Laying here on the floor it was easy to release myself into the black abyss. A life defining moment. Do I fall into the deep dark pit or do I rise out of the darkness and return to the light?
I’m not ready to be turned out to pasture to be left to return back to ashes to ashes, dust to dust. I’d rather be sailing on the cool waters and feeling the breeze blowing along my cheek.
What brought me to this life defining moment. Where it felt so easy to slip into the afterlife.
After all, it didn’t seem so bad to pass to the other side. But I wasn’t ready to give up the ghost.
See, I was laying on the closet floor in severe Anaphylactic Shock.
Something I ate has brought me to near death. At first I suspected some sushi I had eaten earlier in the day. But now I’m thinking further. With my wild adventures about a month and half ago through super tall grass and walking out with eight tick bites within a week perhaps a Lone Star Tick was in the mix. With increasing prevalence within the Southeastern U.S. States, Lone Star Ticks are causing Red Meat allergies.
I had eaten red meat three days in a row, and with the weekend prior of poor eating, dehydration and bearing hot humid days in Michigan compromised my immune system. I had steak at 10:00pm and at 2:00 am I woke up hotter then heck. I then began to get a rash on my back so I went and got some Benedryl. Then it began to itch like mad. Maybe I should have taken a shower earlier from the sweaty day. Took a shower and then my feet were burning and itching. Then my hands went to an itchy fire. Went for a second Benedryl. Laying down my tongue began to swell.
Waking up my husband as I knew I was in deep trouble – Call 911 !! Collapsing to the floor as my blood pressure had dropped (found this out later) the EMT’s showed up. Unable to walk as I would pass out each time, I managed to crawl outside where I passed out again and it took four men to place me on the gurney.
Arriving to the hospital they injected Steroids and put me on an antihistamine drip. At first they suspected the Sushi as raw Tuna if not kept at a specific temperature can create a chemical within the fish to become a histamine. But speaking with the grocery store where I purchased it, they are very careful with food safety and no one else reported a problem.
So after much internet research I’m suspecting Alpha Gal Allergy. On Monday I’ll be seeing an Allergist to get a test for the Alpha-Gal allergy. In the meantime – no mammal meat for me. As a matter of fact, no raw fish either. If it comes out positive, than no more beautiful, luscious, delicious, wonderful Rib Eye steaks off of the grill. A true travesty.
What’s amazing about this whole episode this week as even though I was as close to death as I was during the Anaphylactic Shock, two days later I was back in the saddle and rode three horses. So happy it didn’t have a lingering effect. Now I’ll be living life large!
Categories: All about Hoofbeats & Footprints
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 
I am so glad that you’re safe and OK now. Please get tested for Lyme too, the bullseye rash only happens in less then 50% of Lyme cases. Thank you for sharing your story too, I had no real idea what anaphylactic shock symptoms are. You were lucky and meant to still be here
You’re right Ali. I was truly fortunate and thank the stars and heavens for my husband for being there. None of the ticks were on me longer than two hours and what I understand they need to be on more than 24 to transmit Lymes. No lymes symptoms so far.
Got the blood test done on Monday and awaiting results. Thanks sweetie!
Glad to hear you are better.
You are so kind to give me well wishes Victor. Thank you!
OMG! What a scary experience. I’m so grateful you are ok 😂 My bro has episodes like this with some foods. Epi pens work ok for him.
I would starve if I got bit by that tick. .. I mostly eat meat and very few carbs. 😲
That’s interesting – so you eat veggies and meat then? How I wish I could kick the carb habit. I think I’ll be doing that soon to help lose middle-aged weight. Wow, your poor brother. I can certainly sympathize.
I feel that everyone’s system is different. For me, carbs are the enemy. In a perfect world, if I gave up ALL carbs, I would lose weight quickly, even if I was eating high fat foods. Sadly, they call out to me from the pantry. Eeeeat me… eeeeeat me. 🍰
LOL !! A Girl after my own heart !
I’m glad that this story had a happy ending, the world sure would have missed your beautiful photos. 😉
Times like these makes you wonder if what you’re doing in life is truly meaningful. Although I had those thoughts going on after my mom’s passing. Sort of lost with no true purpose. Now I’m just indulging. 🙂
Yikes. Glad to hear that you are doing better. That had to have been a really scarey experience, especially because you are not certain about what caused it. Hopefully the specialists can pin down the cause.
I’m certainly hoping we’ll pin it down too Mike. Visited an allergist yesterday and had blood drawn. It’ll take about a week to get the results. Here’s hoping there is an answer. Thank you so much.
Oh my gosh, how terrifying. I’m so glad your husband was there to help you through this. Glad you are doing better, thinking of you.
You are so kind Barb, and thank you so very much. Indeed, I agree – wouldn’t have made it if I didn’t have hubby. Every once in a while the reality of what happened hits me and I sort of freak out.
Life is precious and can leaves in a second. I’m glad you’re doing better. God bless you!
That is so very true Roziet, and I appreciate your insight. Thank you so much for your well wishes and blessings.
My dear friend, these are the very moments where you know the joy and beauty of having been given life. We take health for granted until we experience the impact of ill-health. I would check for Lyme Disease – it is becoming more and more frequent. And there are different manifestations (according to my neighbours who have it and are expects in this area)
“May you live every day of your life.” Jonathan Swift
Oh Rebecca..don’t know what I would do if I wouldn’t be able to see your smiling face again. For the Lymes, the ticks need to be attached at least 24 hours to transmit the disease. None of my ticks lasted longer than two hours. So far no Lymes symptoms, but I’m keeping alert on it.
Indeed, life is more tenuous now that this has happened. I never worried about being out and alone. Now I think twice about it and wear an emergency ID bracelet. Just got the Epipen and it’ll be close with me at all times.
Hugs,Em
I’m so glad that you are better. We forget that adventures are fraught with danger. I always thought this quote was appropriate when I headed out into the unknown.
“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.” J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
So glad you are well and to know you survived such a dangerous episode. What a scare for you and your husband! It’s funny how it takes something like this to appreciate life to the full sometimes. Glad to know you are a fighter too, but somehow I already knew that.
We are off on our travels tomorrow until the end of August, so I might not be around WP so often. I look forward to catching up with your adventures and photos. Take care. Big hug. 🙂
I’ll miss you Fatima, but know you’ll be having a wonderful holiday. I can’t wait until your return to learn about your adventures. Best of luck to you on your trip.
I am glad you got help in time. My boyfriend is highly allergic to bees and who knows what I keep Benedryl in truck now after he went into shock no where near a phone I just happened to see red lights in the distance and it was emt’s lucky he has me 🙂
Oh wow, that is a terrifying story indeed. The Good Lord was watching over your boyfriend and you that day. Life can be so uncertain. Glad you’re ready just in case.
Yes and again I am so happy you too had a happy ending wish you did not have to test though a friend went into it twice once take out chicken from Chinese place next time chicken she cooked 😦 food is scary he knew he needed epee pen but was STUPID 🙂 good thing I am SMART lol him and I have had 40 ticks Lyme one embedded in us this season already 😦 it is crazy out there.
OMG, Emily. That sounds so dreadful and I am happy to hear that you are back in the saddle. I hope you did not get bitten by ticks. Oh dear me…. I’ll keep you in my prayers. Perpetua.
Oh I did..darned ticks. Serves me right to go bushwacking in tall grass. I know better. Now that I’ve had a few days without red meat I’m not missing it too much. I thought I would. So, if that is what I have, it’s not too bad to live with. Hugs and thank you for your prayers.
Bloody hell Em…..scary! You just look after yourself.
Bloody Hell is right Mark ! I’ve been taking care of others so much the past 7 years that I took my health for granted. Now in doctor boot camp – yuck, hate doctor visits as I’d rather be out playing. Thanks!
Well take care and just do what the Dr tells you…….at least for awhile 😉
LOL ! Poor doc has no chance. 🙂
Such a scary account, Emily. I’m so glad that you’ve since bounced back. I really hope that the Allergist finds the cause, so that it never happens again. Hugs to you. 🙂
I’ll keep everyone posted with what I find out. Got the blood drawn yesterday and it’ll take about a week to get the results. Thanks Sylvia.
That is so scary!!!! I hope the allergist can figure it out.
I do too. Thank you so much for your support.
Now I begin to understand your comment on my blog. I’m so glad you are OK now. You will do what you need to , I have no doubt. A potential diet change is minor by comparison to the alternative. 🙂