SHOTS, SHOTS, SHOTS!!!

So, I just got all my shots taken care of. It cost me $305 for all the vaccines and then another $24 in medications that I have to take with me over there. Less than my original estimate, but still a pretty hefty chunk of change. It wasn't too bad getting all the shots, but the yellow fever vaccine was by far the worst. The nurse said it would sting and maybe burn a little. In reality it was like they injected acid into my arm. My whole arm started trying to spasm and I had to clench fist to keep it still. Nurses always use words like a little sting, like a bee sting, or a little burning- it's not that bad. That's what they always say, but really they are always lying. I'm pretty sure it's part of their training to say the same thing each time regardless of what the sensation might actually feel like, that way they don't scare away everyone getting the shots. I even got a big red welt around the area that I got the yellow fever shot at. It's been 6 days and it's still on my arm, still hurts. That's the crappy part. I am also done with my oral typhoid vaccine pills as well. It's 4 pills taken every other day, so it can be hard to remember, but I haven't missed one yet. Luckily as far as reactions go, mine weren't that bad. The day I got all of them I think I was a bit overly emotional and edgy and I got a dull headache for like an hour that day (whether that was from stress in rehearsal or the vaccines is speculative). At one point, I got really dizzy and had to sit down, but thankfully that was it. I've heard of other people who will get really sick and feverish or have stomach problems. And of course then there's the fluke chance of having the vaccine react with your body in a way that could kill you, but I'm still alive, so I guess that's a good sign.

At this point, it's really just playing the waiting game. I've got 4 weeks til departure. And still lots of packing and mental preparation to do, but other than that I'm ready for Africa. The countdown begins...