By JANET HART LEONARD
From the Hart
Sometimes you get a lesson in nature that you could have lived your entire life without needing to know.
This week I got a lesson in wasp stings. It was a painful lesson.
On Sunday, while Chuck was keeping the scoreboard for the Colts, in his 38th year, (he has never missed a home game) I decided to take down the three totes of fall decor from the top of the garage. I had pumpkins and acorns and foliage and florals and candles and well, you get the picture. It was all over our living room.
I decided to take down the summer wreath on the front porch. Out flew two wasps. I had no idea an evil third one was hiding inside. He got me!
Fourth finger on my right hand, just below the nail. I knew I was in trouble. I am allergic to bees.
Immediately, the throbbing pain hit, along with swelling. I grabbed an ice pack.
For three hours I decorated our home by using only my left hand.
And of course, I Googled “wasp stings.”
Wasps can sting more than once. I was lucky (?) only one sting.
I started taking Benadryl. I read that you could soak a cotton ball with apple cider vinegar and apply it to where I was stung. Let’s just say I baptized my hand in vinegar.
Sleeping was a challenge and by morning I knew I was in trouble. I had neglected to take off my mother’s wedding rings that I wear on my right hand,
By 6:30 a.m. I was on the way to the ER. The rings were cutting off the circulation to my finger. I was in pain and I was scared and I was sad. They would have to be cut off.
Having a little saw cutting next to your finger is a bit unnerving and very hot. Thirty minutes later I was back home.
Fast forward two days and my hand looks like a catcher’s mitt. The swelling is now spreading up to my elbow.
I head to my doctor who prescribes steroids and an antibiotic to treat the cellulitis that the sting caused.
Now I am Googling “cellulitis.” Let’s add a bit more fear to my pain.
I am itching from the sting. The steroids won’t allow me to sleep much. They also make me want to eat chocolate chip cookies at 4 a.m.
I am five days out from the sting. I can finally use my right hand. My finger still has battle scars from that wicked wasp. I might smell a little like vinegar.
I may be a bit more skittish of the sight and sound of anything buzzing.
The first thing that Google told me was that while wasp stings may be uncomfortable (?) most people recover quickly and without any complications. Obviously, I failed that criterion.
The last thing Google told me was to try and avoid being stung. Seriously, Google?