I'm allergic to two things: bees and shrimp.
Yesterday, we had a potluck at work. Sitting down with my full plate, I saw something out of the corner of my eye. A bee had made its way indoors and was buzzing my head. Moving slowly, I tried to get out of its way, but it stuck to me like...a bee to honey. (Sorry. Had to do it.)
I decided to ignore it in the hopes that it would go away.
Distracted by my lunch buddy, I started eating. Keeping one eye on the bee, I spooned a big bite of pasta salad in my mouth. It was so delicious, I took a few more bites until only a little bit of cream covered goodness was left on my plate. Scooping the food onto my fork, I did a double take.
Curled up around the pasta was a tiny shrimp.
My heart thudded. Slowly getting up, I spied a co-worker who knew her way around the building and asked if she had any Benedryl. She directed me to the first aid kit where I found...
Children's Chewable Bendedryl.
Doing a little quick math, I popped six, chewing them slowly, already feeling my throat tighten and my tongue swell. I called my doctor.
"You'd better go to the ER to play it safe."
I knew he was right. The last time I had an allergic reaction, it was from cross contamination. This time, I actually ate the shrimp.
Sure I was on death's door, I asked Chris to give me a ride to the hospital. Once there, I discovered something very important:
When one arrives in the ER with potential allergic reactions to food, one is immediately seen.
They gave me a little something that starts with a "T" and had me cool my heels for two hours for observation. I went back to work, groggy from the drugs and with a renewed zeal to be careful of what I eat.
Still...
I can't help but wonder...
Is the Universe trying to kill me?
15 comments:
Seriously, Universe. Take it easy.
I've got to meet her!
(glad you're okay, and thank you for timely twitter updates as to your health!)
You need an Epi-Pen! Glad it turned out okay.
One hyphenated word: Epi-Pen!!!
All three of my closest friends now carry them. Two are allergic to bees. One is allergic to nuts and ONIONS, which are in just about everything.
The one allergic to onions, I almost killed at my bridesmaids luncheon in the East Bay. We pulled over on Treasure Island so she could get sick (she did say it was the most beautiful view to get sick by!) and by the time we got into San Francisco to start my Bachelorette party, she had taken several antihistamines, her lips had swollen up and her throat was closing. She did NOT carry an Epi-Pen at this point. In the City, it would have taken too long to drive to the hospital, so we called 911.
Since then, she carries an Epi-Pen at all times. I know because we've shot her up with it, we've all taken turns in the ambulance and filling out paperwork in the ER for her, and dutifully inspecting all of her food.
Please, please get a prescription for one & carry it. We all like you too much for a worse reaction to happen!! :>
(And yes, that is way more than one hyphenated word. I'm chatty, what can I say?!)
You poor thing! I'm glad the Benadryl was around and that you made it to the ER.
What CDG said!
And GF, PLEASE send me your address. I have something from BlogHer to send you...totally appropriate, btw.
Glad everything ended okay:)
seriously - I was nervous driving you to the hospital... I'm glad everything worked out okay!
So, did you fill the prescription yet?
I did.
You'd never know you were nervous! You were so calm and matter-of-fact while I was thinking, "I'm going to die a ridiculous death."
You and me both.
You got it! And umm...it's not shrimp is it?
Me too.
How scary for your friend!!! I mean, onions? They really are in EVERYTHING.
At least I can usually avoid shrimp.
Unless it's covered in cream sauce and tiny.
But yes. Epi-pen.
Right? The Universe is being especially wicked lately.
Yes, onions are in EVERYTHING!! THat's how we almost accidentally killed her at my bridesmaids luncheon. There I was, thanking them for being there for me & I go and almost kill a life long friend?!!!
But, then, a year later, it was her turn to get married for which I dutifully wore the dress that never gets worn again. And just as she was about to go eat, one of the other gals (there's four of us) jumps at her and yells out that she spies an onion. At her own wedding. At a very swanky hotel. At her own wedding. She promptly asked the dude who was making sure everything was going swell (nope, can't remember said dude's title) to just bring her a grilled cheese. And so that night, thanks to us being on high alert and a grilled cheese she avoided a trip to the ER.
All of this aside, I'm glad you are okay!!! :>
You know, if science creates a bee-shrimp, you are in serious trouble.
Post a Comment