Yesterday my beloved editor Brenda Copeland asked me if I had gotten a flu shot yet. “No, no,” I replied, ”I never get the flu shot. Never get sick, really.”
But instead of feeling the surge of self-satisfaction that I was anticipating, I was, instead, stricken with a case of bad deja vu. I recalled a blog entry that I wrote last year about the flu shot which I have just retrieved so that I can reprint it below:
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I’ll be fine, really
At our last monthly Ambulance Association meeting, Bernie, our EMS chief, announced that flu shots were available to those members of the crew who wanted them. Apparently, EMTs are eligible for free flu shots or something. Actually, I’m not entirely sure what Bernie said about the shots because I felt that it was important to inform those around me that I’ve never had a flu shot. ”I’ve never had the shot and I never get the flu,” I whispered to K, who was seated to my right. (I’ll protect the privacy of all EMTs in this story except Bernie). K whispered back, “Me neither. I don’t think I’ve ever had the flu in my life.” Then M, on my left, offered, “I’ve never had the shot either. I never really get sick.”
Now that K and M had met my health brag, I felt compelled to up the ante and brazenly murmured, ”I’m NEVER sick. Ever. Don’t know why, I just never seem to catch the stuff that’s going around, not even colds.” K and M both mumbled their similar exemplary health reports and then, satisfied that there was nowhere to go from here, short of stating the obvious – that we were clearly made of exceptional stuff – the three of us sat back and drew the air into our robust respiratory systems and then we exhaled collectively into the room full of all the weak flu-prone people. The people who must have shots to support their feeble immune systems, who, probably, despite the shots, were still laid up for many weeks each winter with this virus or that, while we kissed our sick spouses and rarely washed our hands and scoffed at use-by dates on dairy products and STILL never got sick . Bernie was droning on about some kind of regulation or another but we were mentally reviewing our bright, shining vital stats; our low blood-pressures and cholesterol levels, our steady heart rates, our boundless energy that belied our advancing ages (I feel comfortable assuming and sharing K and M’s thoughts, I don’t think they’d mind).
“I don’t even take vitamins,” I chirped, just as the meeting was drawing to a close. M laughed and shook his head when he heard the word vitamins. ”I wouldn’t even know where to buy them,” scoffed he, before springing to his feet and stepping sprightly off. ”I only took them while I was pregnant,” said K. ”With the twins,” she added. Unfortunately, she left before I could top her twin pregnancy with the results of my recent bone-density screening (I have the bones of a 30-year-old 20-year-old toddler, if you were wondering).
Oh, would that I could go back to those days of health and vitality and innocence.
People, I am sick. Lord knows, I’m not one to complain, but it occurred to me that some of you might not follow me on Facebook or on Twitter, and so you might not know the extent of my suffering during the past week. I have been sick with a fever/congestion/sore throat/cough thing that, once I became afflicted with it, forced me to recall how many other times I have had it. I was this sick last fall and again in the winter. And the fall and winter before that, and the one before that. I get viruses all the time. I’m a sickie.
But I’m on the mend, so no need for prayers and gift baskets.
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So, today, I got my very first flu shot! Thank you Brenda for editing my book and also saving my life.
I am proud of you. Now go lie down.
I am glad you got your flu shot. Remember your book tour is coming up, and not everyone will get thier flu shots…as my son says “I don’t go near anyone in a crowd, they are are coughing and sneezing!! I don’t want to be contaminated”. I think he has issues…I’m OCD about handwashing in the first place.
I told my doctor I wouldn’t mind the flu. I’m so overwhelmed with home and work and groaning in bed would allow me to mentally drop out for a while. She was not impressed and knew that I had never experienced the flu.
Awww, feel better, Ann. I agree with Rose Ward about crowds. Get a giant bottle of antibacterial gel and keep it right next to you at the book signings.
And so did I wash my hands today…was in the middle of a combat zone with my frail elderly..Glad you found a flu shot..and Remember..Use your own pen on the Book tour…sharing and being kind as you are, is nice but not when it comes to Pens..hope this books is Audio my favorite form for reading..
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I’m glad to read you got the shot!! Better safe than sorry especially with yout busy schedule with the book signing coming up! Be well! Looking forward to seeing you at the Hickory Stick on February 9th! Can’t wait to read “The Good House”.
Hubby and I will be getting ours tomorrow at Walgreens!
Good thing you got the shot Ann….better to be safe than sorry…
Fever/congestion/sore throat/never ending cough? Same symptoms for me last week!
Viral I’m sure
Stay strong everybody!!!
Wait till you hit 65 and they give you the pneumonia shot. Then you NEVER get sick again…until you die of something. I’m still waiting for that shot that stops fat from clinging after eating chocolate!
Good for you; hope it helps keep you healthy during the book tour. There was a story on ABC News Friday night about a product called Sambucol (black elderberry extract) that has good anti-viral properties. Heard about it on a Dr. Oz show a while back also. It’s on my shopping list. Have a great tour!
Nancy, I was in the health food store today and a salesperson suggested i buy it. I bought it in liquid form. Really yummy!
I just heard from a friend who is an EMT here in CT (not Bernie) that the flu shot that everyone is getting is not for the kind of flu that is going around. I hope she’s wrong. Just reading this blog post made me feel as though I’d been exposed!
Great!
I just read an article about why even healthy young(ish) people should get the vaccine. It is because of it provides a level of “herd immunity.” Those who are vaccinated provide a sort of firewall in a population, blocking the virus from spreading more rapidly. So now I am feeling quite sanctimonious. You’re welcome, herd mates. You’re quite welcome.
The CDC says the flu shot is an excellent match this year for the three main flu strains circulating. The flu strain most are getting is a mutated H3N2 which is slightly different last year’s flu season H3N2.
However, the flu seasons in which H3N2 dominates are always more severe, with higher numbers of hospitalizations and deaths. (Some may remember the Hong Kong flu of 1968/1969 when multiple subtypes reassorted to form a new virus and 1 million people died. I was in school then and half the class was out sick.)
What makes this year unusual was that the flu started during Thanksgiving instead of around the new year. However, this has happened before, most recently in 2003/2004 when H3N2 was the dominant strain and flu started in Oct. and was pretty much over by the time the flu normally peaks in Feb. or March.
This year’s flu shot is 62 percent effective — typical for most years — and those who get the flu despite getting the vaccine get a much milder disease. Those getting a flu shot should get it sooner rather than later because it take two weeks for antibodies to develop in the body. They are working on a more effective vaccine. A lot has to do with the age and health of the person. For young healthy adults the flu vaccine works about 100 percent if it has the right flu strains. For the very young, the very old and the very sick, the vaccine doesn’t work as well because the person’s immunity doesn’t develop enough antibodies.
This is why herd immunity is so important. If those who have contact with infants, children, the very sick and the aged get the flu shot if reduces the risk of the flu spreading to these groups who either cannot get the flu shot — infants under the age of six months — or the elderly who get the flu shot but it doesn’t work that well.
However, there is a new flu shot for those age 65 and older which is stronger and is supposed to work better. We’ll see at the end of this flu season how well it worked.
Everyone, please forget what I said about hong kong flu. This year’s flu no way close, it’s just that this type of flu results in people being sicker and going more to the hospital compared to milder years. It’s about as bad as 2003/2004. It seems worse because the last few years were pretty mild and were dominated by H1N1.
I just recently watched that Gwenyth Paltrow/Matt Damon movie Contagion, which is about a deadly pig/bat virus that kills half of mankind. Now whenever I see news reports warning of the flu epidemic I find myself petrified. I’m embarrassed to admit that I’ve been staying away from the public as much as possible for a few weeks because I have a two year old and toddlers basically lick each other for a living. Also, I’m about to have a baby next month so I feel that I should be wearing that designer hazmat outfit you posted about recently. Whatever you do, don’t watch that movie. Unless you want to suddenly become terrified of air.
Also, my stubborn Irish husband doesn’t think he needs the flu shot. Ahem.
Lauren,
I hope I didn’t say anything to cause you any further concern. This is considered a moderate year for seasonal flu so we’ve gone through it all before. However, you are just the demographic doctors warn the most about — pregnant women with small children. Both you and your toddler are at higher risk so you have every right to be concerned. In fact, doctors have been advising everyone to avoid crowds. I don’t know why we all don’t wear Ann’s welding mask.
On TV they were just advertising a two-day $69 trip from Albany to Atlantic City, which includes motor coach, hotel, $15 Slot Bonus and $25 Food Voucher so evidently more people are staying at home.
No worries, Sandy! I was paranoid long before I read your comments. But I suppose there is nothing wrong with extra caution and hand washing. I wish Scott Pelley would stop airing tearjerker reports of children who have recently died from the flu. I’m usually an “eat a pound of dirt like we did” type of mom, but not this winter.
Stayed up late to finish the book last night. It’s crackerjack storytelling, and without casting any aspersions on yr earlier books, which were very different, there is a palpable maturity of style and craft here. And as someone from a long line of New England immigrants who know both the value and price of a well made cocktail, I can say that it’s very smart about the drink. I am delighted for you. Start working on the next one.
Wow, thank you CB!
Ann, you’re so funny!! I remember that post. I got a shot today too, at Walgreens. In agreement with Sandy, my shot technician told me (in response to all my questions- will I get sick? Can my 13 year old daughter get one?) that this year’s shot is indeed a good match for what’s going around. They can’t always match it exactly, but this year it’s a good bet to get it. I used to get them all the time, when I worked in big entertainment offices, where everyone uses each other’s phone (and I worked at the “Evil Empire” years ago- you and Denis will know where) but since my daughter came on the scene, have not had them for over 10 years. Even though I work from home and will not be shaking hands like you will be soon Ann- better safe than sorry!!!
Gail
The flu shot has helped me tremendously. My former doctor, a world renowned doctor, with an ego to match his reputation (overrated, grossly) scared me into not getting one for 10 years. I had numerous miserable bouts of about. I finally woke up and started getting them, I have been flu free for years.
My 4 month Great Dane puppy is sleeping at my feet. He is docile and gentle, and defers to Lily Belle, who is gradually getting used to him. She was quite scared, curious, and hostile at first. Male GDs grow between 130 lbs to 200 lbs (!!!). He will receive proper, loving training and a vet check soon.
Gloria
Oh, my, Gloria!! Congratulations on your new family member! I recollect you posting here some time ago, about wanting a different breed…a bulldog, maybe? How did you come to decide on a Great Dane? What is his or her name? Looking forward to hearing all about your adventure with your gentle giant. I imagine you can almost see him/her growing by the minute.
Hi Maureen!
How is Gauge doing? He must be big now. I recall how you were looking forwards to seeing him. Luca is the chosen name for my Great Dane. He only arrived a few days ago. I bathed him and brushed his coat, until I was exhausted. He has a gleaming black coat, huge white paws, and white markings on his chest. Thankfully he is friendly and docile without being the kind of slobbering, over eager, “LOVE ME!!” type who jumps on everyone. To watch him and Lily Belle (8lbs) checking each other out is funny. He wants to play, she does too but is more hesitant. I am very fond of him just after 3 days, imagine the years to come.
Thank you for asking.
Gloria
Hi Gloria!! My Gauge is doing just great…how sweet of you to remember him. He will be two years old in May. He is very smart and has been easy to train. His biggest fault is his abundant enthusiasm for absolutely EVERYTHING!! but, that is not the worst fault a dog can have, and is part of his charm. Gauge learned to swim this past summer, and he absolutely loved the water. He has filled a huge, gaping hole in our hearts, in our home, and in our lives. For many reasons, we believe he is a very special dog who was meant to be ours.
Your Luca sounds like a beautiful dog. That must be something to see, he and Lily Belle together. I imagine that will be endlessly entertaining, especially as he gets bigger. It’s amazing how quickly they work their way into our hearts. I truly believe there is nothing like the love and companionship you get from a dog. How nice that you have another one to cherish and love. I wish you much happiness with him and look forward to hearing more about his puppyhood.
Maureen Xo
Ha! So enjoyed reading this one again — a personal favorite!!
“… ,and then, satisfied that there was nowhere to go from here, short of stating the obvious – that we were clearly made of exceptional stuff – the three of us sat back and drew the air into our robust respiratory systems and then we exhaled collectively into the room full of all the weak flu-prone people.”
ROFL!
I always thank people who get the flu shot (THANK YOU!). My middle son, a teenager, has underlying health issues and has become seriously ill from flu complications twice. Last year involved a staph infection and surgery. The fewer people who have the flu around him (and other people who are at risk of complications), the safer he is.