Against my tanned shoulder, it sticks out like a sore thumb.
I haven’t removed the small bandage on my left arm. It’s been a week since I received my second COVID-19 vaccine dose. My bandaid serves as both a conversation starter and a reminder that I am doing my part to fight this horrible virus.
Once again I was the last in my friend group to get my second COVID-19 vaccine dose. Normally I would be annoyed I was the last of anything but I didn’t mind this time.
I felt pretty lousy after my first dose of the Astra Zeneca vaccine so I braced myself for whatever would come my way. This time around I had my choice of vaccines – AstraZeneca, Mordena or Pzifer. Oh the decisions! Thankfully everyone I know had an opinion on the best possible combination.
Quite frankly I didn’t want to have to make a choice. I’m not a doctor. I don’t have a science background. I could read every freaking medical journal out there and I still wouldn’t feel comfortable placing my bets on one vaccine or another. I wanted someone – the scientific/medical community – to tell me which is the most effective and safe vaccine.
Is that too much to ask? I know these are extraordinary times but come on. It irks me that supplies of vaccines are going to waste because people are holding out for one vaccine over another. THE science community says mixing vaccines is safe and offers equal protection. I just have so much more to say but that’s not this type of blog. Anyway that is my mini rant about my win, lose or draw options.
Moving on … I went with the Pfizer vaccine for the second dose. Everyone was doing it so why not? My friend Barry called me a conformist for even getting one vaccine. I just have to roll my eyes. I am tired of all this vaccine hesitancy. (I will suppress my urge to go on another mini rant.)
The nurse – Geradine – who administered the shot had only been in the nursing field for about a year. I reassured her that she was doing amazing work and this will be something she can share with her children one day. I know it’s trendy to shout out your support for health-care workers on social. But I think it’s important to give your sincere thanks in person when you can. I could tell she really appreciated my kindness.
The next day
I braced myself for the worse on the day following my shot. Friends said they felt tired or had a headache after the second dose. I felt pretty good in the morning but I started to feel lethargic as the day proceeded. I scheduled a rest day so I didn’t run. I had a few periods of highs then lows throughout the day.
I went to bed feeling tired but nothing out of the ordinary. By the second day, I felt totally fine. I felt complete.
Have you received your second dose yet? Do you have decision fatigue? I would love to hear from you in the comments below?