N1H1

No judgement okay.

So yesterday afternoon we decided, upon getting some advice from our family doctor, to all get the N1H1 flu Vaccine. This was not a decision that I came to lightly and after trying to weight all the pros and cons the decision was made. So off we went to one of the clinics the city of Ottawa was offering to stand in a line. Well Ashley got to stand, in the cold wet line while Malcolm and I went to McDonalds for dinner.

My day had already been a little off with a dental appointment that I almost missed that and a full day of work, so running after a tired little boy who just wanted to go to playland and having a baby dancing on my bladder (btw Malcolm thought this was hillarious and I was completely nuts when I made this statement in response to his question Why did I have to go pee?) was not my idea of fun. Ashley and I kept in contact via cell phones (I don't think mine has ever been used this much) only to find out around 7:00 that the computer system was down and they would not administer shots until it was back up. WHAT! So some time around 8:00 they pulled the plug and sent the folks waiting in line outside home and we were told to 'try again tomorrow'. No priority list nothing. Ugg.

We had a plan of action for today. Ashley left work at 2:30 to stand in line (the clinic would not open until 5:00pm). I was ready to go to my chiropractor appointment and then pick-up Malcolm and meet Ashley in the line where we would hopefully not have to wait too long and the three of us would receive the vaccine. It was a great plan...until we got a call at 3:30 that Malcolm had a fever, and whoops he's started vomiting.

I raced out of work and headed for home to pick up my car, then headed to the line where I switched spots with Ashley. He picked up Malcolm and I stood in the line for the vaccine. Hopefully we could get two of us done today. At least today they were handing out priority tickets and sending people home with a time to come back. By the time they reached me I was given two tickets for 7:15. Not going to happen with a sick boy at home. I pleaded my case and was told I could be fast tracked. Something went right! Not knowing what that meant I stood in another line for a while and watched as others were moved forward, I managed to find someone in charge and found out that Fast Tracked meant I would move to the front of the line. Feeling very guilty (although not as guilty as when I walked back) I moved forward and bing-bang-boom I am now the recipient of a sore arm.

I returned home where Malcolm was crashed out on the couch looking as white as a ghost. Ashley and I regrouped and he headed out to wait his turn in another line, knowing at least this time he would get the shot.

The plan going forward is Malcolm and Daddy get to spend some quality snuggle time tonight and tomorrow while I'm banished to another area of the house and work. I don't know about the weekend, but I may be looking for a spare bed at my Dr's suggestion.

The most upsetting part about this is Malcolm will miss out on all the Halloween activities at school and I doubt if he will make it out trick-or-treating this year. :(