Ouch!
Jan. 15th | Posted by Nicky
10 comments
We’ve been stabbed.
Right Arm: Meningococcal
Left Arm: Typhoid
Soft Spot (on me, anyway): Hep A and Hep B
And then some Dukoral and antibiotics to go.
Grand total? almost $800. (for the two of us.) And we still have two more hits of Typhoid in the next 6 months.
Now, I have a BIG fear of needles… but, I have to get my blood taken about once month and give blood periodically too. So I’ve figured out fear management techniques. However, when the vaccines were burning up in little pools under the skin of both arms and I was asked to lean up against the counter with my pants down- I was not feeling very brave anymore.
~I kept on picturing the two little girls in my mind, sitting in the same green polka dotted chair, laughing and pointing at the camera, and reminded myself why the heck I was putting myself through this!
We didn’t get Yellow Fever, because it’s only required for people coming from countries where the disease is endemic. (Not Canada.)
And luckily, we are not going during either Malaria season – nor to any areas where it’s common. So we’ve avoided both those drugs/shots. I used to have to take a malaria med for other stuff – and BOY, did it give me crazy dreams. I didn’t sleep well for a couple of months. (This is why I used to take it. Past tense.) And the funny thing is, it’s the one med that you are not supposed to get dreams with. So I’m really glad we don’t have to worry about that. I didn’t want to be a space cadet for a few weeks – certainly not when we’re first time parents and getting little sleep as is.
On a totally different but related to adoption note, our second court date is January 28th – so wish us luck. A few families have been getting through lately, even with the changes to the Ethiopian court system. ~I have faint hope.
I feel for you as I have just been through all this needle fun too! Although I get to enjoy the malaria meds as well…. Hope you hear some good news on the 28th!
ouch…how did you feel after that?? I don’t have a fear of the *getting the needle* part so much as the *whats in the needle* part. Or more rightly, how my body will react to it. I tend to be on the wayyy sensitive side so this is an aspect of traveling that still makes me nervous. I guess its a good thing that I have a while to get over that fear. ((grin))
sending oodles of positivity for the 28th!
You had to get a shot in the butt? Ugh!! Thank goodness I didn’t have to.
I’m already sending you positive thoughts for success on the 28th.
Hazel – you said “butt” he he
Hope it’s feeling better soon! I had to take the malaria meds once about 12 years ago, when travelling – and they were the meds that can give you crazy dreams (or make you psycho) – and boy did I ever get crazy, very violent dreams. Thankfully they subsided after a bit (guess I got used to the meds) and stopped altogether once I stopped taking them.
But I remember, when that Canadian army guy in Somalia was accused of murdering a prisoner and it came out that he had been on those meds (not knowing possible side effects) and some people claimed they were what affected him and “made him do it” – well, I had no problem believing that might well have true, seeing as psychosis is a possible side effect of that particular drug. Rare, but possible.
Just as an add on to the anti malarial discussion: there are much better anti malarial drugs that do not cause the crazy dreams and psychotic episodes. Larium is rarely prescribed anymore because of the side effects in approx 25% of people. Did you get a YF waiver? I would definately recommend getting the waiver. The Kelowna travel clinic can provide one. If you didn’t have them refer to the updated TRAVAX document on Ethiopia where it states that “contrary to published reports” YF can be required for entry into Ethiopia. The waiver is probably the safest route!
Here is hoping to travelling soon!
$800 yikes! I now know how blessed I am that my doctor was very supportive and so didn;t charge me when I needed all the various shots for travel to Haiti the first time. Then, when it was time for Ethiopia, being a seasoned veteran, I never even thought about getting vaccines. I guess I’ll have to think about them for next time, though.
Hi Nicky! So this is going back a ways….
I see here that you didn’t get the Yellow Fever vaccine. I’ve been told that if we’re leaving Addis, we should get the YF shot — but I really, really don’t want to mess with that scary live vaccine if I don’t have to! I remember that you went south to Lake Langano and Adama while you were in ETH… I’m assuming you didn’t have any problems without the YF vaccine?
Hiya Gwen!
No problem… happy to answer. Can see the search function works! lol
We didn’t bother with Yellow Fever because it isn’t in that area. Also, you only need it if you come form a country where it is present – Canada, we’re ok!
Awesome, thanks! I’ve been hoping you don’t have site meter or something on here, so you wouldn’t be wondering who has been freakishly stalking your site for travel info. Thanks for all the help & info you give us all!