Well, I guess that goes down as the best Saturday night out I've had in a long time. Sad commentary on my life though that may be. A trip to the John Smiths' Stadium (formerly the Alfred McAlpine Stadium, football fans), which I don't think I've been inside since I saw REM there back in the 90s.
Stood in line for about ten minutes, wondering why I was having my jab with all these old people, then sat down in a drafty corridor (the space heaters were glowing red even though it had been, and still was, a pleasantly warm day outside). A lady from St. John's Ambulance took down my details, before another lady from the NHS reeled off a speech she must surely have been sick of reciting, the gist of which appeared to be there are lots of unpleasant side effects, but I probably won't get any of them. I had Astra-Zeneca, so she made a special point of saying that it doesn't cause blood clots, but sometimes people who would have had blood clots anyway develop blood clots after it, and if I was one of them, I should call 999 immediately.
When I mentioned my history of fainting during injections (actually, it only happened one time; it was a very hot day and they were drawing a blood sample, but I always mention it), the nurse told me to talk to the St. John's Ambulance lady while I was having it done.
"What's that on your T-shirt?" she asked.
Greetings From Asbury Park, New Jersey. "It's Bruce Springsteen," I said.
And then it was over, and I drove home in the fading sunshine, ready for dose two in July.
This seemed appropriate...
Ah, the old "What's that on your T-shirt?" diversionary tactic. Those St. John's Ambulance and NHS heroes know their stuff - bless them one and all. Hope you suffered no side effects. My second jab is scheduled for the first week of June.
ReplyDeleteI missed the appointment for my 2nd jab so am waiting to have it rescheduled. Didn't even feel the first one and, thankfully, no side effects.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the club, Rol! Glad it went smoothly and no fainting - like FBCB I must say I didn't even feel it go in, it was all v quick. Second dose due in about a month... if I only get the headache/tiredness I had after the first one I shan't mind too much.
ReplyDeleteThey’re getting to you youngsters now too then.
ReplyDeleteI got my first jab a few weeks ago and hope to get the second early June - I had a strange 12 hour bout of flu after my Astra jab that ran from 3am until mid afternoon the next day. Then I was brand new again. Strange.