My Concerns About the Swine Flu Vaccine

Normally I would never be concerned about getting any flu vaccine because I very seldom get sick, but because I had open heart surgery - a triple bypass within the last 10 months, I contemplate every day if I should get the swine flu vaccine. I even asked my friends their opinions on Facebook. Most of them suggested I ask my cardiologist about it and except for an emergency room nurse most of them aren't getting it. It's hard to not be faced with trying to make a decision about it every day, when all the News shows talk about it constantly, it's always in the newspapers lately and as I hear the death toll from it increase every day, I hate to admit it, but it's kind of scary. It certainly makes me worry. It's true they say ignorance is bliss. Before my emergency triple bypass I didn't even know I had clogged arteries and I thought I was in good health - not worrying about a thing. Now that I have had the surgery, I worry about every little thing. It's hard to have heart problems because how my heart is doing isn't visible, so the unknown keeps me a bit scared. Years ago I got a regular flu vaccine and I became sick from it, so I never got another vaccine again. The side effects is the only factor that has me against getting the swine flu vaccine. I recently saw on a television show a woman who got a flu vaccine - not sure if it was for swine flu, though - and it effected her nerves and muscles. Now the only way she walks normal is when she walks backwards, otherwise she has constant spasms as she walks. She walks like she has Multiple Sclerosis (MS). It also effected her speech. It's very scary to see that a flu shot can change your life in a bad way forever. I guess if I could be guaranteed no negative side effects I'd get the swine flu vaccine as soon as it would be available to me, but I know that's not possible. So... I'm buying time. I started taking Vitamin C every day to try to keep myself healthy and I take an aspirin, or another over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain medicine, if I feel a sore throat coming on. I drink a huge cup of tea every night to warm my insides when I feel chilled and I put the heat on if it's cold in the house. I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) so I have the correct way to wash my hands and to constantly wash them when I'm exposed to germs covered. I also try to keep away from places where sick germs are, like doctors' offices. I had called my doctor's office last week to arrange to pick up a copy of my latest blood test results, but when I was caller number 13 on hold, I figured that can't be a good sign during flu season, so I hung up. The last place I need to be right now is in a doctor's office among sick people. Even touching their front door handle can make anyone sick, so I'll wait a bit to go pick up those blood test results. Next month I have a scheduled appointment with my cardiologist and I will ask her opinion about whether she thinks I should get the swine flu vaccine. I know even if she says yes, I'll still contemplate whether I want to get it or not. I hope by the time I'm done "buying time" the scare will subside and I hope to stay well.