Out of the darkness
It’s been such a strange, and at times, very emotionally dark week. Perhaps that’s why my body reacted so violently as it did? A way to show it’s unsavoury disharmony, reminding me that this life as we know it isn’t a dress rehearsal, and in a moment, life could be gone or turned upside down forever.
I ended up in the hospital on Thursday night, stuck with a saline IV and steroidal drip, waiting for the itching to stop. You see, I was stung by a yellow-jacket, as we were travelling in the truck from Brantford to Oakville. When we left the dropzone to pick up our tonneau cover for our Dodge, I heard a buzzing sound, as if coming from the dashboard. Couldn’t find the culprit, so we made our way in the darkness to pick up the cap we’ve been searching a whole year for … Kijiji is awesome! The topper fitted our needs, so after fitting it snuggly on it’s new home, we made our way in to Toronto, helping out some friends who are switching modes and joining the RV lifestyle. And our services were needed, transporting their giant Great Dane {Bender} and baggage to a transitioning point. Such is the beauty for having an enclosed truck bed — perfect luggage storage for us and others :).
We had stopped at a MacDonalds to take an important phone call, and whilst slaDE was on the phone, I decided to stick my crock shoes back on and dash in to use the restrooms. It was at that very moment when foot was inserted in to plastic that the little yellow bugger zapped me on the toe (3 times looking at the puncture marks). Man did that ever hurt. And about 2 minutes after the sting started to subside, my scalp starting itching like crazy and my body went in to an intense heat flash of itchy messiness. I ran in to ask where the closest pharmacy was (the staff looked at me with fear in their eyes — I was a red blotchy mess).
Of course, the Pharmacist was on a long-winded phone call with a client, and patiently I danced silently on the spot waiting for her advice, inaudibly pleading for her to hurry uP. Benadryl it was, 2 capsules per dose, max 8 in 24 hours. Would that be enough to stop the storm ravaging my body? I fervently prayed that the medicine would be an instant relief from the crazy swarming welts driving my nervous system crazy with needlepoint pain and itch. And with positive thoughts I breathed “No worries, this will be under control in no time”. I could beat this! Yet 1/2 hour later, making our way in to the city, my throat started to feel funny, as if a whole chip were lodged deeply within my windpipe and I was trying to swallow it whole. A sign to me that over-the-counter allergy medication alone could not quell the venom writhing through my body. I knew that this was indeed serious. My throat acting up, headache and raspy voice was indeed far more serious.
Funny odd {rather than funny haHa :)} how the GPS was ineffective when needed most! Oakville Hospital must have moved since the last database update on our TomTom. So after flagging a policeman down, we finally found the hospital and I was ushered quite rapidly in to Emergency, hooked up immediately to the IV and dosed with steroids. Relief was slow to come, but I was grateful to be under medical attention, knowing that if anything more serious happened, I was in good hands. Three hours later, I was released. Fingers crossed, all would be okay. 4am arrival at our friend’s locked down apartment building, dozing in the truck, waiting for someone to enter / exit the building with a security pass is what we longed for. Luckily, we didn’t have to wait too long, and a couch awaited us for some much-needed sleep. Unfortunately, I wasn’t told until I refilled my prescription that the steroids given to me in hospital would inhibit sleep. Fabulous! Itchy, dead-tired and in pain. Not the best case scenario, but at least I was alive. Seems like I need an Epi-pen just in case of any possible future incidents. Amazing how something this small can change your life and outlook on what you do and how you do it. Now I understand what my nephew goes through, with his potentially fatal peanut allergy. Life changing indeed. All day today I’ve been researching the possibilities of immunotherapy. An interesting but costly option. At least I have options! And this indeed is a glorious eye-opener!
Sky, what a crazy experience this was for you! I'm so happy to know you're alright now. I'm sending you my warmest wishes and hugs. Take care of you.
So glad you're ok Sky, that's scary, my brother is alergic. No fun getting stung by these mo fo's !! Be
Hope your feeling better girlfriend!! if you need anything let me
Thank you all. Big hugs … 2 weeks after the fact, itchy free (except for a small spot where the YJ stung me three times) and feeling good. ♥ Carry my Epipen with me alway
What happened? Glad to hear you are
People who find themselvs victims of severe allegy reaction syndrome need to wear a medic alert bracelet at all times..Small price to pay for your life someday!Welcome back girl!I ALWAYS plan my life around being near a hospital within 55 minutes…(The Golden Hour)!C
That is so scary! Thank goodness you are ok, I'm sending you warm thoug
Wow, that is scary! Glad it turned out
Sky, what a crazy experience this was for you! I'm so happy to know you're alright now. I'm sending you my warmest wishes and hugs. Take care of you. xoxo
So glad you're ok Sky, that's scary, my brother is alergic. No fun getting stung by these mo fo's !! Be well.
Hope your feeling better girlfriend!! if you need anything let me know!
Thank you all. Big hugs … 2 weeks after the fact, itchy free (except for a small spot where the YJ stung me three times) and feeling good. ♥ Carry my Epipen with me always now.
What happened? Glad to hear you are okay!
Glad you are ok! too
People who find themselvs victims of severe allegy reaction syndrome need to wear a medic alert bracelet at all times..Small price to pay for your life someday!Welcome back girl!I ALWAYS plan my life around being near a hospital within 55 minutes…(The Golden Hour)!Cheers!
That is so scary! Thank goodness you are ok, I'm sending you warm thoughts 🙂
Wow, that is scary! Glad it turned out okay.
I too am allergic to those bad rascals. Haven't had a bite that bad yet. I hope you are feeling much bette
Glad you are ok! too scary.
Glad you're ok! Nearly had a heart attack when I first saw the pic
I too am allergic to those bad rascals. Haven't had a bite that bad yet. I hope you are feeling much better now.
I promise to never ever "bug"
Glad you're ok! Nearly had a heart attack when I first saw the picture!!
Thank God you are alright.Feel better, sending you lots of healing
I promise to never ever "bug" you.
Sky I worked with Dr Serushago at the old 8&8 clinic. The immunotherapy therapy your talking about not everybody can take it.You are given small amounts of bee venom, after treatment I would sudgest still packing the epi-pen you never know how you will react next time, depening on the type of bee and you could become more aceptable to other insect stings, watch out for the black flies and mosquitos that are around ponds and in the tall wet grass.Take care girl
I must admit that this experience has me appreciating my nephew a whole lot more. He's always had to carry an Epi-pen for a fatal allergy to peanuts. And now, when I see these flying missiles around me, I have to really focus on my reactions and just step back and be calm. To be sure, I double check my shoes before putting them on now :). And knowing that I am not alone and have options is a relief as well.What's wild is that the allergy is to all stinging insects in that same family, such as bees, wasp, hornet, yellow-jackets, fire-ants.
Have an epi pen on you at all times!!!! Love you and glad you are
Thank God you are alright.Feel better, sending you lots of healing vibes.
Sky I worked with Dr Serushago at the old 8&8 clinic. The immunotherapy therapy your talking about not everybody can take it.You are given small amounts of bee venom, after treatment I would sudgest still packing the epi-pen you never know how you will react next time, depening on the type of bee and you could become more aceptable to other insect stings, watch out for the black flies and mosquitos that are around ponds and in the tall wet grass.Take care girlfriend
Have an epi pen on you at all times!!!! Love you and glad you are okay!
I must admit that this experience has me appreciating my nephew a whole lot more. He's always had to carry an Epi-pen for a fatal allergy to peanuts. And now, when I see these flying missiles around me, I have to really focus on my reactions and just step back and be calm. To be sure, I double check my shoes before putting them on now :). And knowing that I am not alone and have options is a relief as well.What's wild is that the allergy is to all stinging insects in that same family, such as bees, wasp, hornet, yellow-jackets, fire
You should think about being a writer Sky. My future goal is to author several books, I love writing. You have a gift and you should explore it!! I'm glad you'
Oh Jackie, thank you! I do love writing. I write much better than I talk. Something about the process of where I have time to put into words my thoughts is much better than my instant spew of words. More often than not, I have to retract foot from mouth with my spoken words. Perhaps that's why I keep quiet lots and keep to myself??
I totally understand this, I always communicate better writing, I find its a discovery process for me too, internally, often communicating with my deeper self, but I like fiction as
I must admit that this experience has me appreciating my nephew a whole lot more. He's always had to carry an Epi-pen for a fatal allergy to peanuts. And now, when I see these flying missiles around me, I have to really focus on my reactions and just step back and be calm. To be sure, I double check my shoes before putting them on now :). And knowing that I am not alone and have options is a relief as well.What's wild is that the allergy is to all stinging insects in that same family, such as bees, wasp, hornet, yellow-jackets, fire-ants.
You should think about being a writer Sky. My future goal is to author several books, I love writing. You have a gift and you should explore it!! I'm glad you're ok.
Oh Jackie, thank you! I do love writing. I write much better than I talk. Something about the process of where I have time to put into words my thoughts is much better than my instant spew of words. More often than not, I have to retract foot from mouth with my spoken words. Perhaps that's why I keep quiet lots and keep to myself?? LOL 🙂
I totally understand this, I always communicate better writing, I find its a discovery process for me too, internally, often communicating with my deeper self, but I like fiction as well.