Medication

To go over seas the Yellow Fever vaccination is required for most countries, Ghana is one of them. We all have to get the Yellow Fever vaccination and as proof of getting them we get a yellow card with the clinics signature and special stamp for yellow fever. Also for going over seas there are many suggested medicine to take. We are taking Malaria pills, protection from mosquitoes, Promethazine, Aspirin, Tylenol, cold medicine, etc. We have to take the Malaria pills at least a week before we go, the whole time we're there and three weeks after we get back. We're taking mosquito repellent with lots of deet and stuff you put on your clothes to keep the mosquitoes away to prevent Malaria. The Promethazine is an anti-nauseating drug. It's a medicine that you squirt onto your wrist and rub them together. The medicine then seeps into your blood which makes you not feel nauseated. This we will use only if we get motion sickness or have an upset stomach due to local food or water. We don't expect that we will need any of these but are taking them just in case.

The four of us were going to go to the medical center two Friday's ago but it didn't work out. Robert left town, so the three of us still in town, were going to go last Wednesday. We were planing to go at 9 am but then changed it to 9:30 am. Ray got to the clinic before us and called us. That morning daddy and I were running a little late so when Ray called we thought he was just seeing where we were. But he had called to say that for some reason they don't give vaccines on Wednesday. So we turned around and went home. Each time we were going to get the vaccination I tried to relax myself in preparation for the shot only to have to wait till some other day. By this time I was plenty ready to have the vaccination and get it over with. When we finally got it I was glad it was over with. People say that it hurts to get yellow fever vaccination. It did hurt but not as bad as I had expected. It hurt like a strong pinch. For a couple of hours my arm was sore but then it felt mostly fine.

Thursday the three of us went to the clinic and finally got our shot. In addition to the Yellow Fever, Ray had to get his second shot of hep A. While we were in the waiting room we were all a bit nervous and not sure what to talk about. Then Ray said jokingly, "$110 for two shots. I've been to some pretty expensive bars but I've never payed $110 for two shots." *bu-dum-ching* When they called us to get our shots Ray went first. He got a shot in each arm. Each time someone got a shot we all carefully did not look. I got my shot and daddy went last.