Monday, February 9, 2009

Anaphylaxis...


This is who I felt like this afternoon. Now, let me start at the beginning. Brandon FINALLY got a day off so, after hitting the gym, we went to Chang's Mongolian Grill for lunch. Then we headed downtown to Powell's Books. After a while my stomach was really hurting and I thought I ate too much. Within minutes the palms of my hands were painfully itchy and turning BRIGHT red. It spread quickly to my face, trunk and arms. I told Brandon we needed to go and by the time we'd walked to the car I was so swollen and red and itchy. Before we reached the freeway my tongue was swelling and I was having a hard time swallowing. I told Brandon he needed to hurry to the hospital. We were exiting the freeway and about a block away when I really started having a hard time breathing and pretty much panicked. For almost 2 months now all I've thought about is seeing and holding my sweet Hadley again. In those scary moments all I could think of was Brandon and the boys. This couldn't be happening to them. It just couldn't. I wasn't afraid for myself, I was afraid for them. So, so afraid. I was able to walk in to the ER and as soon as they saw me and I tried to speak they plopped me in a wheelchair and ran me back to a room. Before I could try to blink the room was full of docs and nurses and Brandon was still at the desk getting me checked in. They were hooking me up trying to get an IV started, and drawing meds up. All I could think of was Brandon and the boys and how I HAD to stay here with them. I couldn't be the cause of more pain for them. We were there for about 2 hours. Thankfully the epinephrine, benadryl and prendisone cocktail worked. The swelling and hives stopped and eventually started receeding. My vitals got back to normal etc. and I was released. I get to carry around an epi kit with me everywhere I go now. I have no idea what I ate that would have caused this. The assumed high rate of cross contamination at a place like Chang's makes it even harder to really pin point. So, I'm following up with my regular doctor tomorrow to see about some testing. Until I figure it out I think I'm going to be a bit paranoid.

I am still pretty puffy and itchy but, overall feeling much better. I'm really tired from all the IV benadryl and a bit anxious from the epi and prendisone. I have a few days of benadryl and prendisone to take then I should be as good as new. Anaphylaxis is SO fun. *oy* By the way, Brandon says I looked more like this than Sloth. =) He's such a sweetie. =)

10 comments:

Huston Family said...

Oh My Gosh Angela How scary! I will pray for you!! My sister does the exact same thing if she eats ANYthing tomato. She just recently developed this allergy. The first time I had to rush her to the ER and carry her blue lifeless body in the doors. I was SO terrified.... I know how you must have felt! Many thougths and prayers my friend!

Santana Jade said...

omg! im so sorry.. i would have been so so so so scared.. im so glad you are feeling better!!

Nissa said...

Oh Angie, I have a thousand thoughts running all at once. now after 20 some years you have allergies? are you seeing the massage therapist? stress manifests. I have this "they poisoned all our food with chemicals and engineering" fear.

I'm rambling.

Anonymous said...

I hope you are feeling better today!

FoxFamilyFive said...

I am feeling a lot better today. I have a naggy headache that I think is from the prednisone. Other than that I'm just about back to normal. =)

Thanks for all the thoughts guys. =)

bella1021 said...

Holy crap-- glad to hear you are feeling better!!!

Anonymous said...

Ugh... I'm glad you are ok... I had the same thing happen when I opened a can of salmon one time and it was really scary. And itchy.

Anonymous said...

Ugh... I'm glad you are ok... I had the same thing happen when I opened a can of salmon one time and it was really scary. And itchy.

Sue said...

Oh Angela, Oh Brandon how scarry. Rest and Relax the body and mind for a few days. What an awful thing to happen; especially with everything else. Thank our Maker you have a special angel on your shoulder who knew exactly what to tell you to do.

Anonymous said...

You're too beautiful to ever look like either one of these guys. Glad you are ok. Love ya!

Sheelie