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Not exactly about food, but way too much about anaphylaxis! (Part III)
When we arrived at the hospital, I was starting to feel a little better. I was able to move a little better, and I could talk now. I was put in room 8. Paramedic Danny (he’s the only one who told me his name) told me that they were going to lift the bed and pull the gurney up beside it, and then he needed me to scoot over to the bed. In my head, I was thinking, “Are you serious?!” He was! I have to say this I gave it my all, but all I could manage was lifting my knee about 3 inches off the gurney. I knew I wasn’t going anywhere without help. So the poor paramedics had to move me from the gurney to the bed. It was only a couple of feet so I don’t think they are too sore today.
Danny left me with the other paramedic to go give info to the desk. I was able to tell the other paramedic guy that I felt like I was medicated. But then I started feeling very strange again, like I was losing control of my body. That’s when the second seizure struck. In an instant, I was surrounded by a crowd of people talking and running and doing who knows what else. I could hear paramedic Danny telling everyone that I was stable in the ambulance that all my vitals were normal. He was asked what he gave me on the way there. He replied that he hadn’t given me anything. I could here the bewilderment in his voice like he was saying, “I have no idea why she’s doing this!”
And once again, I felt so alone. That’s when the paramedic told someone, “She says you’re her doctor.” And then a pretty blond face was calling my name. All I could do was move my eyes to that familiar voice for a few seconds before I lost control completely. It was my doctor; the one who had just closed her practice a few weeks ago. Dr. Stevens. The best doctor I’d ever had.
Looking back now, I see that every time I felt desperately alone, God sent me someone I knew and loved to give me strength, and remind me that I’m never alone.
It felt like an eternity that I lay there seizing uncontrollably as nurses and technicians ran around me. I heard Dr. Stevens say, “Someone get that cart ready.” I found out later that my blood pressure had dropped to a deathly level, though my oxygen levels remained stable. Even now I wonder if the “cart” that Dr. Stevens was referring to was a cart with a defibrillator?
A nurse named Gladys came back with Benadryl and Steroids to inject into my IV. A few seconds later the seizure tapered off and once again I laid still. The fear of death was starting to leave my mind when my legs started shaking uncontrollably. Then the shaking started moving up the rest of my body. The powerful medicine that had been injected into my blood stream had it’s own side dangerous effects. I felt like I was having a horrible nightmare, and I just wanted to wake up.
The nurse was sent away again to get another medicine to counter act the first medicine. I’m not sure what it was, but I think the doctor was kind of leery about giving it to me. In the end, the shaking went away on its own.
I ended up staying in the ER for several more hours. My parents never left my side, and they constantly reassured me that Nathan and Elora were ok. When we left, they made me go home with them, because they didn’t want me to be alone. I guess I can understand why.
Today, I felt like I’ve been hit by a train. I’m taking Benadryl and a lighter steroid for the next few days. I’m in bed as I’m writing this, trying to keep my eyes open. I’m still missing David like crazy and I can’t wait for him to get home on Sunday. I realize more than ever, how very much I need him.
So now I leave you to rest and recuperate from my near-death experience. Those of you who have been praying from me, I thank you with all my heart. Your prayers got me through. And those of you who are continuing to pray for me for a speedy recovery, I doubly thank you and appreciate your prayers more than you know. God bless you all.
Posted by admin on September 20th, 2007 under Life with Beth3 Responses to “Not exactly about food, but way too much about anaphylaxis! (Part III)”
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September 21st, 2007 at 10:24 am
Sounds like you had an anaphylactic or toxic reaction to the insect stings. Did the EMS or the ER give you an epinephrine injection and do you now carry an Epi-pen? It is also very important to determine if you are allergic to insect stings since venom immunotherapy prevents future allergic reactions. I hope you are seeing an allergist.
September 21st, 2007 at 10:33 am
Here is information from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology on Insect Sting allergy:
http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/stinginginsect.stm
September 28th, 2007 at 11:00 am
Wow, I strongly belive in NDE’S. My son had an experience when he was crushed in his accident, both my parents came to him. My mother had one in the early 60-s, so I grew up with it. You are a blessed person, and if you did go, it seems like you were headed for heaven. I would love to hear more about it. You are blessed, and I am happy your children were safe. God Bless you.