"I went for my covid 19 second vaccination"

I sat down in the chair and the doctor proceeded to inject my left arm.  -Oh dear-or words to that effect this needle is empty.  So he reached for a second needle and injected my left arm again.  While I was sat in my chair a few moments later a nurse of doctor came across and said to the doctor-I saw you put a used needle back in the tray with the full needles-.  He replied very hesitantly that that was earlier when he did not have a sharps box, so I used a tray.  I did not believe this for one minute as every station had a sharps box and a spare one under the table.  I went home in pieces thinking what has this doctor just given me.  My best friend is currently dying a slow agonising death with only months to live because of liver disease brougt on by hepatitis.  So I fully understand the implications of catching hepatitis or even HIV from a dirty needle. 

  I rang my doctors on the following Monday 2 days after my incident and spoke to the practice manager telling her what had gone on and could I have a blood test to make sure I hadn’t caught anything.  She said they would treat it as a needle stick incident and arrange a blood test and hepatitis vaccine .  I felt a little bit safer knowing things were in place to help protect me.

  The next day a GP from my practice rang me and I was cast into a whole world of hell.  She said they could not do the blood tests and vaccination, I asked her why and she replied. -we can’t do the blood test just like that because it did not happen!”! I said what do you mean it did not happen I was given two needles.  She said she could not trace the person that witnessed the doctor put the dirty needle back in with the ready to use ones.  I said speak to your practice manager she knows who it was.  She said again I could not have a blood test and vaccination as they could not be done for no reason.  She said all I could do was have a meeting with the dr concerned.  I said I don’t want to see him again as he would be the last person on earth I would want to see and talk to.  That’s all we can do she said so I said ok but I am not happy.

  The following day the practice manager rang me to say the insurance company had been in touch and to put my mind at rest they’d would do the blood test and vaccination.

  I went along to my local sexual health clinic and took my place in the waiting room.  My name was called and I went into an exam room with a nurse who’s calming manner instantly put me at ease.  She totally understood my concerns and worries and took time to explain about the whole process.  She then went on to take my initial blood test asking if I also wanted to be checked for HIV.   The thought of George Michael and Freddie Mercury came straight into my head.  What if the person whose needle I got had aids  as well as hepatitis.  A double death sentence.  

She then gave me my initial vaccination for hepatitis and made my follow up monthly appointments for more vaccine and finally a blood test to see if I had contracted hepatitis or HIV. 

 Four weeks later I got summoned to the clinic as my blood test had shown no antibodies to the hepatitis so I would g go ave to have the monthly vaccine shots.  So My life was now in the lap of the gods.  Hoping the vaccine got into my bloodstream and built up antibodies before  anything nasty did.I have another vaccine shot in June then my final blood test to see if I am clear or infected in august.  

I feel like a dirty person and have not kissed or had any sexual relationship with my wife since.  I cannot sleep at night as I lie awake thinking what if!!!!!!I find myself crying when I am alone and get suicidal thoughts.  Why me I find myself saying, what have I done to deserve thiS.  The words -it didn’t happen-reverberate around inside my head.  In dec 2019 I had a right leg below knee amputation and because of covid getting a prosthetic was delayed.   I finally got my leg but rather than being out there practising I find myself in bed trying to catch up on sleep as I can’t sleep at night anymore.  My best friend with 3 or 4 months to live at best is eating away at me to.    Thank you cobridge sexual health clinic for all you have done and for being a good listener.  

  What the outcome will be I do not know