A Family Tale: I can't take the vaccine...at least for now...

I planned to take the vaccine against Cervical Cancer eversince my OB told me about it 3 years ago after I had my first pap smear exam (which the result was normal, thank goodness!). But since I got pregnant, I couldn't take the vaccine (and it was expensive--- about 4000+ Php x 3 because it's composed of 3 shots. I can't afford it back then). So now that my baby is 9 months old and I'm done breastfeeding her, I realized it's time to consult my OB again and ask for the vaccine, she told me to come back after 10 days because I'm red alert that time (meaning, I had my menstrual period). After 10 days, I didn't get to visit her again because the company where my husband works had a promo for Cervical Cancer vaccine for their employees and dependents, wherein they can take the 1st shot for only 1500 Php. My husband eagerly scheduled me to take the shot, since I'm his dependent. He scheduled it on a Saturday. I was so happy because I could get it at a lower price. I really would like to be protected from the cancer.

So we went at my husband's office this afternoon, about 1:00pm. We brought along our daughter. He, with our daughter, left me in their clinic to talk with the male nurse (he would be the one to inject me). The nurse asked me if I'm allergic to eggs and chicken skin, I said "no". He asked me if I'm allergic to an anti-biotic, I said "yes". I told him also that I'm allergic to the anti-biotic, Amoxicillin. Then he had second thoughts on giving me the vaccine shot and there were no doctors present who could give me precautions or explain to me the reactions I could have when I had the shot. He called their another clinic in another comapny building and the caller also hesitated to go on with the vaccine. So to make sure, I called my OB instead and told her my situation and asked for her comments. She told me that I could take the vaccine but if ever I could have a reaction to it, I could take anti-allergy medications (or the worst scenario woud be I could end up in the hospital!). She had no comments when she learned that the nurse would initiate the shot...because she knows that only doctors have the right to initiate it so that if there are any complications he or she can take full responsibility of it and can give the correct medicine. But she also said that I will not know if I would react to the vaccine if I wouldn't take it.

After the call, I excused myself and searched for my husband and daughter, whe were at his office. I asked my husband about the situation and he told me that if I don't know the complications, I might as well not take the vaccine. We can't risk myself ending up in the hospital bed...that's more expensive than the vaccine itself! And anyway, I also can't risk to take another absence in my work because I do not yet have sick leaves (I'm still in my probationary period because I'm just new the company I'm currently working)). My 2-days absences last week were unpaid, even though I was absent because I was sick.

So my family and I left the company building, quite disappointed because the allergic reactions was not explained to me by my OB before. If we just knew about it before, then either we wouldn't waste time and gasoline to go to my husband's office on a Saturday or at least, we would know what to expect and how I can manage the allergy if ever I would have one.

Anyway, the best I can do is to take pap smears (recommended is yearly) and be monogamous in bed (both my husband and I). I really would like to take the shots because the promo is a good once in a lifetime shot...and being protected from the deadly cancer can save my life, for the benefit of my family, especially our baby and our future children. But probably not today. I hope my doctor would explain to me the reactions of the vaccine in detail when we meet for my pap smear exam.

Well, anyway, we still had a nice Labor Day (May 1 holiday) because my family and I went to Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna to stroll in the Nuvali park (which has lots of shops and a boat ride on the big fish pond). Our baby was not in a good mood, however, because it was soooo hot and she was torn between sleeping and people watching. Though she had a great time watching the fishes in the pond which look like they hadn't eated for 10 years because they were really pushing each other (and even swimming on top of each other) just to get the fish foods! Stampede ito! Then after that, we ate at KFC at South Expressway gas station, then we finally went home at Alabang.