A Shot in the Arm
Literally, and figuratively.
The other day when I was a the doctor's office for a routine blood pressure check (which, surprisingly, was just fine), my internist offered me a flu shot. Now, I've been getting an annual flu shot since 1993, when I knew I was going to fly to my parents' house for Christmas. I had been having asthmatic symptoms, and I worried I might pick something up on the flight. I guess I should knock on wood or something after I type this, but I haven't gotten a full-fledged, honest-to-goodness case of influenza since I started getting the annual shots. So... I mean, I had already made the co-payment. Might as well get my $15 worth, huh?
Well, damn! Flu shots, I've found, are pretty tame as far as administration is concerned. Sure, there's a bit of a sting, but it's not the "this is going to hurt so bad that I'm going to need a lollipop to shut me up afterwards" searing bee-type sting. And this one was no exception... but later... oh, later. It was like someone had slugged me in the shoulder with a baseball bat. It wasn't just my upper arm. The throbbing ache spread throughout my upper back and up my neck. I don't think I've ever had such an intense reaction to an inoculation. It took a couple of days to abate.
I'm not saying you shouldn't get the shot this year, 'cause who knows how it's going to affect you, and avoiding the flu is a good thing. But shoot--I might just take some kind of painkiller before I subject myself to another shot!
Now, for the figurative.
I really need something to motivate me. Maybe it's not a shot in the arm. Maybe it's a kick in the ass. I don't know. The boxes with the pieces of the new bookshelves for the office/guest-room/once-was-Shelly's-hangout have been here for a couple of months, and they are still propped in the hallway, just inside our door. I've been foregoing my usual salad in the lunchroom at work for the heavy "comfort food" fare they always serve. It's never all that good--truth to tell, the salad bar is a much tastier choice all around--but it's almost as if it's too much of an effort to assemble my own healthful meal. I've worked out maybe once in the last three weeks--and it's prime time for running along the lakefront! Crisp temperature, soft lake breeze... but I can't get my lazy butt in gear and my shoes on. And man, I'm starting to feel the effects of crappy food choices and lazing around. And don't, whatever you do, ask me about the novel. I think about the little preface. I do. I have about four or five docs started with different options. Operative word: started.
So... I need a shot in the arm, a kick in the ass, a knock upside the head.
Maybe I need to start making obsessive lists again...
The other day when I was a the doctor's office for a routine blood pressure check (which, surprisingly, was just fine), my internist offered me a flu shot. Now, I've been getting an annual flu shot since 1993, when I knew I was going to fly to my parents' house for Christmas. I had been having asthmatic symptoms, and I worried I might pick something up on the flight. I guess I should knock on wood or something after I type this, but I haven't gotten a full-fledged, honest-to-goodness case of influenza since I started getting the annual shots. So... I mean, I had already made the co-payment. Might as well get my $15 worth, huh?
Well, damn! Flu shots, I've found, are pretty tame as far as administration is concerned. Sure, there's a bit of a sting, but it's not the "this is going to hurt so bad that I'm going to need a lollipop to shut me up afterwards" searing bee-type sting. And this one was no exception... but later... oh, later. It was like someone had slugged me in the shoulder with a baseball bat. It wasn't just my upper arm. The throbbing ache spread throughout my upper back and up my neck. I don't think I've ever had such an intense reaction to an inoculation. It took a couple of days to abate.
I'm not saying you shouldn't get the shot this year, 'cause who knows how it's going to affect you, and avoiding the flu is a good thing. But shoot--I might just take some kind of painkiller before I subject myself to another shot!
Now, for the figurative.
I really need something to motivate me. Maybe it's not a shot in the arm. Maybe it's a kick in the ass. I don't know. The boxes with the pieces of the new bookshelves for the office/guest-room/once-was-Shelly's-hangout have been here for a couple of months, and they are still propped in the hallway, just inside our door. I've been foregoing my usual salad in the lunchroom at work for the heavy "comfort food" fare they always serve. It's never all that good--truth to tell, the salad bar is a much tastier choice all around--but it's almost as if it's too much of an effort to assemble my own healthful meal. I've worked out maybe once in the last three weeks--and it's prime time for running along the lakefront! Crisp temperature, soft lake breeze... but I can't get my lazy butt in gear and my shoes on. And man, I'm starting to feel the effects of crappy food choices and lazing around. And don't, whatever you do, ask me about the novel. I think about the little preface. I do. I have about four or five docs started with different options. Operative word: started.
So... I need a shot in the arm, a kick in the ass, a knock upside the head.
Maybe I need to start making obsessive lists again...
Labels: flu shot, my lazy ass
posted by Cathy VanPatten at 8:18 PM
4 Comments:
Flu shots. Well, as a general rule they're supposed to ache post-injection, which sucks deeply, but it's just the immune system being stimulated* to do what it's supposed to do and a clear indicator that, yes, the damned thing took. I've heard other people say they've had more of a response than they've ever had to this year's shot. I have no idea what that's about.
*and not in a fun, spanky kind of way.
Motivation. *sigh* I having more than a few problems with that myself and I don't know why. There're things I need to do, things I want to do, but I wind up watching House marathons or sleeping instead. I'm even having trouble getting motivated enough to read all the cool books I have lying around and that's damned unusual.
Again, I have no idea what's up with this.
Ouch! Flu shots always hurt afterwards, but they shouldn't hurt that much! But a good reminder because Steven and I both need to get them. Steven, especially.
As for motivation, I'm no help. I've been down with a cold for almost a week, and it's all I can do to get myself out of my chair to take care of basic needs around here. And I have people who have sent me paper for doing some Star Wars stamping for them, and I've done nothing. Of course, I'm getting the let-me-know-when-you've-mailed-them emails, which means they're getting anxious...
I could use that kick in the pants, too, please!
Cath.... when you get here to beautiful Waynesboro, I'll be happy to give you a kick in the ass and a knock upside yo' head! What are friends for? Hey, we can kick each other's asses cause I ain't doin' anything either and I feel like a total slug.......
See you in a week!
Love and kisses, Barb
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