I am a 37-year-old mother of two girls, from Norris Beach in Alberta, Canada. Before getting the vaccine I had just finished a two-year contract in Yemen as rotor casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) for operations in and around the area. I was a critical care paramedic and medical lead for our team. I was extremely outgoing, active, healthy, very fit (training for physique competitions) and attending medical school at night. I spent all of my time off with my two beautiful girls, running around, playing, and having crazy sleepover parties with their friends. My girls were proud of me, they were excited that I was going to become a pediatrician.
There were several reasons I got vaccinated. First and foremost was to protect my children as much as I could. The second was that, as a healthcare professional, I am responsible to both my patients and to myself to be as safe as possible.
On May 14th, 2021 I had the Moderna vaccine. I had an anaphylactic reaction within 10 minutes of administration. Full-blown hives; hoarse voice; cough; stridor; with tongue, face, and neck swelling.
I had a series of biphasic reactions followed by a dramatic increase in random things that I am now “allergic to”. To this day, I am suffering from daily anaphylactic, sometimes mast-cell attacks that usually require epinephrine.
The initial reactions were nowhere near in comparison to what happens now – I am just used to it.
I have to live in a bubble. I am allergic to almost everything. My weight can fluctuate a lot in a day due to swelling and bloating. I have to wear specialized masks, use hospital-grade air purifiers in order to breathe. I haven’t been able to see or hold my children in over 9 months. My partner and I cannot have a relationship. We have lost everything: our children; our careers; our home; and now we are even about to lose our vehicle. We have spent everything we have trying to get this controlled.
I am immunocompromised but seen as an anti-vaxxer even though I’m not one. I have been unable to get financial support, medical support, home care, etc. I have exercise-induced anaphylaxis. I cannot paint – I am allergic to the brushes and the paints themselves. I have a severely restricted diet, but because I have difficulty swallowing I have to puree what I eat. Even then, I still choke on it.
Close your eyes for a second and imagine what it is like to have your neck, face, and tongue swell daily to the point of choking. I am in constant pain.
Because of the Gl issues, I cannot absorb my medication which leads to more severe reactions. In regards to medical care as a Canadian, I am seriously disgusted at what has happened. I was only treated appropriately when the physician knew of my healthcare background – and that was only one physician. I was tossed to psychiatry numerous times, only to be cleared and have the doctors told that this is definitely not in my head.
We were pushed to get medical help from a private center. Over $100,000 later and we are still no farther forward. To top that one off, the other physicians will not accept those lab results and tests. I have a test from Germany that SHOWS I am allergic to the antibody, not the excipients.
Yet, no one will listen.
I finally went back into the ER after a horrible experience in Ontario under the care of MTCU, who managed to not only make it worse, but also caused loss of vision/hearing/memory after withdrawing all of my medication for 24 hours without consent.
At this ER, the doctor understood. EMS was wonderful taking me there. Now, over a year later, he is trying to kickstart Internal Medicine to quarterback Haematology and Immunology. The sad part is the treatment was known right from the beginning. They could have treated me with plasmapheresis
and left no ongoing damage. Now, I am begging them for plasmapheresis and Imatinib.
My reaction was apparently reported on the provincial system, but it was never reported nationally. I was told to go to a clinic for future vaccines, and that they would supervise as the pharmacist administered two small doses of the vaccine. I was still having ongoing anaphylaxis when I was advised this – not much has changed. I’ve just been upgraded to 15 medications rather than 10 and an additional 12 supplements. The medications and supplements barely keep it controlled. I am getting worse.
Because I cannot absorb the medication, it provides minimal relief. Ivermectin helped when we were still able to get it, further proving that it was indeed the protein on the antibody. Since we cannot get Ivermectin anymore, the control we once had is gone.
Everyone should do what is right for them. Getting the vaccine was what I thought was right for me. I am angry and will not be able to have any form of peace until this is finally treated for what it is, not for the symptoms it causes. As a very wise doctor said (and this is where our mistake must have happened) “If you do everything to help yourself, we will not help you. But, if you do nothing to help yourself, we will do everything we can to save you.”