Avoid hamthrax

We managed to get the first H1N1 shot slot of the day. I was fortunate enough to piggyback on Isak’s appointment and get one myself, but unfortunately the file clerk was out with the flu so it took a while to find our charts.

I brought along matching spongebob squarepants band-aids and a hotwheels car for needle time, and Isak had brave new red shoes on. There was a quick yelp and a few tears from him, but he braved it out & understood that it’s to help keep him safe and well.

I didn’t find it painful at the time but like everyone else has said, later it’s like being punched in the arm. I’m very glad it’s over with and I’m checking this off because we’re doing all we can do. Pass the hand sanitizer?

We still haven’t gotten our shots. The doctor’s office called Monday to cancel our appointments Tuesday (with apologies, but still, this made me grumpy), and said to call Friday to re-schedule. Friday there was still no word, we’re to call back Monday.

I’d much prefer to have it given by our GP instead of hitting a clinic and waiting around for hours with potentially sick people, but on the other hand I actually want to have it done.

I’ll call Monday and if we still can’t get in I’ll look into other options.

The people I’ve talked to (that managed to get their shot) all said their arms have felt punched hard for at least a week and one older woman was ill (chills, fever) for a few days. I still think it’s a good idea. And Isak’s old enough that he won’t need the second poke 3 weeks later.

All the other avoidance tactics are working well – Markus filled up our mini hand sanitizer packs at the site and we’re playing germ dodge to the best of our abilities. (fyi, ihaveneatstuff posted a great list under my last entry for this goal).

It was sort of funny when a woman sneezed on the skytrain yesterday – the packed in like sardines crowd all shrank backwards into each other to escape. Hmmm… maybe this would be a good tactic for actually getting a seat on public transit.

H1N1. It seems to be running rampant here, several friends are flat on their asses and 5 kids in the pre-school class are out with something. I don’t want to be either alarmist or naïve about it. I also really don’t want anyone (especially in my family) to get sick, so we’re taking precautions. Not freaking out, but being careful.

We’ve had even more hand washing than usual (which is a fair amount), I’m carrying vials of hand sanitizer (especially when we’re taking public transit), and we’re all trying to remember to keep fingers off eyes, mouths, noses, etc. and politely avoid obvious sickies when out and about.

After much info gathering (and talking with some nurse friends and our family doctor), we’re opting to get the H1N1 vaccine. Isak’s under 5, but has always been very healthy, so he’s in the second wave of immunizations. I somehow managed to get through to the doctor’s office and have an appointment for Isak and I on the 10th of November, and Markus will hit a clinic for his when it’s available so he doesn’t have to skip work.

Yep, as much as I love a good BLT, this is one party I’d like to skip out on. The whole flu thing in general, but this in particular.