A Greencastle native and a 2017 graduate of Wabash College, Brand Selvia is passionate about history, conversation and classic cars. Nicknamed "Brando" by family and friends, Selvia loves chatting over a cup of coffee or glass of bourbon, as well as joyriding in his 1974 Volkswagen Beetle.

Side effects a primer for a busy week

Posted Friday, March 19, 2021, at 4:46 PM

A week ago (March 12), I received my first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the Putnam County Health Department. It has been an interesting week since then.

I was able to schedule it because my Spina bifida is a special consideration under the state's vaccine guidelines. I am at even greater risk because of the Type 1 diabetes.

The staff at the health department were friendly and courteous, and I was in and out in about 30 minutes; and this includes the 15-minute waiting period for if someone might have an immediate reaction. Nothing "weird" happened for the next 24 hours.

Around 3 p.m. Saturday is when it all began to happen in turn. First it was going to the bathroom and getting "cleaned out," as it were. Later I got the chills, and I resolved to curl up in my blankets and just go to bed. The next morning, though, was the worst.

I felt like I had been run over by a truck. My belly hurt, and I had a headache like my sinuses were blocked. After giving up on writing a paper and emailing my professor for an extension, I took a long nap. After that, it was as if none of this had ever happened.

I want to stress that all of this occurred in a 24-hour span, and I have not had anything similar since Sunday. What happened, though, is maybe part of a wider story for me.

From what I've been told, my body went into overdrive either because 1) I already had the antibodies, or 2) I had recently been exposed but didn't show symptoms. Make of this what you will. I am just very thankful that I have not been taken down by COVID.

My professor was generous and gave me this week to finish up the paper. It turned out that I definitely needed the time, considering I finally submitted it Thursday evening.

With the house fire over in Van Bibber Lake and writing another story on Monday, the most recent Community Conversation on Tuesday and the PCPL Board's regular meeting Wednesday night, my school obligations made this week a heck of a lot busier. For good measure, my apartment was briefly without power Thursday as well.

I am glad that this one is over. It has just been one of those weeks for all of us here.

Last weekend's ordeal is certainly not scaring me from getting my second dose three weeks from now. How I'm looking at it, this was short-term pain for long-term gain.