The Lion's Pride Volume 10 (Spring 2018) | Page 49

A Quick Little Prick
de-Anna Martin
The story describes my experience of needing the TDaP vaccination as I
traverse on the journey to start training for my second career with the
goal of becoming a nurse.
On a cold dreary Friday morning in January 2018, I checked in to the
Virginia Mason allergy clinic. I was nervous and excited about the
outcome of my visit to receive a vaccine. It was as if I was sitting in the
viewing gallery of an operating room sitting on the edge of my chair
anticipating the first incision of a surgery. Not only was this visit a
turning point for me, but also one that would determine whether I could
advance towards a career in healthcare. Vaccines are antigens given to
prevent life-threatening diseases. They are administered from syringes
with hypodermic needles. This activity is called vaccination, commonly
known as getting a shot. The injection of a shot is usually delivered
quickly and is relatively painless. The outcome of the vaccination often
is underestimated for the benefit of immunization. However, the shot
can be as a deadly as the disease itself. As I would learn, it can be life-
threatening to be inoculated.
It started back when I was a teenager, around 15, waiting for the good
ole’ booster shot all kids must have for school and sports activities. Until
this time, I did not have a reason to be nervous or afraid of shots. “Yeah,
a shot can make your arm a little sore, but it’s a quick prick,” said the
nurse. I was not apprehensive before the shot. I received the injection