Day -163 -- I got shot, and it hurts.

Howdy,

Yep, click bait. A “true” statement, that isn’t true in the way you initially think.

On Saturday, I went to the local grocery store (Publix), and by chance asked the pharmacy if they had the Shingles Vaccine in — they haven’t had more than supplies for existing second-timers, in over a year. But they did.. So I got the 1st of the series of two. Now I am to get the 2nd one in two to six months.

Having gone through one bout with shingles, believe me when I say, I don’t want to do it again. Anyway, after asking all over the place, down here, for the last year, it was nice to get number 1. And what I like most about the Publix pharmacy, above and beyond the great employees there, is it is a totally “free” experience. I fill out the form saying I am alive and not ill, and that’s it.

Shoot, with the flu shot last year, they gave me a $20 gift card to get it there. They also did the first of two Pneumonia vaccines last December. (And the Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine before that).

Now, if you’ve never had the pleasure of the Shingles Vaccine, let’s just say it is a real pain in the arm. Once my shoulder puffed up, and got super sore, and itchy, I looked up the side effects (yes, they told me, but I never listen!!). Turns out, those are the normal side effects of the shot. And so are “flu-like” symptoms.

That’s B.S. It ain’t “flu-like”, it is the Flu.. Or maybe Malaria. Aches, headaches, fever and chills. Super-chills… The only good news is, that while it started within 24-48 hours, they are now mostly gone (after 4 days). Even the redness/swelling and itch is down to a level where I am sure it is going away.

And after this, I still can’t wait for shot number two in September - December (and the Pneumonia # 2 also). This short term annoyance is so much better than the alternative!!.

So, if you are over 50, go get it done. Don’t wait until you too are looking forward to having your shoulder swell up like a baseball and itch like you fell in a poison ivy patch, just because you know that is mild compared to the actual outbreak….

Hey, I said this blog was to be about how I will transition from work to life. This is part of living a better life.

Enjoy