Just wanted to post that yesterday I had my first Pfizer vaccine at my local Hospital. I'm a NHS stroke medical secretary. I have ET Jak2+ and currently on anagrelide and aspirin. My haematologist confirmed that it is quite safe for me to have the vaccine. In fact he said Pfizer is the preferred option with compromised immune systems. I feel OK so far apart from a sore arm which feels bruised inside but looks OK from outside! I'm obviously shielding again and working from home. My next vaccine date is 21st March which is in 10 weeks. I will not return to work until after that vaccine despite what government advise. And I will continue to keep my distance, wear a mask and not socialise or go into shops. I live alone and this has been so hard not seeing family & friends apart from outside walking. I've been living my life since last March as if everyone out there has the virus. This might seem extreme to many but it's my only way of keeping myself safe from severe illness and potential death. None of us know how our bodies would react if infected with this virus. I'm not prepared to take the risk. The one thing I'm holding onto is a family Christmas at the end of this year. I have my books, Netflix and ipad for zooming my beautiful grandchildren and positivity that there is a chink of light at the end of this long dark tunnel. Stay safe and take the vaccine as soon as its offered!
Sue X
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Redsab7
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Very best wishes to you 'dear Pioneer' for us all, you sound so positive and doing all the right things, Fingers crossed and Good Luck .I am sure all us 'others' in our own crazy world salute you.
Out of interest, what do you intend to do with your second head when it grows? (Only joking of course, just making fun of the conspiracy theories out there)
With a second head I'm going to be able to see my 2 grandchildren at the same time! If you don't see update posts from me you know those conspiracy theories are true and I've snuffed it 😂. I'm sure the vaccine is 100% safe for the majority of us. They wouldn't give it to my frontline colleagues in A&E would they..? I'm now allowing myself to start to plan nice things in my head.
Thank you! Government moved goalposts and said second jab would be given in up to 3 months to allow the first jab to be given to more people. Some GP'S have honoured the three week gap if appointments are soon but any vaccines given now will have the longer gap before booster. My 84 year old father has had his second.
Glad you had your vaccine like me. I had it on 30th December but although my appointment for 2nd was for 20th January My GP has cancelled this and haven’t got new date yet. Not too happy as they don’t know if Pfizer jab is effective after the 21 days
It was tested for. I am however pleased that lots more people can be given it.
Fab news Sue , , hope we can all get back to a different normal towards mid year , , I for one will be so glad to do some of things we all take or took for granted. . , And top of that list is to see and hug my Grandkids that live away and I've not seen in the flesh since last January, the youngest might be a year old by the time I get my first cuddle with her. 😢 . . Keep staying safe - Chris x
We've only seen our 15 month old granddaughter twice, as they live 250 miles away from us. At the moment we do see and talk to her "virtually" via a facebook portal, which is brilliant but not the same as being able to hug them.
Ah Lizzie I'm feeling your pain there, you're so right our Portal fills a gap but doesn't come anywhere close to interacting with them, learning their likes dislikes, seeing their unique little mannerisms, their smiles, tears, tantrums and of course holding them tightly coz theyre the most precious being and you can't beat that feeling of contentment for me. Sincerely hope it isn't too much longer before we all get together with our loved ones and catch up on those hugs and cuddles 😃
You too Chris. I feel for you. It's all about the family. Arm really aches today but if that's the only side effect I get from the jab I will take it! My grandaughter is 4 and grandson 20 months. Hope they are young enough to forget this time when I was so distant. Can't wait for cuddles with my little ones. Stay safe 🤗 x
Yes Sue it's a good point about them being too young to recall the time apart but let's hope it's not too much longer. . I feel sorry for the very young children gazing up from their pushchairs at all these 'aliens' with varying forms of face coverings , some are enough to give them nightmares . Hope your arm pain eases soon as , , I did remark to my wife that the needle looked a bit on the thicker gauge size and some givers just ram it home. Ouch !!
Did you ask about any jabs that were likely to be wasted at the end of the day Mary? Also did you broach the subject of the imformation you obtained, I think off Bloodwise, the matter of your Mpn being defined as a rare blood cancer? Something I think your Gp is not completely aware of? I'm glad your mum's had her vaccation, I know that will be a weight off your mind. Stay safe, Tina.xx🤗
Yes Tina, I asked about any potential discarded vaccine and was told they only have the ‘exact amount’!🤔
I have left a letter for my assigned GP (who I’ve never consulted with) with a covering letter and a print out from blood cancer uk, which states all MPNs should be on the Shielding list. Hopefully, I’ll be added to the group 4 list...
I’m slightly concerned by the wording in parts ie; NHS and Government ‘recommendation’.
In my case, my GP had a conversation earlier last year with my haematologist who thought I was vulnerable but not ‘extremely vulnerable’.
My opinion is there is not enough evidence at this stage to suggest we’re NOT extremely vulnerable, so it would make sense for any haematologist to err on the side of caution. I feel as though it’s their Duty of Care until they know for sure.
I had an E-consult with my GP practice, who said Haematology did not consider I was in the vulnerable group a few weeks ago! I have just sent another online consultation citing Blood Cancer UK guidelines. Thank you for this link, I don't expect their decision to change but I can but try.
Hopefully that's all we get! Step nearer to a hug with your mum. X
Pfizer stated on their website the 2nd vaccination should be done 3 weeks after the first, that has now been removed. Also the vaccination needs to be redone in 6 months.
Very pleased you've had your vaccine and no side effects, other than sore arm, which we get with the flu jab. You are very wise to live as though everyone has the virus. At least if you have a slight lapse, you would still be safer than the majority of the public. Keep safe.
Thanks, Redsab, I live central to several small towns, so no sign yet. However, my surgery's website mentions joining up with another smaller town. But it seems to be accelerating, so fingers crossed. It's a long haul anyway. So just sitting tight.
Thankyou so much for your post ...you have helped me so much to make the decision that I keep making( 🙈 changing my mind ..)I really am going for it now ( vaccine ) your words are helpful & wise ...We so need these posts ...so helpful....
Great news, Sue! I’m having mine tomorrow. I’ve been fortunate in that I have been able to see my family a few times. But we usually meet at a park outdoors where I feel it’s safer. And we still sit socially distanced and wear masks. They say you still have to do that even with the vaccine, but I will feel a little bit safer for the time being. Good luck and I hope you get to see your family soon.
GOOD TO HEAR YOU GOT YOUR VACCINE AND DOING WELL WITH THAT.... I understand about getting back to work... I had been working from home from March to September and now only go in twice a week and do what i can from home .... stay on the safety protocols which you are well aware of and be aware of what you touch and you'll be fine having taken the vaccine !!!! This hell will end this year and we just may have that 2021 Christmas with family !!! All the best !!
Working in the hospital I have to be very careful. I love my job and I'm so grateful to have a trust laptop with vpn so I can work from home now. Of course I miss the interactions at work with colleagues and patients but that time will come back soon enough. I must say I am getting through this latest lockdown better than the last. I believe the meds are finally working for me and I'm less fearful of my condition now and I'm positive about the future. Chatting to others on this site is a tonic, I don't feel quite alone anymore. I will be pleased when others here are being vaccinated too.
That's such great news Sue! I don't think your approach sounds extreme - I've pretty much done the same so I know it's tough. Best wishes to you & 🤞🏻for a speedy rollout of the vaccines for us all! 💯🌈
Glad to hear that some of you have the same mindset as me... I think I'm going mad sometimes! I see all those covidiots acting selfishly and irresponsibly and it makes me so frustrated. If they or a family member had an underlying health condition as we have I'm sure they would be taking more care. Keep well & safe orla x
My Husband was at the hospital yesterday for his appointment and we were decuising the jab and I explained my concerns that only being at our GP surgery just 12 months, I didn't feel that we were known to them. My husband consultant typed out a letter to be sent to the surgery to remind them that my husband is clinically vulnerable. At that point I felt as if a ton weight had been removed from my shoulder. I know we still have a little wait, but there's light at the end of the tunnel and then my husband can become a member of the outside world again.
Ah excellent, well done. I’ve got mine on Friday evening (I too work for the NHS in administration, but as it’s child protection, we’re considered a front line service). I’m very excited to be having it because I’ve been soooo worried about covid (as it all star trees at the same time I was diagnosed with ET JAK2 - so it caused me some immense anxiety), but I’m also quite nervous about having it!!
I hope you’re still feeling well and haven’t suffered any ill effects from it xx
So far so good thank you. Second jab in 10 weeks time... My trust health at work team tells me even when I have had the 2 vaccines, I will probably still be shielded as they don't expect infections to be down enough by March for me to return safely, sad times 😩
My companion of twenty years did not have the opportunity of getting the second shot...right after the first shot she went into a massive stroke and is now no longer with us.
There is evidence that when giving the shot better make sure that the shot is going into the muscle and not the blood stream. When injecting they should pull back on syringe and see if
any blood comes up...if so find another spot to inject. Some scientific type believe this may
be what is causing problems with the vaccine when injected directly into the blood stream and not the muscle...good luck.
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