Anthrax Shots Hurt!

Just so you know, in case you ever become a goat or sheep herder or join the military, the anthrax series of vaccinations hurt!  Yesterday I got stuck with the longest needle I’ve ever seen.  The guy in front of me was bleeding after he got stuck.  The subsequent injection was thankfully uneventful.  I didn’t think it was too bad until I rolled over on my left shoulder in the early morning hours.  It was painful enough that it woke me up.  It got me thinking about all the vaccinations I’ve had over the years to ensure that I am protected against some pretty nasty diseases, whether in the form of Mother Nature or biological weapons.

Adenovirus, Anthrax, Hepatitis A & B, Influenza, H1N1 Influenza, Meningitis Conjugate, Measles Mumps and Rubella, Pneumococcal, Polio, Tetanus/Diphtheria, Typhoid, Varicella, and Yellow Fever.  My personal favorite was Smallpox.  It’s given by a fork-like needle and you’re poked several times on your upper shoulder.  After a few days the area blisters up.  You cannot scratch or pick at it or it’ll spread and blister again, thus repeating the process.  After the blister scabs up and falls off you’re left with a nice little scar.  Pretty good stuff.

Just never really thought about all of the stuff I’m injected with on a fairly regular basis.

I found out for sure today where I’m going to end up while I am deployed in Afghanistan.  I will ultimately end up at FOB Dwyer in southern Helmand Province.  I was also pretty happy to find that a couple of my buddies will be going with me.  I cannot explain how important it is to have friends with you while you’re deployed.  You share the good times, as well as the bad.  (I probably don’t have to further explain what a bad time in a combat zone would entail.)  I’m glad TK is going.  It’d be a short list for those that I would want to go into harm’s way with, and he’s close to the top.  He’s a good friend, a good confidant, and a good Marine.  I know we’ll do a good job taking care of each other and in the meantime make some good memories doing so.

Since I started this blog yesterday I’ve felt the need to put my deeper thoughts in writing.  Both days I’ve written I just cannot bring myself to do so.  I have a lot on my mind, a lot I want to say, if not to everyone else, but to myself.  Thus far you’ve only been privy to some of my random thoughts.  Stand by and hang in there.  All in due time.  For now this is my side of the story.