Second shot!

Yesterday, I headed back to the parking structure at USC for my second dose of the Pfizer COVID vaccine. Again, I'm nervous! This time aside from logistics worries, I also have concerns about how my body will react in the day or so following the shot. 

As I got closer to the freeway exit, traffic slowed down considerably. I sat in the lane for awhile but it wasn't moving so I went to the next exit and drove around. Apparently the traffic was all people going to the COVID site. They had opened it up for walk-ins. I asked a couple of traffic cops how I should drive to get to the right line and they were super nice and helpful. 

It probably added about 30 minutes to park my car but once I was there, the actual line was really not bad. I had been drinking a lot of water all day yesterday and ate alot as I'd heard those were ways to avoid side effects. That meant that by the time I'd parked I needed to pee again. 🤦‍♀️ The line looked speedy enough that I decided to do the shot first and then find the porta-potties. 

Check in was super fast. I presented the QR code from Carbon Health and was directed to the next line. A few minutes later, I was lining up for table 14. Two more people later and I'm sitting in the chair, showing the worker my vaccine card. I took out my phone to take a picture and the lady doing the jabs told me to prop my phone on the sharps bin and take a video so I wouldn't miss it. 

She then asked me if I had kids, grandkids, nieces/nephews. I told her nieces/nephews and she said well you can tell them, "Aunty is a superhero. She got the serum that stopped the virus that went around the world." I got all teary-eyed. It was so meaningful to hear her say that after a challenging year in which I suffered so much less than so many other people. We are all superheros.

After my jab, I popped down to the porta-potties and then back for my 15 minute waiting period. Then back in my car and home. The whole process took about 2 hours even with the traffic.

I continued to eat substantial meals and drink a lot of water. I hung out with a few neighbours last night and felt good. Went to bed a little earlier than usual. Woke up with a sore arm today (similar to shot #1) but no other I'll effects. I'm continuing to drink water but I'm going to cut down on eating to my normal routine. 😁

Two weeks from now, May 7th, I will be fully immunized. I'm already planning some travel for this summer.