The Price of the Academic Life
September 1, 2007
There are many ways in which one might critique the “garden state” of New Jersey, but today I am bemoaning (vocally) their strict immunization laws for students. Aside from a few unfortunate shots in the butt (to remedy nausea) and the foot (to remedy swelling) and giving blood, I have avoided the needle and arm scenario for the past five years. And I have been grateful - I have not taken that fact for granted. I do still remember how much that first tetanus shot at the tender age of sixteen left my arm limp and in excessive pain.
Sadly, on our last day of “vacation” I got an e-mail letting me know I could not register for classes until I had completed the required immunizations. I personally don’t remember any mention of this particular obligation in the admission or orientation information, but Adam ever-so-kindly told me ‘duh - everyone knows you have to get shots to go to school.’ Clearly IF that information was shared with me I did a phenomenal job of blocking it - and for good reason: Thursday afternoon I was the slightly-less-than-grateful recipient of a tetanus shot in my left arm AND a meningitis shot in my right arm. And this coming week I will be receiving yet another TB test.
My memories of my first tetanus shot do not do justice to the sheer pain still coursing through my arm today. I faithfully take advil every four hours and still … raising my arm above my head (like to put my shirt on or get something down from the cupboard, or wash my hair) … so painful. And a meningitis shot? Not that painless either - the problem with a shot in both arms at the same time is you really can’t sleep on either side and as I’m a side sleeper, this is quite obnoxious.
Meanwhile, I am dutifully studying for the GREs and I am getting stupider. I took my second practice test today after almost a month of fairly regular studying and I did worse.
I’m not really feeling like life is treating me too kindly these days - and it is starting to miff me.
Posted in uncategorized by Sarah
