Like that classic old Borscht Belt joke lead-in, let me begin by saying, "A cancer survivor walks into a pharmacy . . . " Seriously, I recently went to my local pharmacy to get a flu shot (though not predisposed to proselytizing in previous postings, I still advise that getting a flu shot is worth it). As part of the perfunctory process, I was asked to fill out a form requesting some basic medical history. We've all seen these forms - some a simple one-pager and some the length of Moby Dick.
In past conversations I have characterized myself as the healthiest person to be diagnosed with cancer that you might know. That description would not stand up in a court of law, but it sets the perspective that prior to my revelation, I was the picture of health. And in those days, I would breeze through the New Patient Profile Medical History pages with an endless string of "no" answers to any of the pre-existing conditions questions. Now, some "yeses" have crept into my medical history.
This is obviously no source of embarrassment nor concern, but yet another obscure though personally interesting observation. I wondered if enough of my affirmative responses to questions of any immuno-deficiency diseases in my recent past would concern the pharmacist or derail my intentions, but I reassured him that my oncologist recommended I get the flu shot - so I was good to go (without any potential of litigation or liability toward Walgreen's).
The shot went off without a hitch, I proudly wore my bright red/Big "W" Walgreen's band-aid, and I feel that much more invincible. My white blood cell count continues to grow and my ability to fend off simple infections similarly increases - though I do appreciate when folks Around me with the flu or colds do the "elbow-pit sneeze." And so another aspect of the new normal creeps into my so-called Cancer life - and I need to be all-the-more forthcoming when providing my new medical history in the future. Something to celebrate? (I'm not that over the top), but def a new part of what is becoming the new me.
OBTW: Why are pharmacists allowed to give shots? Though skilled dispensers of pharmaceuticals, they aren't doctors or nurses.
