08/09/2026
Normally, I’m the one driving the ambulance for work - but not Monday. On Monday, I was the patient.
At 8:30am, I went into anaphylactic shock. I’ve never experienced anything so life-threatening before, and what made it even more frightening was that we have no idea what triggered it. It scared the absolute s**t out of me and I think Craig too.
It’s a very timely reminder to check your EpiPens if you require them. I hadn’t needed mine for 20 years, and unfortunately, it had expired. We were so lucky that Hillarys Medical Centre was only 1km away. I honestly don’t like to think about what could have happened if it had been any further.
A huge thank you to Craig - thank goodness he was sick and happened to be home, and to the amazing team at Hillarys Medical Centre, as well as Holly and Ash, the paramedics who looked after me.
4 x 500mcg shots of adrenaline
2 antihistamine tablets
2 x intravenous steroids
2-litre IV drip
And today, like nothing happened - thankfully, I’m here, feeling completely normal.
Life can change in a matter of minutes. Check those EpiPens, check your medications, and don’t assume you’ll never need them just because you haven’t for years. I’ve learnt my lesson.