Good health

I had a physical exam done Monday. It's something I try to do at least yearly. Just a quick check up to make sure I'm okay. It doesn't cost much, and I figure this way, if I'm coming down with something, hopefully, it'll be detected early enough and treated before it becomes something more serious and costly.

I had some lab work done and my results were fine. My titers were good, but my immunization record showed that I was way over due for a Hepatitis B vaccine booster. The last time I got the shot was ten years ago. Now, they advise a booster shot every 5 years. Even though my titers showed that I still had good immunity, I decided to go ahead and get the booster shot. I didn't even feel a serious sting when the needle went in. I left the office feeling upbeat and proud that I was in good health, glad that I got my shots updated.

Then this morning, I woke up with a stiffness and soreness in my left arm, where I got the shot. It was a little hard taking a shower and getting dressed for work. By the time it was mid morning, the soreness and stiffness had spread to my left shoulder blade. My left shoulder was starting to hurt when I moved it, and it was very hard to type stuff while trying to keep my left arm in position. It was starting to distract me, and I found myself massaging my shoulder, trying to ease that growing pain.

I had forgotten how much it hurt getting that Hep B vaccine. I must've blanked it out--which probably explained why I didn't get that booster done years ago. I was starting to recall how painful and sore my arm was for days after getting that shot. I was really feeling it now. Right before lunch, my shoulder was throbbing! It felt like I had been hit by truck, robbed of my shoes, and left for dead on the side of the road!

I met a friend for lunch and he asked me what was wrong. I told him that my left arm was really sore and stiff from the booster shot I got during my check up. He cracked up and told me that I ought to try alternating arms when I'm giving myself a check up; and that using the other arm feels like it's a whole other person doing the check up. Bastard. I cussed him out and if my shoulder wasn't hurting, I'd've hit him. But I guess it's only fair, because last week, when he complained about a sore knee, I told him to try using knee pads when servicing his clients.

Luckily, after lunch, the pain lessened a bit and became tolerable. I was able to put it mostly out of my mind and finish my work. Now, it's just a dull ache. Tomorrow morning, I'll probably feel it getting worse again. But I've packed some pain killers to take to work with me. And in another day or two, the pain should go away all together, and I can return to doing more pleasant activities. But until then, I just have to remind myself that what does not kill me, makes me stronger.