The Happiest Person To Get A Vaccine

Yesterday I cut my finger on a hummingbird feeder someone gave me. And of course, the edge of the metal was rusty. Hmmm...when did I have my last tetanus shot? Of course I can't find my immunization records. Oh wait, I had to submit them to an outside company for work a long time ago. Look up company. Call them. Find out my last Tdap was in 2010. So do I need one? Look at CDC guidelines. Maybe. Phone a friend who works in infection prevention. Discuss my vaccine status and immune function. Decide it is better to be safe than sorry. Call our local clinic and ask for an appointment for Tdap. Bureaucracy. Even though I've been seen by specialists and urgent care there, I need to establish care with a primary care provider. Nope, not happening. I have an internist elsewhere, but it's too far to drive just for a vaccine. I can come to urgent care, sit and wait. That's not happening either. Put the scheduling person on hold and call my kiddo's pediatrician to ask for help. TOTALLY gets all that I'm juggling and orders Tdap for me to be given at the nearest clinic. Finally the scheduler agrees to a nurse appointment for the vaccine the next morning.

Arrive at clinic. Check in. Sit down. Nod off for literally two minutes before I'm called back. In and out within three minutes. The nurse comments that I'm the happiest person she has ever seen come to get a vaccine. Frankly, I'm just glad it was quick, done, and I can get on with my day. Really, it's the little things that are easy that make me SO happy.

Lessons of the day: The system doesn't always work for everyone. Make it work for you. And have allies within your healthcare team who are empathetic and willing to think outside of the box.