Photo by Rachel Ellis/The Denver Post)

My COVID-19 Vaccine Experience


Today I’m sharing with you all my experience receiving my COVID-19 Vaccine!  My hope is to educate and help everyone feel more at ease when it’s their turn to receive the vaccine!

I was fortunate enough to get the COVID-19 vaccine in the first phase here in Colorado.  (As a school nurse, we were included in the first phase).

January 1st was the day I received my first Pfizer shot.  IT was documented by the media here hence the photo above.  Otherwise that photo never would’ve been allowed in a hospital or clinic.  😉

 

The morning of my first vaccine I was SO excited.  After hard year, THIS was the light at the end of the tunnel.  SO many people have suffered due to COVID.  Whether it be directly from being sick, having sick loved ones or financial losses, it’s been a really difficult year for our world.  The vaccine….well it’s hope.  Hope that life can begin to get back to normal.  Hope that people all around the world have access and choose to receive the vaccine.  As a nurse I rely on and trust in science. I understand how our bodies work and I feel 100% safe with receiving this vaccine. My only hope is that MORE people will read scientific research to understand the benefits of receiving this vaccine.  Like all vaccines it’s always for the greater good…why not be part of the solution!

I digress…as you can see.  I’m passionate about this vaccine.  (and all for that matter).

So I felt lucky, fortunate, and overall cried tears of joy to receive my vaccine.  I was PUMPED!  I arrived to the hospital early and even wore real clothes!  BOOTS that haven’t left my closet in a year were being worn again!  lol.  #fancy.

First COVID Vaccine:

The whole vaccine took about 20 min.  5 min to register and receive my shot and 15 minutes to wait in a room while I was monitored for any reactions.  Then I went on my way and went home to put sweats back on…#QuarantineFashion is still in full effect.

After receiving my first dose of the vaccine, I didn’t feel really any side effects aside from a dull headache about 5 hours later.  That headache lasted until I went to bed.  I woke up and it was gone!  The arm where I received my vaccine was sore, to be expected with shots though.  Nothing too bad!  I was able to sleep on it with no discomfort.

Three weeks later I received my second shot!

Second COVID Vaccine:

The second dose I was equally as excited about.  After receiving your 2nd vaccine, 14 days after you are NOW considered 95% immune to COVID-19!   You no longer need to quarantine and you no longer need to get tested for asymptomatic testing!  YAY!

Same deal as the first shot.  15 minutes after for observation and I was on my way home.

Within 6 hours I started to feel some nausea kicking in. So I went to bed.  Low and behold that night, my dog woke up sick that night and woke me up.  Immediately when I woke up I felt it.  Horrible nausea, Headache, body aches and the chills.  Back to bed I went.

I woke up the next morning around 9am.  I felt like I had the flu…minus any upper respiratory symptoms.  Fever of 102, horrible headache, body aches, chills and fatigue.  It was my plan.  I knew it was going to happen….so I spent the day on the sofa watching movies with my kids.  I was in and out, sleeping off and on all day.  No appetite, drinking plenty and sleeping a ton.  I went to be at 7pm that night.  Feeling awful still.  I forgot to mention my arm hurt SO bad…but it was the last of my

The next morning it was the strangest thing..I woke up with ZERO symptoms.  You know when you wake up and you’re better from an illness, but not 100%…I was expecting that for some reason.  Nope.   I woke up completely fine!  All the symptoms were gone.

It was a miserable 24 hours, but it was over fast since I slept most the time and it was SO worth it!

 

I have a new sense of security now.  I know I’m safer to be in public, I’m comfortable traveling again and I got to see my Grandparents since we’re immune and they’re vaccinated as well!  It is without a doubt the BEST thing to happen in 2021!

So I share this story today to help encourage others.  If you’re on the fence about the vaccine – please don’t be.  Listen to the scientists, the doctors, your healthcare provider.  THIS is safe.  THIS will save lives. The COVID-19 Vaccine is a MUST!

I hope you all feel a little more aware of what to expect!  Drop your comments below if you have any questions!

 

Stay safe friends!