A few days ago I woke up to find a large burst blister on my shoulder. Honestly I didn't think much of it - I am klutz, it wasn't until the blister started to look like a used ashtray that I was concerned. I went to the North Raleigh Walk in Clinic and was immediately seen. It turns out I was bitten by a poisonous spider a small brown spider with pastel blue markings had done all this damage.
North Carolina is also the home of the Brown Recluse Spider & Black Widows. The MO of a Brown Recluse is to numb the victim first and then bite -this explains why I don't remember being bit. He showed me pictures of wounds & spiders and ultimately sent me to my dermatologist. There is no avoiding what is becoming a poker chip sized scar.
Very well bandaged and worried about the impending scar, I went to a friend's restaurant. I needed some relaxation. It's a decently busy neighborhood restaurant with tons of locals. Waiters are taking orders and in the distance you can hear the shake of martini's being made. A younger couple, I recognize but don't know by name were relaxing at corner table. When the man just slumped over, it seemed like time started moving very slowly. A man yelled Call 911. I found myself talking to a 911 dispatcher as other patrons tried to wake up and evaluate the passed out man. This man, 5 minutes earlier was laughing with his wife and listening to the waiter recite specials-- now he had not color in his face. Quickly, First Responders arrived -a fire truck and ambulance. The man was talking and walking but still very pale ultimately taken to Wake Med North.
Bad day - Yeah Right. My spider bite is nothing compared to this man's evening or the obvious stress & worry his wife must now be enduring. The next time you think you are having a bad day - relax and remember it could be worse. If you see an EMT or other emergency professionals STOP shake their hand and says "THANKS". Recognize them for jumping in no questions asked through to rescue us from our really bad days.
Jennifer Marks
