The Lion's Pride Volume 10 (Spring 2018) | Page 54

and not detecting symptoms that would support a medical emergency,
she gives me a choice. “Stay the course and continue with the next shot
or stop?” she asks. While I am deciding and completely in my head, she
adds more for me to think about. She is willing to pen a letter stating that
I am 20% inoculated with the louder portion of her words, but she
reminds me that stopping this process will limit my ability to work in
direct patient care. I think about it and slow my breathing. The reaction
was not severe enough to completely close off my airway, so I receive
with the next 20% syringe. When the doctor observes no changes during
the next observation time, she asks if I want to receive the final dose. I
respond by throwing up my hands and saying, “why not, I’m here! I
cannot go into healthcare unless I have 100% of the vaccine. Shoot me
up with that last 60%!” I then wait.
I am alive and breathing. I have conquered this TDaP vaccine, and in
10 years I will need this shot again. I ask my doctor for guidance on
what to do in the future and her response was “Schedule an observation
administration again.” I am now immune to the diseases targeted for the
TDaP vaccine. Like an airline announcement after reaching ten thousand
feet, I am now free to move around the medi cal facility.