My COVID-19 Vaccination Experience

As I sit here and type this I have just done yoga in the park and I am listening to Bossanova, had a fresh fish dinner and have nibbled on some delicious dark chocolate.

A far cry from where I was yesterday. Chills. Sweats. Feverish.

And well if I am being honest I cried. What?? like you’re a super good sick person?

Let me rewind just a bit- to well over 2 weeks ago.. January 31st to be exact, a Sunday.  I decided very last minute to race to Queens Hospital- there was a 48 hour notice that as a Flight Attendant I was eligible for the COVID 19 vaccination. It was last minute because I went later in the afternoon and to be completely honest I had always said I would take the vaccination, but as I know anyone may have had butterflies being the first of anything, these moments can just make you feel a certain way. And so I was at the beach and I decided- I should probably go.. Soonish. I called a trusted colleague and dear friend- whom I had discussed many world issues with, including the vaccination and the science amongst other world happenings- and thankfully she met me. It was comforting. To say the very least. I love you Noemi.

Now as you know I am very open about experiences. I always have been. But my covid-19 vaccination experience felt different. Not in “I don’t want people to know” sorta way, more like a private thing, or experience- I wanted to truly digest before sharing on BOAM. Because as I have stated for years- even before social media- I am a person who truly believes anyone should have the right to choose to do whatever he or she wants to do to their body. SO I sorta felt like in that sense - to me- it was private. 

About a day or so prior to my vaccination- I got into a very disturbing “Facebook Rumble” if you will. I’m sure you have either found yourself maybe accidentally in one in the last year with a friend or family member- or have found yourself reading along… like a book you just can’t put down. God we love a good argument don’t we? This was no different. 

After watching my family members lock themselves in a house for a year and be on several lockdowns in other countries- I knew this vaccination was or is the way out- or some light in this never ending tunnel of a pandemic. I also know there are people out there with their own reasons and beliefs for not getting vaccinated- and because I do believe wholeheartedly in the decision of others to make on their own- I didn’t think much of it. Until a Facebook post in my own work group emerged telling others of all the dangers of getting vaccinated and listing all the reasons why they should think twice. All valid. 

 To be honest, I felt it was a form of propaganda. And the thing is- I respect the person that wrote it. STILL DO. I mean ultimately everyone is entitled right? But to say it was triggering would be an understatement. My blood boiled and my face got hot, my heart beating fast- how dare you? I thought. Differ people on a choice that could save us all?? And by all I  was thinking of my family first, and then just society in general. 

A person(s) right to choose in my mind should not be exploited. So add this to the butterflies and anxiety - yeah I wanted to digest.  

While I waited in line I saw so many people that made me smile, as those faces passed me - some straight from the plane in uniform, pilots and flight attendants alike- I also felt a sense of relief. It was that feeling I have referred to before- a sense of security I get when I am around other colleagues making a decision- that feels good. An understanding. Knowing that although we aren’t often acknowledged as first line employees- we are. 

I got vaccinated at Queens Medical Center here in Honolulu. Wow. What an amazing staff. It was seamless. I got the Pfizer Vaccine. Behind a curtain, and I was so nervous. Right before the nurse gave me my vaccination, I thanked her. For her service. And in general- for you know being a nurse. She replied “You're a part of history”- wow a word that always gives me reason- perspective. Never thought about it like that.

I was giddy like a little girl and nervous- kinda like I was when I lost my Botox virginity- maybe it was the whole needle thing… not knowing how my body would respond. All the feels.  After you get the shot- they have you wait for 15mins to be observed to  ensure you don’t have a reaction- I on the other hand had to wait 30min.. I am allergic to morphine. So just to be sure they kept me a bit longer. I did get a small pinch in my neck when she injected me- I also heard of others that felt little pinches in their fingers- a braised nerve I was told.. It subsided. 

Went home and carried on. Besides my soar AF arm which I complained to Si for about a week straight and tried to get out of doing the dishes- I was completely fine.

Fast Forward to another Sunday- February 21st. Between my first shot and now I have read about others' experiences and spoke with a few. All different Side Effects of the Covid Vaccine. Some had complete stomach reactions, others had the chills, fatigue and fever. And then there were others like me- nothing. Still, I wasn’t naive to think I couldn’t easily be either one of them come my second round. 

Again, another seamless and quicker than before experience at Queens. Still waited my 30mins. No pinch this time. But I did have a slight headache come on sooner than before. More like a frontal lobe feeling- almost in my eyes. But not too bad.  The next day I woke up- I felt tired but rested if that makes sense. I drank tons of water the night before as instructed. And went to bed early. This was thought to get ahead on the “symptoms” if they were to arrive. 

I felt good- suggested we go workout to Si- I got through one round of situps and the fatigue hit me like a ton of bricks. I came home and went straight to bed. Sweat pants, sweatshirt, socks, and two blankets I had major chills. I took Ibuprofen to help break the fever ( I don’t have a thermometer but I am positive I had one ), within an hour and a half my fever broke and the sweat poured out,  I was still feeling very lethargic-  you know- sick shit. I started feeling better around 5pm- wanted to get some fresh air so we went to go look at the waves- by 6pm I felt another chill come on. Same experience all over again. Chills, fever, ibuprofen, sweats.  Only lasted to about 9pm. Slept like a rock from 10pm to 8 am this morning. 

Woke up feeling normal. I walked 3 dogs today for a total of 6 miles and went to yoga-

sooo I’d say I’m back on track. SO why did I write this blog exactly?

Rarely do we see or hear of peoples in depth personal experience of the vaccine or even COVID. It is usually is a version of a version, to be honest I have known people who have gotten COVID and the “how” is never even discussed. Why? Are we shaming people to not inform even the closest people to them? Or has the stigma around the whole thing made it uncomfortable for people to speak up? I mean 4 paragraphs ago I just shared how I wanted to be private... so I guess I can kind of relate. Have we as a society shamed each other to such an extent we just clam up? I mean I’m guilty of it right? I snapped back at a woman sharing her piece on why others shouldn’t get vaccinated. But it is important. Not to blog about it per say but to share- at the very least with the ones you love and care about. How did you get COVID? What happened? How did you feel after the vaccine? Which one did you take? Ect..

For some reason it all feels so

personal these days doesn’t it?? 

That is why I wanted to just give you my personal experience.  

Yes there is an unknown. Yes, I still have to practice safety protocols and precautions. And yes technically I can still get COVID and spread it- but with a 95% rate of me not dying, and the people I love living longer- I’m taking my chances. It was worth it. I have had other vaccinations, I’ve done pretty bad things to my body- I drink airplane coffee.. It feels good to contribute in the exponential process of herd immunity. This is my personal take. I hope you take it.

And I hope it helps you in either direction you decide to go- we’re all babes on a mish out here in this new world- and we’re all going through something. I am grateful for those who have had an open dialogue with me, expressed their truths- I have learned from you. I’m not always the best version of myself when I let my emotions run my thought process -and perspective is always key.

Please feel free to express how this blog made you feel and your experience- it would be a nice reference for any Babe On A Mish..