We made it!

Yes, today was the day. After hearing stories of two hour waits and apparent chaos in the organization of the vaccine sites, we weren't sure what to expect.  We took the walker, so that, if there were those long lines with nowhere to sit, we could at least share the walker, while waiting.  We were glad to have it, but for an entirely different reason.  We got into the parking under the convention Centre, and up to the first floor.  It certainly looked chaotic, but we were quickly directed to a line, which moved relatively smoothly. This was a small area with three short lines, and looking around I realized that everyone in line was either handicapped in some way, or was the companion of a handicapped person. Glad we had the walker. I also realized that more able bodied persons were being directed to stairs/escalator to the third floor.  We were directed to a door, where our papers were checked, and our identity verified, after less than 5 minutes in line.  We sat down in long lines of chairs, two by two, all properly socially distanced.  It was a short wait and then into the actual  scrutiny and inspection area, through yet another door.  Here the first fellow was very careful to verify both our identity, and our appointment time. Our papers were marked in red with "On time". Then we were separated, as David's concerns and allergies required more careful scrutiny.  I was quickly shown into a separate room where I was again carefully placed on a chair, side by side with another one, and told to wait.  After about 5 minutes David appeared at the door and we waved and found each other. This waving elicited an immediate response from one of the personnel who thought I needed help, and sis not appear happy when I told her I was just waving at my husband.  But David sat with me, and we were both told to get our arms ready as the vaccine wagon was starting up out line of chairs!  Yes, the vaccine came to use, in a rolling cart and the lady giving the needle on a rolling chair beside it.  Some one else was loading the needles and getting them ready for her, and she just came along, greeted us cheerfully and gave us both the injection.  Another attendant told us that we would have to wait about 30 minutes before leaving, because of David's allergies, and we were again directed to a line of chairs against one of the walls, again two by two. After a minutes or two a paramedic came to find out why we were there ( we weren't the only people sitting against that wall), and to let us know that he/she was there in case he/she was needed.  There was a big video screen of a clock against one wall of the room, so there could be no mis-understanding of the wait time.  Most other people spent a 15 minute wait in the same chairs as they received he vaccine.  As we left, through another door, we were given a special parking ticket that would let us park for free.  All in all it was a very well run system.  This appeared to be partially because of of what they called "navigators".  There were people at every step of the way who directed you to where you needed to be. There was even a lady just outside the exit who quickly directed me to a washroom.  I think that was part of her job, considering this "handicapped" set of room, contained a lot of "women of a certain age".  I had asked the woman who gave us the parking ticket about a washroom and she had said to look for the woman in the red shirt.  Over all, with David's extra wait time, we were in and out in less than an hour.

However, I had a headache start while we were waiting to leave, and quickly started to feel "out of it", while we were driving away.  We had to make a stop at St. Vital Centre, on the way home, and stopped at the Food Court, thinking a drink might help me , as I had purposefully not had anything to drink at all up until then.  (Worried about washroom access) It was pretty obvious after that , that I wasn't doing well, so it was home and a nap, as quickly as possible.  I'm still feeling not quite right, but have been told that this is not uncommon, and usually passes within 24 hours.  So early to bed tonight, and hope that tomorrow is better.