VIT Report

Display of honeybee products at Nick's Garden Center

Have had a set back with my venom immunotherapy. My first maintenance doses triggered a systemic reaction. Large localized swelling and the tiniest, tiniest hint of wheezing, with coughing and a drippy nose. The nurse says I'm not allowed any more venom shots until the doctor has reviewed my incident report.

I was supposed to have turned around and gone back to the office with the first cough "for treatment," whatever that means. But the tickle in my throat was so slight. Besides, I was on a mission to get some special food for my kitty from the vet, so continued on my merry way. Even on the next day, while unhappy that my tricep felt like a water balloon, I just took some Benadryl and Advil. It wasn't until that night, when my elbow started to puff, that I became concerned. If a reaction moves past a joint, that's bad. [I guess I should say really bad, because all the other stuff, as slight as it was, was bad. I learned there's Protracted, Late-Phase and Biphasic Anaphylaxis. Whether elongated, delayed or in two phases, I just have to assume that I'm never quite in the clear.] Of course by the time my elbow started to hurt it was Sunday night, so I just took more Benadryl and Advil. The nurse says I should've gone to Urgent Care.

I wonder what's it's like to have healthcare like they do in Europe. To not have to think, "What's it going to cost me this time?" or "Can I afford another $350 bill?"