Becoming a research guinea pig

So as a vet student, Im required to be vaccinated against rabies. Rabies virus [hereto refered to as RV] (info courtesy of CDC.gov) infects the central nervous system, causing encephalopathy and ultimately death. Exposure is typically from a bite, but can be passed from saliva into an open wound or from blood to blood contact. Human vaccinations for rabies consist of either a pre- or post exposure protecal. The pre-exposure protecal consists of a series of 3 intramuscular (IM) injections. OUCH! The thought process is for those who are at an increased risk of exposure, (vets, animal control officers, vet technicians, ect.) these vaccinations will hopefully prevent the disease from occuring if indeed we are exposed.
The problem is that the vaccines are not covered by most health insurances (???) and as a lowly, soon to be broke, graduate student I can not afford to shell out $500 per injection for shots. Yep, that is correct! $1500 total for pre-exposure vaccines. Thanks to a shortage of vaccine (made by only one manufacturer) and the limited amounts of persons qualifying to receive the vaccine, the cost remains high. This is the reason, I was never vaccinated for RV as a LVT. Employers wont pay for it and insurance will only pay for post-exposure vaccines. (Okay, side bar, don't you just love the insurance companies.)
Anyway, so UGA sent us this info packet about a CDC study that is requesting vet students volunteers to be subjects to study the IM vaccine as a intradermal (ID) injection. Same vaccine, just different route. And we get the vaccines completey FREE! So, as you might have guessed, I totally jumped at the chance. Ain't research grand! :P****** PETA.

Im Going to Vetschool?

So, seriously, after so many failed attempts, I have to keep telling myself this over and over because it still hasn't sank in. I received a very vague phone call from MM at UGA the other day that sent me into a complete tizzy. I immediately thought the worst and surmised they had found something wrong in my application and were rescinding the offer. I stressed about it all day and then found out it was a simple error. I'd paid my seat deposit and application fees on one check...they needed to be seperate. O jez, is that all. It's a little sad; instead of feeling peacefully overjoyed, I have this impending sense of doom.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;

Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him forever and ever in the next.

Back Story

I've always wanted to be a veterinarian. What made me want to be a vet? I dunno, really. I just always knew thats what I wanted to be. I remember, I used to happen along roadkill in my neighborhood and while my friends would be totally grossed out, I would be looking around for a stick to so I could take a look-see inside the creatures innerds. For personal reasons, I'll choose not to go into here, I made the decision to become a veterinary technician first. I loved being a technician, but quickly realized I would never be satisfied until I was able to be a doctor. So, 6 years, a husband and one kid later, I started applying to veterinary school. I think I actually told someone it was going to be a piece of cake to get accepted with my background. HAH! The joke was so on me. Now, 15 years and 3 kids later (yep hubbie is still here as well) I finally got accepted. It's been a very emotional and financially exhausting trip to get here and Im told its going to be equally emotional and financially draining making through the next 4 years until graduation. But I think its gonna be worth it. At least I hope it is.

[Sorry, this was not my orginal first post. But, the first one was long and personal and I thought that people just happening upon this blog would be lost without some explanation. ]