Trying to Recover

Today is Tuesday and I'm having a rough start to the week. It started Sunday and oh what a day it was! It was a beautiful day here in PA so my husband and I decided to go to the Scottish/Irish Festival at the nearby park. Every year they have this event and we enjoy going (when the weather is good). We got there and about 15 minutes after we were there..I got stung by a bee (yellow jacket). We were just walking along and it came out of nowhere and stung me on the right arm..yep, the right arm..teh bad arm! Of course it had to be me. I have severe allergies and bee stings are one of them! Once I realized I was stung, I of course started to panic a little. My husband calmed me down pretty well. He's good at that. We stood there for a minute while he was thinking (so was I). He was looking around and thinking about what to do next. After a minute I started feeling a little dizzy and my heart was racing. We headed for a picnic table and sat down. I didn't have an epi pen with me but I remembered I had my inhaler in my purse that was in the car. He was being really calm and I was trying to be. I really didn't want to have a severe reaction but I knew that would be out of control. I was trying to breathe and be calm but I started getting tightness in my chest and not feeling so good. Terry went to go get my inhaler and after he left, a woman sat down next to me and saw that I was having some trouble. I told her what was going on and that my husband went to go get my inhaler from the car. She asked other people at the table for a map so she can find the first aid station. SHe noticed it was nearby and she had a friend with her who ran for help. At this point, I was having trouble breathing and I couldn't stop coughing. I was feeling like I was going to pass out. I couldn't move at that point. My body completely stiffened up. All my muscles locked and i hurt everywhere. I knew something was terribly wrong then because I could barely speak or move. I don't remember much from that point on. Terry was heading back from the car when he saw an ambulance being let through the gates and heading in the direction I was sitting. Guess what his thought was? He hurried over because he knew they were heading for me. He figured I'd be passed out on the ground but I was still sitting. I ended up in an ambulance and taken to the hospital (with lights and sirens). In the ambulance, I received oxygen, epinephren and a nebulizer (actually 2 neb treatments). 3/4 of the way to the hospital, I started to become more aware of what was going on. Til that point I was conscious but incoherent. The medic was telling me where we were and what he was doing. He said I was having a tough time and I heard him talking to the hospital. I then was breaking out in hives all over and my right arm felt completely dead. I couldn't even move it. We got to the hospital and I was asked to sign the paper. That was interesting! She tried to hand me the pen and I couldn't move my fingers or hand. She put the pen in my hand and said "just even make a line if you can". I wanted to cry at that point. My brain knew what to do and I saw the pen and paper but couldn't sign anything. I finally was able to make a line. I got into the ER and they asked me to sign another paper..yea right! Again, another line and it took a while. BY the time I got to the ER, I was stable. The paramedic was awesome. He did a great job and he even put an IV in and I had no clue. I HATE IV'S! i totally have a fear of them. I don't remember him putting one in but I arrived at the hospital with one in. He told me that I got a shot of epinephren also..didn't remember. Terry also told me that I got an injection on the epinephren. Those typically hurt and I don't remember even flinching. I don't remember it. It's very weird to me because Terry told me what all happened and I try to look back and remember but can't. I only remember pieces. It was very scary and to say the least, we missed the festival!

I'm doing ok but having a tough time. This with the RSD is horrible. Yesterday I felt sick most of the day and everytime I moved my right arm, it hurt. I still have itching and burning. My right arm is all flared up now and at times it hurts so bad and locks up on me. My breathing is still off. I am wheezing some and coughing alot. I've had to use my inhaler quite often. I have some chest pain and my whole body hurts now. I'm taking it easy and hopefully this will get better soon. It's another flare that will take some time to calm down. I have a call into my Dr but haven't heard back yet. It's going to be one of those weeks! I'll get through it ..I'm tough! I do not want to go through this ever again though! It was horrible! Terry is truly amazing and he helped me get through it. I don't know what I'd do without him. I feel bad because he puts up with so much. I wish I could stop all of this but I can't. We just stick together and we always get through it..through good times or bad.

I just need to get this curse broken or the black cloud needs to get lost! I've gotta have the worse luck..