STORY TIME ... Bee Stings (true story)
My wife was an apiarist / bee keeper for many years - we had about 85 hives, we were familiar with bees
we were always careful around bees, simply not wanting to get stung - no allergies or epi-pens within the family, but we had Benadryl in the cabinet
the only one terrified of bees was our youngest, the boy was gnarly if a bee was near
my wife would suit up like an alien to work with the hives, bees. I could not do that part as my movements are not fluid enough, and that would invite stings. I could however go into the bee yard without concerns, and do the weed-whacking, wearing a t-shirt and shorts - never a problem
of course, over the years, we'd all been stung
8-9 Years ago
- well one Sunday, my 16 year old daughter, was in the house and packing up her stuff to return to Summer Bible Camp where she was a camp counsellor. I was to drive her back to camp, 35 min away, car key in hand.
- she gathered her stuff from the kitchen table, and while doing so got stung on the palm of her hand, by a Honey Bee
- immediately her palm got red, we gave her some Benadryl (x2) to knock it back, and a package to take with her
- we were on our way to the car, to leave
- moments later ... she was feeling oddly, I said that we'd stop by the Hospital if need be, on our way through town (20 min away) to have things checked over, before dropping her off at camp.
- sitting in the car ... within minutes her hand, arm, face, eye, and leg starting swelling up like I'd never seen, I was worried about her throat starting to swell
- NO TIME FOR THE AMBULANCE (we live 20 min from hospital, 25 min from ambulance), we called 911 to let them know that we were coming ... (police could give me a speeding ticket at the hospital if need be)
- I put the Hazard Lights on, hit the gas and drove as safely and quickly as I could, probably pinned at 140 kms / hr (87 mph), the Lord cleared the way, I leaned on the Horn as needed, passed several cars, got through all but one stop light on a green, one light was red, I leaned on the horn, watched traffic, and drove through. Got to the Hospital in seven (7) minutes, by Emergency entrance, I stopped and yelled for a wheelchair as my daughter staggered out of the car, I yelled bee sting at a nurse that met her at the door. I moved the car out of the way of emergency.
- when I got into the admitting area, I did not see my daughter, thought that she was perhaps in the washroom or waiting room
- I asked at the triage station, where she was ... she was already on a bed in emergency, getting blood tested, heart rate checked, intravenous etc. 2 attendants and the Dr checking things over.
- I had to go back to the admitting / triage area to provide health care card, beckground etc. They asked How long ago was the bee sting ... perhaps 10 min I said. They asked where I came from ... home.
- I was told that the reaction was so severe that 5 min longer and she might not have made it in time
- she now carries an epi-pen.
- she is doing great, very athletic, now a married young mother.
God is Good
