I feel like I can post about this now. Thursday, DD had a severe reaction when we were dining out. It was a restaurant that had served her safely many times before. A little ways into the meal DD told me that she was feeling funny – scratching in the back of her throat and she was finding it hard to breath. It was an epi-pen moment.
I asked her if she could walk to the bathroom w/me so that I could administer the epi-pen – she said she could. The manager called 911 while I administered the epinephrine; within 20 seconds of the shot DD told me that her breathing had gotten much, much easier! The Sheriffs department EMT was the first to arrive – he started her IV w/saline solution bag. The ambulance EMTs arrived shortly after, and started Benadryl in her drip. Once we got to the hospital, the emergency room doctor added steroids in her drip. Her blood pressure and all her vitals were good so we were then kept for observation for three hours. I was very impressed w/the EMTs and our emergency room care --- everything was by the book – our discharge instructions from the doctor stressed how severe this episode was and how important it was to keep on the drug regiment prescribed so that a rebound reaction does not occur. She is on Benadryl, Prednisone, and Pepcid.
Because DD is severely allergic to peanuts, treenuts, fish, and shellfish, we will never know what her meal was cross-contaminated with. So what have we learned and what will we be doing differently now? We are now only going to restaurants for special occasions --- we all know that every time you eat out it is a risk/benefit assessment. It is going to more planning on our part ---- but it is doable. We are going to become the master of picnics!
DD was able to attend prom yesterday and we are very thankful that she was well enough to do so. Because of what happened, DD ate before the festivities and just had a soft drink at the restaurant. They joined 3 other couples at the restaurant --- so not eating was no big deal. And they all understood!
So here we are --- adjusting and being very thankful for the Epi-Pen and the emergency care we received.
Topic: DD had a reaction on Thursday (Read 3165 times)
