I had hoped to never have to write about anaphylaxis while away at college, but here I am. Sitting here with my cup of coffee, anaphylaxis is resolved, I have been on Hangouts with DD so I have seen her face, heard her voice, and learned some more details.
My day started very early this morning. I received a message from Verizon that DD had called 911 at 2:13 AM (I have this alert set for all 3 kids). Now, I don’t know why she has called 911. I do know she had softball practice until 10:45 last night and then was heading out to a Halloween party. I sent her a text saying “I know you called 911, I am assuming you are OK unless I hear otherwise. Text me when you can.”
Sometime around 5:45 I get a text from her. She is in the ER, anaphylaxis, but is doing better. I ask if I need to go and she says no. I remind her of the two FAS Moms who are closer if she needs anything. A short time later she is able to have an ER nurse call me with her phone and give me an update.
DD’s story, after the party on the way home they always stop at a place for warm cookies. (Why is it always cookies/brownies and no I don’t think this is a good idea which is why she never told me about it.) DD always tells them about her allergies and they change gloves, etc. and she eats a “safe” cookie.
By the time they walked to the dorm her mouth was itchy, nothing else so she took Benadryl and crawled into bed. (NO!) She said she did not fall asleep. She went to the bathroom alone (NO!) and tried to throw up but could not even though she felt she needed to. She went back to her room, felt worse felt the mucus building and asked her roommate to Auvi Q her while she called 911, then she passed the phone to her roommate. And then she started to throw up, into their trash and recycling bins – she said it’s the first time she has had asthma breathing problems while throwing up during a reaction and it was overwhelming. (Historically asthma has kicked in as other symptoms resolve but her allergist has always warned us.) Ambulance crew arrived during this.
Medic gave her Benadryl and Prednisone in the ambulance and when she arrived at the hospital she got Malox, an IV and a dual Neb treatment. After that they just watched and waited. Hives appeared but only on her arms. I told the ER nurse about her last sesame reaction and it’s scary biphasic part, they were going to keep her for 6 hours, but extended that for a couple more before they released her. She was discharged but with no addition meds (weird) and no instructions (weird). I told her no softball this evening, no way no how and no gym! Wait until she speaks to her allergist.
I insisted she call her allergist’s office and then I called right after to let them know about the lack of follow up instructions. The nurse called me back for more info and then was going to contact the hospital for more info and then they would call DD. The nurse has called once to question DD and told DD she wanted to talk to the allergist again and would call her back.
A few wrong choices and some good choices and a very amazing roommate who stayed calm and supported DD.
And then I spent a good chunk of time on the phone with our med insurance. I asked DH if we had to do anything on this before she left. Nope. I handled the auto insurance, etc.... He just had one piece!!!! And he was wrong!
The guy at the insurance company was very helpful and made the changes retroactive to Sept 1st so this ER visit will be covered. Sigh...... She is now an "out of state covered dependent" and I am one aggravated tired momma!