Information Overload...

=)  

Yesterday I got my shots!  On the list was Yellow Fever shot, Polio Booster shot and Typhoid pills...

But first, we had a few things to cover!

Dr. Jones was amazing!  He talked with me about where I was going, what I'll be doing and what I was expecting.  He was very familiar with F.A.M.E and the good works that they do around the world.  He spoke highly of them and said I was in good hands!

I was amazed at a few of the things that he mentioned for safely that I hadn't even thought of.  He did say he was confident that my trip leader would cover all of this, but it's something that is worth hearing twice!

Things like:

• When I'm with the kids and  if I hug them (and he stressed how important it was to the kids to get hugs and hold hands and stuff like that) - to keep my hair pulled back.  One of the facts of poverty - especially extreme poverty like this - is head lice.  
• I'm also to keep hand sanitizer and/or wipes in my pocket at all times.  Scabies is something that is easily preventable.  
• He said to keep a pair of gloves in my pocket as well.  Being a female and a mom, should a child get a scrape, cut or anything like that, my natural instinct will be to help - but I have to put gloves on first.  As much as I want to help, I need to protect myself first.  I will be in an area that is largely affected by AIDS and as much as I want to help, I have to keep myself safe.  
• He said no excessive jewelry or items with me.  We may not think we are rich, but the United States truly is  a rich nation.  I'll be wearing my wedding ring and my cross necklace.  I'll have my camera in my pocket.  He did mention that some of the African people - mostly the older ones, don't like to have their picture taken - very superstitious as if you are taking a part of them away.
• He told me to prepare for this trip like I would an event.  We will be doing an excessive amount of walking and it's a good thought to prepare for it.  Looks like Cocoa will be getting lots of walks!
• He said to always have something on my feet - to never walk barefoot - even in the hotel.  Slippers/sandals or flipflops at all times at the hotel and closed toe - preferably waterproof - shoes outside of the hotel.
• No tap water.  Not a drop.  He said the very first thing I should do when we get into our hotel room is to put a bottle of water in the bathroom sink.  I am not to even rinse my toothbrush in tap water.  Sounds so simple, but I don't think I would have thought of that!
• Speaking of water - no ice whatsoever.  And should I get a bottle of water - even when we are eating outside of the Mathare Valley - I should be the one to break the seal on my water bottle.  It is a common practice to reuse water bottles and fill them with tap water.  Hot drinks (coffee, tea) are ok as well as carbonated drinks.  The carbonic acid kills the bacteria. 
• Everything I eat needs to be hot.  Not lukewarm and certainly not cold - which includes salads.  Even if they rinse them (see point #4 - no tap water.)  No fruit unless I can peel the skin (he said the tropical fruits are wonderful)  - no berries.  
• The best way to prevent diarrhea is to take two chewable Pepto-Bismol tablets before every meal.  He did give me a prescription for Cipro should I have issues. 
• My sunblock should be 50 SPF - he recommended Coppertone Sport Clear.
• My bug repellant should be the deep woods stuff.  He recommended UltraThon Insect Repellant (34% DEET) or Picaridin 20% - which is an alternative to DEET.  Each has it's own pros/cons.  One eats through plastics - including camera's and sunglasses.  I can't remember which is which but I'll probably get the one that doesn't.  
• Sunblock goes on first.  Then your bug repellant.  Who knew?
• He suggested I pre-spray my clothes with Repel Permanone before I go. I cannot take the can with me, but if I spay everything prior to going, I will be good.  It lasts for a few washes and I should spray everything.  If my hotel isn't going to provide air conditioning in my room or a net for my bed, I should buy a net and spray it before I go.  Prevention of malaria is the best way to go.  

Speaking of shots, malaria and all that fun stuff...after an hour consultation it was time for my shots:

Yellow Fever and my Polio Booster in the shots.  The yellow piece of paper is my record for my yellow fever.  Should we have to go into a neighboring country I will need this record to enter.  The nurse suggested that I staple it to my passport.  The Yellow Fever shot is good for 10 years.  That one stung going in and it was a "live" vaccine.  I never really felt the Polio Booster.  

Then she talked about my Typhoid pills.  I can take it either the same time as my Yellow Fever or wait a month and then take it.  She suggested doing it now since it was all fresh in my mind.  

Here is my Typhoid:

Now those are some HORSE PILLS, huh?  =)

Actually since it is a "live" virus as well, it has to stay refrigerated.  Here is the unwrapped package:

I giggled when I saw the information packet that came with it - reminded me of the old science films we watched in school:

and it came with a complete list of Do's and Dont's

Most important was to take it every other day, on an empty stomach (at least two hours after eating or an hour before eating) and keep it refrigerated and take it with a full glass of water.  We want it to dissolve in my small intestines and not my stomach.  She stressed the importance of every other day for 4 days - Don't miss a dose or you may not be protected.  It even came with reminders - one for the fridge and one for the bathroom mirror:

So I got the Yellow Fever shot in my left arm and the Polio shot in my right.  Side effects would be mild flu like symptoms.  But (thank Goodness) - so far so good.  No side effects.  I did have a headache last night and a bit of a stomach ache - but I really think that was due to my nerves. 

He gave me two prescriptions for Malaria.  One is cheap (between $5 or $8 for 45 pills) - I would have to start it right before we go, while we are gone and a month after we get back.  This one has side effects including sensitivity to sun and nausea.  The other one is more expensive ($120) for 20 pills, you take it right before you go, while you are gone and a week after you get back.  And it usually doesn't have any side effects.  They are both equally effective so it is my choice.  I hope to get the second one, but we will check finances when the time gets closer.  

Dr. Jones and I talked about the Meningitis shot as well as the flu shots and neither one is really necessary.  If I were working in a hospital I would get the Meningitis shot and it really isn't flu season anywhere I am going.  Not here and it will be summer in Africa.  He said I could get the flu shot if I want.

One shot left to get, my final Hep A&B one week prior to leaving.  

So now you know more than you ever wanted to know about my shots.  I found it so interesting - from the information he gave me to the detail on the shots.

Again I am amazed that these are the shot that these kids need to survive.  To be a parent and know that there are vaccines available to save the lives of my children and I don't have access to them due to being poor or with a government that doesn't care makes my heart hurt.

We are truly a rich and blessed country.