The Copeland Ramblings

Yesterday we were able to complete another task from our Guinea check list, the list is getting smaller! We traveled to Walkerton (incidentally Canaan’s birthplace) and visited the public health nurse to get all the vaccinations necessary to travel to Guinea. We discovered that we probably should have had these done a couple of weeks ago. We were supposed to get a shot that covers both Hep A and B but you have to get a second shot in 28 days for it to be effective and we’re leaving in 25! But, the nurses discussed other options and they came up with another plan. Debra and I received Hep A, B and Typhoid shots while Canaan received the Hep A, B and the Measles, Mumps & Rubella shot. Because our departure date was too soon for the combined Hep A and B shots we got them separate and we’ll have to go back in later this summer for a booster.

It was also discovered upon looking at Canaan’s vaccination records that the nurse who had previously given him his regular shots had mixed up the order and given him a few shots way too early and had missed his six month shots! All the shots she gave Canaan too early are useless and have to be done again.

Canaan did great, he received three shots right in the middle of his normal nap time. The first needle surprised him, the second needle shocked him and when she was rubbing the alcohol on his arm for the third one he knew what was coming. He was exhausted, and balled for a minute or so but recovered quickly. The nurses just couldn’t get enough of him though and enjoyed him immensely.

All in all it was a great trip, we actually had a bit of fun, the nurses were great to chat with and question, it was a much better experience than our trip to get yellow fever shots a couple of weeks ago.

On this day..

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