She called me "Missy"!

[MooseMom]

My transplant team has strongly encouraged me to get the new, dead virus Shingrix vaccine to protect me from shingles.  Anyone who has tried getting this two dose vaccine knows that supplies are very low and demand is very high.

I contacted my PCP and asked to be put on the wait list.  About an hour later, the nurse called and said that they'd just received a new shipment that very morning and that she'd put two doses to the side just for little ol' immunosuppressed me.  I expressed my appreciation and said I'd be in within the week.

So, I go in yesterday for the first shot.  The office closes at noon for a lunch hour.  I got there at about twenty minutes before their closing. It doesn't take that long to give someone a shot.   I sign in and sit and wait.  Several minutes pass, and a young nurse who I have never seen before opens the door and calls my name.  I get up and follow her.  As she is leading me through the corridor, she exclaims, "Well, you cut it pretty close there, Missy!" 

I was so dumbfounded at the impertinence that I must have halted in my tracks.  This woman must have been in her 20s; do people in their 20s call ANYONE "Missy"?  I didn't know whether to laugh or to feel insulted.  The word "infantilize" popped into my head.

Then she started blathering on about how lucky I was to have jumped the queue, that if it were not for my transplant, I'd be at the bottom of the list.  I just KNEW someone was going to go down this particular road, so I quite strongly insisted that needing a new organ was not my idea of striking it lucky.

  

Has anyone else received the Shingrix vaccine?  Anyone plan to?

[Rerun]

No, Missy, I have not.  But, I have had Shingles and they suck.  I went and received acupuncture and that really helped.  I hate needles but these don't hurt.  They even put one in my ear.  It is all about nerves so it worked for me. 

These young people get on my nerves (no pun intended) when they ask "so you doing anything fun the rest of the day?"  I want to say "yea, skydiving and then flying to France for the weekend". 

No, I'm not doing anything FUN!  I'm 57 old and on dialysis three times a week!   

They even ask that at the bank and grocery store!  What happened to "how are you?"  "fine" end of story. 

 

[MooseMom]

Well, I've never heard of putting needles in your ears to ease the pain of shingles.  LOL!  That's a new one on me.  I'm sorry you had shingles, but I'm glad to hear that the acupuncture worked for you!  That's really interesting!

I know...people can get really chatty.  I'm not always in the mood for chatty.

[UkrainianTracksuit]

If you recall on the Shingles thread on here, you may recall that I asked about Shingrix and immune-compromised people under 50. I asked my transplant doctor and he told me since I am younger, but still immune compromised, I can wait until more relevant research regarding transplant patients in available. Yes, it's fine to take as a dead vaccine, but since he's all researchy, he wants to see more prior to extending the suggestion to a larger group of patients.

As for the chatty people, they used to annoy the hell out of me, especially at the dentist! It's like they all were required to take a small talk course. There's the "are you doing anything fun?" question as well as "do you have pets?", "do you do any winter sports?", "do you have any plans for the spring?" 

Usually now, for all sorts of questions, I reply, "yes, collusion." or "infiltrating a "country's" election system" which is funny because of my accent. I answer the pet question as normal, though.

[KatieV]

Usually now, for all sorts of questions, I reply, "yes, collusion." or "infiltrating a "country's" election system" which is funny because of my accent. I answer the pet question as normal, though.

 

[MooseMom]

UT, you'll have to come up with a subversive answer to the pet question!   

It's probably just as well that you wait for the Shingrix vaccination until you are "of a certain age".  Shingles doesn't usually present itself until you're older, anyway, so why bother with a vaccination when you are younger?  Not only that, but if where you live is experiencing the supply shortage that we are seeing here, it's probably best to let those in the most need have priority access to it.

Rerun, I just remembered something.  My father had shingles, and he went to an acupuncturist, too!  Perhaps that's more common than I realized!

[UkrainianTracksuit]

Actually, I was advised that I am at risk for shingles because I am immune compromised, even at a younger age. So, go figure! So are cancer patients and HIV positive people no matter their age. The reason it typically manifests with age (as it shows up in the over 50 population) is that aging results in a weaker immune system. * edited to say that I know you already know this!

But like the doc said, I have more time to wait on the research on Shingrix's use with solid organ transplant patients. It's safe and all that but they want to see the "after" I guess. I'm followed closely by the head of the transplant infectious disease team and I think half the time they like to scare me about things...  But you're right though in that senior citizens, HIV patients and cancer patients need it ahead of me.

Besides, they are on my case about Gardasil now they've extended the age range. Vaccines for everyone! YOU get a vaccine! And YOU get a vaccine! Yaaaay!

As for subversive pets, that might happen. My husband (who is away) wants a Chernobyl puppy. After not having a dog for years, I can't imagine dealing with the poop again, so I keep stalling. But, we could be colluding with our radioactive puppy!

[MooseMom]

Actually, I was advised that I am at risk for shingles because I am immune compromised, even at a younger age. So, go figure! So are cancer patients and HIV positive people no matter their age. The reason it typically manifests with age (as it shows up in the over 50 population) is that aging results in a weaker immune system. * edited to say that I know you already know this!

I DIDN'T know that a younger immunocompromised person was still considered to be at risk for shingles, so thanks for that bit of information!  I guess it makes sense, though.  No doubt your transplant team wants to be extra cautious.  Did they give you any sort of time frame in which they would at last be reassured it would be safe for you?  I'd be interested to know.

As for subversive pets, that might happen. My husband (who is away) wants a Chernobyl puppy. After not having a dog for years, I can't imagine dealing with the poop again, so I keep stalling. But, we could be colluding with our radioactive puppy!

Oh, this is brilliant.  "No, I do not have a pet but am hoping to get a rescue dog from Chernobyl!"