Tiana's First Anaphylactic Reaction

My daughter, Tia, had a near-death experience at the age of 10 months.
It wasn't from suffocation, or falling, or running into a roadway, it
was because she ate a piece of cheese for the first time. The piece she
ate was not bigger than a thumbtack. My wife, Gillian, and I had no idea
that our daughter could lose her life to a piece of cheese, although we
did suspect the potential of an allergy to dairy. Our oldest son had a
slight allergy to dairy; eating it caused a small rash to appear on his
face.

One morning, while I was at work, Gill gave some small pieces of cheese
to Tia for the first time. She greedily shoveled one piece back and
clearly enjoyed the taste. Gill watched her eat this piece successfully
then turned to tend to the laundry in another room. She took one look
back at Tia as she left the kitchen, and noticed a panicked look in
Tia's eyes.

Tia started to cough and choke.

Gill came closer. Tia's lips were swelling noticeably. Being less than a
year old, Tia wasn't able to communicate what she was feeling, but she
was choking and looked very scared. She threw up and her breath became
laboured and raspy.

My wife was not prepared for this. We owned an Epi-Pen, but had no
training on its use. We thought it was for precaution only and never
expected to use it. Gill, understandably in a state of panic, found the
Epi-Pen, uncapped it and tried to hold Tia steady on the kitchen counter
as she flailed in panic, trying to breath.

As Gill readied herself to inject the medicine into Tia's leg, the
Epi-Pen dispensed it's medicine prematurely, all over the kitchen
counter.

Thankfully, Gill had 911 on the phone, and they had dispatched an
Ambulance.

Gill ran out into the street, holding Tia, waiting for the Ambulance.

An ambulance and fire truck arrived together within minutes and a
paramedic immediately and calmly administered an Epi-Pen. Right away,
there was a noticeable improvement in Tia's breathing. Tia was loaded
into the Ambulance and taken to Peace Arch Hospital. Gill followed with
our two boys.

The Emergency staff at the hospital administered additional medication
and monitored Tia closely. Gill phoned me from the hospital and I
immediately made my way to the hospital.

When I arrived, the state of my daughter was shocking. To me, she looked
as if she had been beaten senseless by a gang with bats. Her body was
red and swollen to strange proportions. Her eyes could barely open, her
lips were 3 times their normal size and her tongue was so swollen that
it couldn't fit in her mouth. This was about 45 minutes after she had
first eaten the cheese, and about 30 minutes after being medicated.

I came into the treatment room and held my Tia, allowing Gill to let go
for the first time. My wife found a private spot and sobbed, for the
first time relinquishing control to her emotions.

We were told later that Tia had been within 10 minutes of dying.

When I think back to that day, I am so thankful that my wife was there
to take care of our daughter: Gill saved Tia's life.

There's only a few people who can say that they have saved a life - I
know that I cannot. I truly believe that Gill is one of those that can
say this. Without her actions, noticing the reaction, and calling 911,
Tia would not be with us today. Obviously, we owe the paramedics and
hospital staff many thanks as well.