Yellow Fever Vaccine -- I have survived!

It's been just over a week now since I subjected my arm to a Yellow Fever vaccine shot. The spot is still a little tender, but all the rest of the symptoms disappeared (after intensifying) in just under 5 days.

It looked like my husband was going to get off scot-free, but oh no, the vaccine had him it its sights, too; it just took a few more days to get going. He went through the aching muscles, the sore arm, and a little more. His aching extended right up and down the left side of his body (same side as the needle site) and included his finger tips. But, like me, all symptoms mercifully disappeared after a couple of days.

Having read a recent update by Health Canada about increased occurrences of Yellow Fever in Brazil and the possibility of death, my husband and I are both very glad to have gotten the shot, in spite of the side effects.

Now we have the possible side effects of Malarone (malaria drug) to look forward to. We've already been hit with the expense. Ouch. Nearly $70 for 12 measly pills.

Worried about your own Yellow Fever shot? Here's a great Yellow Fever PDF link.

And here's a travel report on Brazil for Canadians.

And for the complete lowdown on Yellow Fever and all it entails, try this Canadian government site.

Wishing you safe and happy travels,
Sheree

Flickr River - An endless stream of photographs!

If you haven't tried posting to FLickr and using some of the toys associated with this popular photo-sharing site, you are missing out.

Sheree

I have survived the Yellow Fever vacine! I think!

Well, the news looks good. It would seem I am not going to die. It just felt that way.

It is now 3 days after my Yellow Fever vaccination and I am faring much better. The tenderness in my armpit and the underside of my arm is very faint. That's after last night, when everything on me hurt. At one point, it felt like a giant vice grip had closed across my back, making my breathing somewhat labored, not difficult, just heavy.

Today all seems fine. Except for the minor tenderness. And a tiny stomach upset.

I'm not sure if all is well because the advisory sheet says all side effects will be seen in 5-10 days. Have I experienced all that I am to experience? Or is there more to come?

Stay tuned.

Cheers,
Sheree

PS The above picture is called "Emerald Portal."

Yellow Fever Innoculations! Should you or shouldn't you?

We are headed for the Amazon in the new year. Booking the trip was the easy part, but getting the Brazil visa and all the necessary shots, well, that's quite another affair. And, unfortunately, because of all the diseases spread by nasty Amazonian mosquitoes, a Yellow Fever shot is a must.


Because I am dealing with the side effects of a Yellow Fever shot, I thought I'd share.


I think the worst part is the anxiety. According to the health nurse who gave us our shots, there is only a 5% chance of being one of the very unlucky few who can actually die from the shot. But because the Yellow Fever shot is composed of a live virus, we must wait out the 5-10 day incubation period, so I have to await the final outcome.


My husband got his shot the same day and apart from a little tenderness in the first few hours following the shot, he seems to be one of the lucky ones who will experience no side effects.


But I am not so lucky.


I take no drugs at all, of any kind, not even an aspirin, so I am very sensitive to anything new being introduced into my body.


At first, I experienced a slight soreness in the injection area. No big deal, I just made sure I didn't lie on my arm. But today, I am experiencing much more. Pain and tenderness runs under my arm, through the muscle below the injection site, and all through my armpit, my lymph nodes, and up into my neck muscles. This is not good; I teach a class today.


But I will tough it out. We'll see if this is just a passing thing. I truly hope it is.

Cheers,
Sheree

Alberta Autumn Celebration

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Summer has Rusted into Fall Here in Alberta

Time to batton down the hatches here in western Canada. We've just been treated to record-breaking heat this past week, and the most glorious paint palette Nature could ever provide, but we know snow is just over the horizon.



The air is crisp and clean, with the pungent hint of woodsmoke and tree sap. It's almost intoxicating to take a walk through the woods, or a local garden center.




Thought I'd share some of the color surrounding us.





Cheers,
Sheree Zielke