of folks. I just want everyone who is eligible to take the plunge and get the vaccine.

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    1. Thank you, yes, we'll feel more comfortable in small groups of our vaccinated friends and family. In stores and places like that we'll still be masking. And yes, we need everyone to get it.

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  13. So impressive that you would ever have another shot after what you had to go through! So glad it went well. I still have friends who refuse to be vaccinated.
    Enjoy your newfound freedom!

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    1. Well it took me a lot of years and I've had a shot or two or three over the decades, ha, but yeah to go on purpose and get not one but two, it was a mental hurdle. And I am so relieved and happy and honestly it didn't hurt at all. We are indeed relieved to be "free-er" now, ha.

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  14. We had our shots in April. I actually cried tears of relief when were able to get our vaccines. I was actually able to get the vaccine in January through my employer, but sadly it was when my Mom died...of Covid. So I had to wait for the next round. We too had Pfizer and still wear our masks.

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    1. TONYA!!!!!!! We were just thinking about you recently. SO happy to see you again. My gosh, we are so sorry for the loss of your Mom. I have lost someone close to me as well and have had some close calls for other friends/coworkers. We've stayed safe and were so happy to get it.

      Again, please accept our deepest condolences, sending hugs your way!

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    2. I have fallen off the face of planet for a while it seems, lol Thank you for the condolences. I am sorry for your loss as well. 2020-mid 2021 have been so, so, so very hard. Not just for us, but so many people. I am finally crawling out of the extended self imposed exile from the world, lol

      Even though I have not commented in a very long time- I do make a point read your blog- when I spend time on the web. I still love reading about your and 2nd Man's adventures. I am glad you both are well :)

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