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January 23, 2007
Just Say No to Tetanus (and Diphtheria)
I’m not one of those people who avoids doctors, but, despite visiting a variety of doctors for issues that have come up through the years (read: hideous allergies), I somehow managed to go about fifteen years without having an actual physical. Brian was on my case about it before he died, but I told him I’d take care of it “later.” I finally got around to it yesterday.
It’s not exactly an experience I’d recommend.
Just to start, if you give medical professionals an excuse to look over your records, they’ll realize things like that you’re WAY overdue on your tetanus shot. And have you had a tetanus shot lately? They HURT. My arm, which was perfectly fine before I went to the doctor’s office, is still sore like someone punched it. Hard. They gave me a little informational sheet to go with my shot that informed me that I was getting two inoculations for the price of one: tetanus AND diphtheria. You can see the sheet here, complete with the misleading drawing of a little girl doing a “ta-da” pose, like she’s so happy that she is going to be protected from all that big, bad tetanus and diphtheria. Clearly no one’s punched her in the arm with a needle yet.
Also, thanks to my family history, I get to go for a fasting cholesterol test later this week. Fasting makes me pass out. Having my blood taken makes me pass out. At least I can count on getting adequate care when I pass out in a medical facility (as opposed to some random place on the street, which I’ve also done). I can’t get the staff to comprehend that I’m going to pass out before it happens, of course, but when I go ahead and lose consciousness, they’re very attentive.
The doctor also asked a lot of nosy questions about my eating and exercising habits. Then he judged me. I could tell. (Doctor: “Well, your eating habits are pretty good, and you’re getting more exercise than a lot of people.” Implying: “You could do better if you tried, Ms. Furness.”)
I guess it’s nice to get a little reassurance that my health is pretty much on track (sans bloodwork, which could reveal all manner of whatever). Preventative medicine is a good thing. Catching problems early is a good thing. I know these things in my head, but, ironically, my health isn’t something I worry about. My secondhand experience of Brian’s cancer taught me that, if you listen, your body tells you when something’s wrong, and I tend to assume that most of the time, even something that seems alarming turns out to be not that big of a deal.
Not to mention I’m kind of tired of doctors. (Doctor: “You can get a list of ACM labs at the front desk.” Me: “I know where they all are.” Doctor: “Oh, yeah. Sorry.”)
Posted by adrienne at January 23, 2007 12:20 AM
Comments
My arm hurts even more this morning than it did last night. Ouch.
Posted by: adrienne at January 23, 2007 07:50 AM
I can never pee in the cup. I get stage fright. Plus, women aren't designed for peeing in cups. I'd much rather have someone stab me in the arm with a needle, than pee in a cup.
Posted by: Kelly Scroger at January 23, 2007 08:20 AM
I should make tetanus shots mandatory before all future barn parties. Do you KNOW how many rusty, dirty nails are sticking out all over my farm?
Tetanus shots are a pain - literally - but it beats the alternative!
My son's doctor is leaving messages on my answering machine requesting that I get him in there for a flu shot. Of course he hears the messages and then it takes me 20 minutes to calm him down. I NEVER tell him he's getting a shot ahead of time & now he totally knows. What's wrong with these people???
Posted by: JJ at January 23, 2007 08:56 AM
The last time I passed out during a blood test I got a nice tour of the Thompson Hospital Emergency Room, including great views of all the new ceilings. Hope your arm is feeling better!
Posted by: Heidi at January 23, 2007 08:57 AM
They didn't ask me to pee in a cup, which was a relief.
My harm hurts even worse now. The only reasonable explanation for this kind of pain is that I must be getting lockjaw in my arm. This is not going to be helpful during storytime this morning....
Posted by: adrienne at January 23, 2007 09:44 AM
Still hurts.
Posted by: adrienne at January 24, 2007 10:37 AM
You are one of the unlucky ones who has the arm reaction. Be prepared, Ken says his usually lasts for 7 to 10 days. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Good luck with the fasting/blood test. Tell them you need to lie down.
Posted by: Pat at January 24, 2007 11:21 AM
Did you know that the doctors in the UK went on strike for a week and the death rate reduced by half? As if to prove that wasn't an anomaly, they did it again two years later with the same result. That's why I don't see doctors, for my own health. Look what they did to your poor arm.
Posted by: chuck at January 24, 2007 12:49 PM
At least you have a new computer to help ease the pain. Retail therapy!
Posted by: Jeffrey Lee at January 24, 2007 02:56 PM
It's true that the upgrade has been a welcome distraction.
And, just for the record, my arm still hurts.
Posted by: adrienne at January 24, 2007 10:16 PM
I urge you, Miss A, to contract a case of rabies...and then deal with the aftermath of a series of shots in the stomach over a period of weeks. That ought to give you an appreciation for the martyrdom of a one-time shot once every decade.
Posted by: Craig at January 24, 2007 10:23 PM