....and I can enter the country of Tanzania!So today's adventure was at Doctor Bergen's (the travel doctor) office where I had an appointment to get the necessary vaccinations (an appointment I both looked forward to and dreaded!) Basically, I went to his office, he told me what vaccinations I should get and I just nodded my head and said ok. But. this is not the fun part of the story.
No, the funny part of the story is the part when I actually got the shots. Ok, so picture this- I am sitting in a "comfy" hospital recliner chair (with a pillow I might add!) and my mom is in a chair off to the side (I have to admit, though I didn't need her to hold my hand, it was really really nice that she was there). One of the nurses comes out of the back room area with a paper clip full of waiver forms where I basically sign my life away (and promise not to sue if I get sick). Then we wait for a little bit, well a long bit. I think they did this on purpose to make sure I was anxious enough. Then two nurses come out, each carrying a tray of needles and get themselves set up on either side of me. In almost perfect unison, they roll up my sleeves, clean my arms with antiseptic and begin to "use me as pin cushion" (nurses actual statement!), sticking me three times each. All I can say is that Jesus got a lot of prayers from the Ross family today.
So, I am now vaccinated against Yellow Fever, Pertussis (for the non-medical people out there, that is Whooping Cough) and Tetanus (those two come in one vaccine called DTAP), Polio, Hep. A, Meningococcal and Typhoid. I have prescriptions for Malarone for malaria and Xifaxam for travelers diarrhea (yuck!).
So, all in all, I call today a success!
P.S- The picture is of me with the yellow fever certificate (which consequently is yellow) and the two prescriptions. :)
1 comment:
Jenny,
I think that you are very brave and certainly very dedicated to your mission of traveling to Africa. It was not easy to witness you receiving so many injections and especially, all at once! I am glad that everything went so well and soon you will be on your way... I remember the gratification that Grandpa felt when he traveled to Africa and volunteered. You will have experiences and opportunities that some can only dream of and memories which will last a lifetime. We are very proud of you
and our thoughts will be with you continuously. We are sure that the children of Africa will love you as much as we do.
Mom
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