Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
It can happen easier than you ever thought possible.
On a cold winter day in 2007 I was in my taxidermy shop working because it was deer season. I was just chilly enough to start a heater. As soon as I cranked it up, it blew out a plume of black smoke that filled the entire barn. I opened all the doors to let it air out and when I thought it was clear I shut the doors and got back to work. My head was hurting some and I was coughing, but I didn't think anything of it. I mean, it was winter in Oklahoma and the wind can blow in allergies like crazy. My stomach didn't feel good, but I had worked through lunch. I knew I was close to finishing work, so I just wanted to finish so I could get inside, warm up and get something warm to eat and drink.
Next thing I knew someone was shaking me back and forth and I could barely hear them saying "Steph! Wake up!, Wake up! Wake up!".
I woke up, but was so confused. It took me a minute to know where I was and what I was doing. I was trying to figure out why this person was in my shop and why I was so sleepy. They told me I called them and all I said was "I feel like I'm going to pass out". I will forever be grateful to this person for coming over to check on me. Let's just be honest... I wouldn't be here if that person didn't trust their gut and come over.
My body was shaking uncontrollably. My lungs quivered like a moth's flutter was in my chest. My jaw trembled so hard that my teeth couldn't stop chattering. Even my eyes vibrated back and forth, blurring everything around me. I felt like I was going to throw up, but it never happened. I was so disoriented and off balance, and seeing my friend look at me with concern in his eyes scared me. I was so embarrassed that this was happening to me that I denied needing any help or going to a doctor. Still, I couldn't face being alone, and tears started streaming down my face. My friend knew that I was not my normal self, so he kept me company the rest of the day. I tried to pretend like everything was ok, but it was as if I was in a daze the whole time. That night I prayed that I would wake up in the morning because I still felt off. When I did wake up, it felt like I had been hit by a truck - every bone and muscle in my body ached. Everything, I mean everything hurt. My bones, toes, teeth, fingernails, even the hair on my arms hurt. I was incredibly sleepy, so for the next days, I slept it off, or at least, I thought I did.
I didn't want anyone knowing what happened and I didn't want to talk to anyone about. For some reason it embarrassed me so bad. I felt like everyone who knew I passed out would tell me "I should have known better", would make jokes about it or just wouldn't believe me. Days went by, but the experience stayed with me, scarring me in ways that I didn't realize yet. It wasn't until a week later that I noticed every time I came into contact with a strong smell, I would immediately start throwing up. The smell of paint, wood stain, markers, or even coffee brewing would send my stomach into a frenzy. Being an aspiring veterinarian, I had to spend a significant amount of time in animal barns. The mere thought of going into a smelly pig barn was enough to send me into a panic. I threw up more in my college years that a whole sorority combined.
After a month, I still didn't feel like myself and noticed some changes. I was losing hair rapidly, and my eyelashes and eyebrows were thinning. Not only that, but my once beautiful, strong nails were now weak and broke easily. The pain in my muscles and bones was getting worse, which led me to visit my chiropractor. He suggested reducing inflammation and detoxing my liver, so I began taking the pills he recommended for nearly a year. While they alleviated my sensitivity to smells some, I still had migraines that would cause vision loss and worsen my nausea. That's when I researched peppermint oil and its ability to relieve both headaches and nausea. I thoroughly searched for an oil company that wouldn't expose me to harmful chemicals and found one I trusted. The use of peppermint oil was a game-changer making life tolerable. Sometimes it's easier to brush off the issue and claim that everything is okay. My embarrassment drove me to fixate on caring for others, dedicating several years to helping family members with their health. I thought if I was focused on other people, then the focus wouldn't be on me. Out of sight out of mind.
In 2019, after more than a decade had passed, I came home and sat on my bed, feeling exhausted, defeated and a fever coming on. When I let down my hair, a clump fell out, and I was dreading the pain of showering. As I undressed, I discovered a painful rash covering my upper body, arms, and armpits. My body ached with every move, my skin felt like it was on fire, and tears welled up in my eyes. How had it come to this? How had I let my health deteriorate to this point? The pain was unbearable, and I just wanted to crawl into bed and stay there forever. I was only 33 and I felt like I was alive, but not truly living. Despite feeling like I was always there for others, I knew it was up to me to make a change in my life. I knew that I couldn't keep living like this. I had to take control of my health and make a change, But if only I knew where to begin?
I spent countless nights in a rabbit hole of research to find ways to support my loved ones in their health journeys. There were several things I tried with them and they improved. I knew what I needed to do for myself, I needed to make my health a priority and implement my knowledge into my own life. As I did, I started feeling better in so many ways. Although some days are challenging, understanding the harm toxins do and experiencing a positive result from reducing them is beyond worth it. Looking back, I realize that my symptoms were my body crying out for help. Its never too late to start listening to your body.
I often joke that I never made the phone call to my friend the day I passed out, God called him. I don't remember doing it, and most importantly, I NEVER had cell phone service inside that metal shop. I know that it wasn't my time to go, and God was involved the whole time. I believe that God has turned my past into my purpose, and I pray my story helps so many others. I can now proudly tell people that I almost died from Carbon Monoxide poisoning, and I make sure people know the signs and symptoms of deadly everyday toxins in their life, so the same thing doesn’t happen to them.
Copyright Stephanie
