Having received our first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 on Monday, we have spent these past few days “nursing” our side effects, primarily the fatigue, combined with a dull headache, some congestion and slightly upset stomachs, but delighted, nonetheless, that we were both having an immune response of some kind. Receiving further news via our agent from the Head Physician at Patong Hospital indicated just how fortunate we had been in receiving our vaccinations. Apparently, just before our arrival at the vaccination centre a new box of AstraZeneca had just been opened and, given that the centre was basically deserted at the time, we were the 7th and 8th patients out of a possible 11, who could receive a jab from the open box. In essence, we received our vaccinations so as not to waste the vaccines with the no-shows that had occurred. Additionally we learnt that, had this situation not materialised, Elaine’s appointment would have been rescheduled to sometime in October. We were simply at the right place at the right time!

The overcast and gloomy day, with a rain shower in the morning, lent itself to a lazy day onboard, although a few other yachts had arrived in the anchorage in anticipation of the stronger winds that were forecast. One of those yachts was Il Sogno, so a “covid-safe” visit from Craig was enjoyed on Paw Paw. By the afternoon though, we were both heading to our beds again.

Feeling slightly revitalised after a nap and with plenty of ripe bananas, two delicious bananas loaves were whipped up, followed by a barbecue for dinner.

However, yesterday, Elaine woke up feeling somewhat under the weather. So, while Roy headed ashore to use the wifi at the Port of Call restaurant, Elaine returned to bed. It was the arrival of the stronger winds that got her out of bed, fortunately feeling a lot better, enough to spend the afternoon updating her medical notes, sorting out all her medications to accommodate her new treatment plan, as the existing medications are no longer effective in keeping her conditions under control, and submitting her medical insurance claims, in the hope that the one extremely expensive medication will be covered. Unlikely, but time will tell! With a 28 day supply costing us the equivalent of $1600USD, the sailing kitty will be bankrupt much sooner than we want! In addition, the new medication is causing a logistical issue with availability once we leave Thailand, as we cannot acquire the medication en route, not even in South Africa; a problem for another time!

Today was another lazy day onboard or so we thought; lazy until just before lunch when Elaine started to develop symptoms that ultimately ended up with us rushing back to the Bangkok Hospital Phuket. Being unclear as to whether these were related to her first vaccine jab or the start of her new medication or something else, medical intervention was required nonetheless. Fortunately the hired car was available and within a half an hour we were at the hospital. Further tests revealed an infection unrelated to neither the vaccine nor her medications, but resulted in another course of antibiotics. It just seems never ending at the moment, but hopefully improvements are on the horizon!

Before this round of drama on Paw Paw, and we sincerely hope this is the last, we did, however, both have a relaxing morning and enjoyed a chat to the family in Arizona. Fortunately we called just as the grandsons had climbed into bed after a very busy and exciting first day at school; first grade for William, kindergarten for the twins. Elaine then had a nice chat to Capri who’d had her first day at middle school and her first day back in a classroom since the pandemic hit the US early last year. Receiving the accompanying photographs were definitely a highlight of our day.