The Day I Almost Became a Murderer
Warning: This post is long. But it is worth one life and a couple McNuggets...
It was just like any other day. Except, this day will now go down in history.
I had just finished my workout at the gym with a friend and we had gone to Saxby's for my favorite smoothie: The Daily Grind. The perfect blend of peanut butter, banana, honey and happiness.
The plan for the day had been: class, gym, smoothie, shower, homework, dinner, sleep.
Got my smoothie. Check. What a surprise - I ran into my friend in line and was just so dang eager and excited about my smoothie and wanted others to feel the same way, so I said, "Oh my god. you have to try this smoothie."
In the span of 10 seconds, I offered, she tried, she smiled, I gasped, she gasped, I say "peanuts" and the whole world comes crumbling down. It all happened so fast.
She is deathly allergic to peanuts. Like real deal see you never bye allergic to peanuts.
She had told me once before, but like I said, it all happened so fast and like I said, it was the perfect blend of peanut butter, banana, honey and happiness.
Before we know it she was a wreck. Nervous, crying - all totally understandable and acceptable for someone who thought this could be the end. She had had a handful of allergy attacks before, the most notorious one being in China. Although now, I think this tops the list.
We take her to the bookstore, buy her a bagel and she calms down. But then she calms right back up and takes her Epipen in the bathroom. I call the health center, hang up on the health center because they couldn't figure out how to spell her last name and who has the patience for that at a time like this, and our other friend proceeds to call 911.
The whole gang showed up. Paramedic, cop in a car, cop on a motorcycle, cop on a bike. And coincidentally the parking enforcements too. But they weren't wanted. They are never wanted.
They take her blood, run some quick tests and determine that she is fine, and that she supposedly never even had a reaction. It must've just been nerves from speaking to her mom over the phone and from getting herself worked up.
I of course, heave a huge sigh of relief. This was not something that I wanted on my conscience nor something that would look good on any job application or resume anywhere.
Fast forward an hour later and the poor thing has hives and is wheezing and coughing. Off to the Health Center we go.
We see the same police and same paramedic walk in and I just think. Well. Shoot.
I go up to the secretary and ask if those men were here for my friend. She goes "No. Please take a seat." Like, oh. Really. We're going to be like that.
Fast forward twenty minutes and me and her roommate are ubering to the hospital behind the ambulance.
Fast forward five minutes after that and cut to me bawling my eyes out in hysterics in the waiting room of the St. Luke's ER, thinking that I would never see her again. Thinking of the potential murder charges I would get. Thinking what kind of future I would have.
In all honesty, I was more worried than she was, than her parents were and than anyone else in that entire hospital.
We bring in snacks from the vending machine, I shed a few more tears and we hang out watching Family Feud. Because what else would we watch?
She was all drugged up on all the drugs. She was feeling fabulous. She looked fabulous in her gown. And not to mention, her doctor was a fabulous looking man.
Dr. Shugars. His name was Dr. Shugars. Come on.
She told her parents not to come, but of course they came, surprising her and us with bags of McDonald's for all.
I hug them both apologizing that I almost killed their daughter and all they could say was, "french fry?"
Are you kidding?! Amazing people they are (Shameless plug @SciasciaConfections)
https://sciasciaconfections.com/
She was eventually discharged and we made it back to campus where everyone was asking why on earth she would eat a peanut, where I then had to jump in every time and say "IT WAS AN ACCIDENT."
Even Bill from the behind the grill in Rathbone.
That night I was so paranoid that she would get sick again.
I went on WebMD - never do that - and I found that a person could potentially get the symptoms back and get another attack up to 4 days later. Of course, I started hysterically crying while trying to do my math homework. I walked to our friends room where she was, because I HAD to see her face and ensure that she was alright.
Did I get any sleep that night? No.
Did I text her every time I heard a siren? Yes. Do I still text her every time I hear a siren? Yes.
Sure, we look back on this now and laugh. Ha! Remember that time you almost died? I loved that. Take me back.
I am now going peanut-free. I figure that is the least I can do.
Spread peanut-free awareness folks. It's important.