I have a rare condition called Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. I am very allergic to fragrances, dust, mold, cats, and quite a few other things. I've been dealing with this for about 2 ½ years now, and Memorial Pembroke is the only hospital I go to because of the exceptional care I get.
Back in August of last year, I was admitted to the hospital and I just got up on the floor right before shift change. Analisa Gonzalez was still there so she came in with the two nurses at shift change to introduce them to me because they were both new to me. So, I gave them the same spiel I give to all nurses when they first have me. I tell them if I don't freak out, you don't freak out. It will look really bad. I start wheezing and my eyes will swell up and my throat swells, then my lungs. I told them as long as they get the Benadryl in my IV it's like magic and within 30 seconds everything starts opening back up. By 2 minutes all the wheezing and swelling is gone.
Well, on this evening I had just gotten up there for maybe 10 minutes. I have a special mask that I wear with an activated charcoal HEPA filter that keeps me from inhaling 99% of odors. However, if something is strong or it touches my eyes, I will go into anaphylactic shock and within 3 minutes my lungs, throat, and eyes swell.
After I explained this to the nurses, they gave reports to each other and left the door open when they left, and the cleaning lady was cleaning right outside the door. Right as Analisa opened the door there was a smell from the cleaning; Analisa shut the door immediately and told them to call rescue. The Benadryl wasn't up on the floor yet, so she walked over and got a case of epinephrine and gave me the shot right away. Within 2 minutes my lungs went completely shut. That is the one and only time I started to freak out when I realized I couldn't get any air.