So listen… we all know how DC reacts to vaccines.

He’s gotten better over the years – probably because as an adult, it is not a regular occurrence any more.

 “When he was younger and had to have a vaccination, I had to bring reinforcements to the Doctor’s office. Most of the time we had, his Dad, Doug, me, the assistant and the doctor in the examination room. No one could hold him, no one. It was exhausting and even with all of us trying to hold on to him, the doctor would eventually have to resort to chasing him around the room until she had a semi-good shot at sticking him. I often wondered if he ever actually got everything that was in the needle.“

But since the pandemic and the three vaccines he’s already had, one might think he’d be used to it at this point.

Not the case.

He talked about it all week, mostly by pointing to his arm and saying “shot”.

That really wasn’t bad, really but I could see he was getting more anxious everyday.

The one silver lining for him was that he’d be getting his vaccine at Rite Aid Pharmacy, which is the only place where we can find silver and gold sharpies any time we’re there.

We find them sporadically in other places from time to time, but silver gold and bronze 3 pack sharpies seem to be regular stock there.

So there’s that.

Incentive.

He announced it to anyone who would listen the day before his appointment.

He announced it to me more frequently as his appointment got closer. He also recited his list of post-shot treats that he was looking forward to getting while we were there:

His markers, of course.

Band-aids

Cheese-Its – Spicy

I have to say that for the first time, even though I always fill out my forms on-line … for the VERY FIRST TIME, I did not have to fill them out again and be spoken to as if I am some old woman who has no idea how to “work the internet” and that I must be confused between making my appointment online and filling out the forms and uploading the front and back of my (or DC’s) insurance card.

I could really go on and on about this place but I will spare you.

(This was one of the times I was ready to lose my mind and they wanted me to tell them what the problem was, but no one has that much time. One of these days – when I get my list together, I will.)

Sounds like we need to do a lot better. Can you please DM us with more information so we can help?

— Rite Aid (@riteaid) May 31, 2022

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We sat down and waited for our turn. There was only one other person waiting and he was doing his best to pretend not to notice DC repeating:

“I am very nervous about this.”

“I am brave”

“Just a little pinch”

“Won’t hurt at all”

“I am scared”

“Very nervous about this”

But when he broke in to prayer, the man couldn’t contain himself and burst out laughing along with me.

I really tried not to laugh because I didn’t want DC to think that I wasn’t taking his concerns seriously, but praying was THE LAST THING I expected! We are not religious. He must get that from his grandmother.

The man was called in for his vaccine and came out in less than a minute.

He made sure to come over to DC and tell him that it did not hurt at all.

DC repeated that and seemed to be happy to know that even though I had been telling him the same thing over and over gain – but who am I?

We were next.

DC was anxious but the pharmacist knew that. I suppose he heard him going on and on.

He was so fast with the shot that DC just about missed it even though he was looking right at it.

(The thing about DC is that even though he is terrified, he HAS to watch. Most people turn their heads, but DC has to see).

It was over in 30 seconds and in true DC fashion he left the office as if he were a celebrity responding to his fans.

Waving Wildly and yelling, “Good Bye Sir”

Still waving and yelling to the pharmacy in general – “Good Bye Ladies!”

And off we went to pick up the items on his list.

He is absolutely fine. No fever, no side effects and still making sure anyone he sees, knows that he is brave.