My doctor's office called this morning to let me know that they were now able to give me the vaccination for the H1N1 flu, also known as swine flu. The top priority patients have already received theirs, and I fall into the second level of priority groups. I was glad to get the call.
Normally, I don't worry about shots, but as an EmpowHer Guide I've read several comments from members who've had painful vaccinations and who've had lingering pain for quite some time afterwards. I wanted mine to go well.
The nurse asked which arm I wanted to use. Since I'm right-handed I chose the left arm. She said, ""I'm going to give you the shot on three. One, Two, Three." I was braced to feel at least a pinch when she said "three" but felt nothing at all.
So I asked her what she had done. It turns out that she actually gave me the vaccination on one. She said, "It's all a matter of perception."
She was absolutely right. And she really knows the proper way to give a person a vaccination. There was absolutely no pain from this, and there has only been a very slight soreness at the injection site.
She also gave me a really cute "Dora the Explorer" band-aid which I didn't expect.
All in all, the nurse's skill and professionalism in treating me made this pretty much uneventful. You could even say, it was as easy as one, two, three.
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Pat,
I'm so glad you had such a good experience! But I'm primarily glad that you were able to get the H1N1 shot -- it's good news that they're already to the second level of priority groups. Despite the fact that we seemed sort of slow getting out of the gate with the supply of immunizations, perhaps we really can catch up before the worst of the winter hits.
November 6, 2009 - 8:20amThis Comment