Two years ago, I was given a second chance on life.... Literally.
It was the day before my brother Logan's wedding and I decided it was time to get a haircut. I had taken the day off of work to help with the final preparations and spend as much time with my family as possible. Of course, the first step for me was to have my hair cut and styled by my friend Anya. The morning started out typical and like a good girl I ate a healthy breakfast of Captain Crunch and took my medicine.
I arrived at Anya's salon a little early and so I waited in my newly purchased car until she arrived. It was then that I noticed that my chin felt a little funny and upon looking in the mirror could actually see my pulse in my chin. I thought that was a little odd but wasn't too worried. Anya arrived and proceeded to give my hair a nice little choppity-chop!
As my hair was cut shorter, my face literally began to swell shut. Anya kept asking me if I should go to the pharmacy across the street and buy the medicine... I told her I would wait until my hair was finished. I watched as best as I could through swollen eyes as my hands, eyes, mouth and eventually my tongue began to swell shut. It was then I realized something wasn't right. I told Anya that my tongue was swelling and that I needed to go and get the medication NOW!
We arrived at the pharmacy where there was only one really old pharmacist on a phone call. We waited at the counter so we could ask what was the fastest medication I could take to help the swelling go down... He looked over a couple of times, but the phone call was taking forever!! I remember a couple of other people in the store really looking at me and I couldn't figure out why. All of the sudden a wave of dizziness came over me and I ran to a bench before I passed out. Anya was on the phone with my mother and they agreed to take me to the nearest Instacare which was a couple of miles away.
Anya helped me out to the car as I could barely see through my extremely swollen eyelids. We drove approximately .125 miles and I started to feel sick, Anya pulled over and it was a false alarm. She started to pull onto the road again and I yanked the door open and pretty much fell out as I didn't want to get anything on my new car. I remember laying on the ground and couldn't understand why Anya wouldn't let me just lay there. I also remember getting mad at the people who just passed us by because Anya was crying and I didn't have the strength to tell her it was going to be okay. I will never forget Anya saying, "Taci, I just don't know what to do." It was a very scared and lost voice and I remember crying as I prayed that I would have the strength to show her it was okay and I was fine. Eventually I was able to climb back into the car and we made it to the Instacare.
We walked inside and I marched (well in my head I marched) to the front counter and without looking up the nurse asked why I was there. I politely informed her that I thought I was having an allergic reaction, she looked up and from what I could see her face was priceless! She immediately called the nurse and said to take me in the back and started yelling for the doctor. I went in and sat down, the doctor came in and everyone just started running around and looking at the hives which had apparently traveled all over me. I started feeling sick again and they administered the standard medication. The Doctor was yelling that he needed more medication and needed it yesterday!! It's kinda funny looking back. Such a funny guy with a plaid shirt...
Anya was great through the entire ordeal, she patted my leg and I remember her giving them as much information as she could. My parents showed up and where able to give my medical background to the doctors and I was so grateful to have them there. The ambulance was called as the swelling in my mouth hadn't gone down and off I went. As I was being wheeled out the backdoor that the nurses and doctor all stood to the sides grabbing my hands or rubbing my arm wishing me well. I thought they were overreacting a bit at this point, but I was in and out of consciousness so whatever!
In the ambulance, I remember guys with shaved heads and they kept pumping my chest. I tried to tell them that I was pretty sure my heart was still beating but couldn't speak. I arrived at the hospital and was wheeled right into an operating room where they were going to cut open my throat to let air in. I don't remember anything after the ambulance ride, but I am trying to remember what my mom told me. My father and Andrew gave me a blessing and when the doctor did one last check he found some improvement in my condition. Therefore, no need to have any surgery performed! Thank heavens!!!
I had to stay in the hospital for the few more hours and my father stayed with me the entire time. I awoke to the sounds of crinkling paper and turned to see my father eating gummy bears Lindy brought me because he didn't leave even to grab dinner. The doctor showed up and I realized there really are Dr. McDreamy's in the real world. I was informed by Dr. McDreamy that I shouldn't mess with death. I giggled and agreed. He said it wasn't a joke - that even ten seconds later and I may not have made it. Hmm.... Interesting... I informed him that I had no idea what was going on at the time but would pay attention in the future. I was given the okay to leave and climbed back into my car... Then I saw it! I finally saw my face after some of the swelling had gone down. HOLY CRAP!! I quickly forgave the people in the store who gave me funny looks and thought of the movie Hitch when he had his allergic reaction. It's true your face can really look like it did in that movie! CRAZY!!!
Anya arrived shortly after I came home and was able to finish the haircut! I was so grateful to have Anya there to help me in this emergency! I was also extremely grateful to have my parents there as they normally wouldn't have been. I am grateful to have a father and brother-in-law who are worthy and able to administer in a time of need. I am grateful to my entire extended family who said many prayers and sent emails on my behalf. I was reminded how fragile life can be and I won't take that for granted!
In the end, the moral of the story is: If you see your pulse in your chin, RUN to the nearest hospital and ask for Dr. McDreamy!
