It Started With Chocolate

No card to share in this post. Today was a super scary day for me. Without having to tell everyone separately what happened, I thought I’d do a blog post.
It started out as a normal work day. Since I just got back from a trip, I had a ton of work to do in the office. I was moving like there was no tomorrow! It was nearly lunch and I was planning on picking something up. Earlier in the day, a co-worker had given me some chocolate that was sitting on my desk. I decided to have a piece so I could hold off on lunch for a little bit. Biggest. Mistake. Ever. In a matter of a minute, my ears were itchy, my throat was starting to close and my tongue was getting bumps on it. Yup, it was a pretty nasty allergic reaction. Somewhere in the chocolate, there was traces of something peanut related and I was in bad shape. I quickly jumped in my car to pick up some Claritin, which usually helps me out. (Now, I normally have some in my purse, but with my allergies flaring up in Colorado, I had used them all.) I got to the mini mart, got my Claritin and quickly popped them. A few minutes later, I knew that something else had to be done. My throat was really starting to itch and I was getting hot. I jumped back in my car and headed to work.
Upon getting back to work, I called my parents and asked what exactly my Epi pen would do. The past few years I have had one in my purse for emergencies, but never knew exactly what it did. My mom talked me through it and I decided to take it. Granted it took a good 5 minutes before I got the courage to stab myself, but I got it done. I instantly felt relief, but I also got a huge dose of tiredness. I was getting pretty light-headed and felt like I was going to vomit. Let me tell you, the next 10 minutes were not fun. I was worried about the things I needed to do, but knew that I couldn’t do everything since I felt so tired and light headed. Thankfully, I got everything that I needed to do and was able to leave work soon after.
I’m so grateful that my bestie was able to pick me up from work and take me home. I was a complete wreck. Thankfully, she knows me better than anyone else. We were able to get me some Benadryl and I was able to sleep everything off. I’m feeling much better now, but 10 hours ago, I honestly thought it might have been my last day.
With all that said, I am so grateful to be alive and have such caring family and friends. Sometimes, sadly, we need these little emergencies to get us in the right mind set. I am so looking forward to tomorrow and living my life to the fullest from this day forward….

28 Comments

  1. Paulina… praise God you’re alive!! seriously so thankful that He protected you today! i’m super blessed to have you as my friend, and i want you to know that i LOVE you!

    xoxo, take it easy, k?
    ginny

  2. oh my goodness, a scary day for you for sure!
    So glad you made it out ok. Was there a co-worker or anyone that was able to help you at work?Did anyone see you in distress?
    I’m afraid to think about the what ifs… You definitely have an angel looking out for you!

    hugs
    juli

  4. Oh Paulina. I am so glad that you are OK and how scary!! Bless your Mom walking your through the epi too. Rest up and feel all better. Hugs ~ Laura

  5. Oh my!! That WAS scary! I’m so glad that you’re ok now. Thank God your mom was able to talk you through using that Epi pen (and that you had the nerve to do it…lol!), and thank God for Besties!! Hope you feel 100% better soon. :o)

  6. Wow!! How scary!! I am so glad that you are still here with us. I hope you feel in tip top condition soon.

    Hugs,
    Amy

  8. So happy to hear that you are ok!! If I was in the same situation I feel confident I would not have been able to poke myself. I am horrible with needles, although if my life was at stake I am not sure how things would have gone.

  9. OMGoodness Paulina!!!! Such a scare!!!!! I’m soo glad that you are okay! Take care of yourself!!!

  10. Oh Paulina I was tearing up just reading this. Thank goodness you are okay! What a HORRIBLE SCRAY experience it must have been for you. I’m glad you had that epi pen available to you…
    Get some more rest and take a break will ya?

  11. Oh my gosh! How horrible!! Thank God you were able to think through your fear and do the right things! Your poor mom must have been freaking out being so far away! :( Take it easy and stick to Ice Breakers for a while ;)

  14. SO scary Paulina. SO glad you had your epi-pen and acted quickly. Take care – hope today goes better. :O

  15. Well, I’m glad you didn’t end up in the hospital! It’s no fun–my husband is allergic to many foods and we’ve spent too many times in the hospital or sleeping off the old epi-pen! Thank goodness you are ok!!

  18. Thank goodness you were ok! That sounds really scary. Glad you are feeling better. :)

  19. Oh my gosh, Paulina, that must have been so scary! Thank goodness you had the presence of mind to take the right course of action! You are so strong and brave! I’m so glad that you are safe!

  21. Oh my goodness. How scary is that! I’m so glad you are ok. I hope the rest of your week goes better then it started!

  22. How scary! So glad you kept calm enough to take the correct course of action and that it was just a trace of peanut and not more. {Hugs}

  23. OMG….glad to hear you are alright! That had to have been sooo scary. I am a nurse and I haven’t ever seen an allergic reaction quite like that.

  25. Oh Paulina! How scary that must have been for you! I am so glad everything is fine! Take it easy chica!

  26. What an awful and terrifying experience! I am happy you are
    alright, Paulina and I really admire your ability to use adversity as a reminder of what is important.

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