RE: The Discovery of Penicillin

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I'm also allergic to penicillin. As far as I know, it has been for my whole life, because when I was 3 or 4 I had a severe reaction to just a few drops (my brother was taking it for something and because I had a cold, my mother had me "lick the spoon" to help me get over it. The doctors sent me home from the hospital to die, telling my parents that there was nothing they could do (back then there wasn't, now there is) and that both they and I would be more comfortable with me at home.

While I was very young, I do remember a few things about that time. Due to the reaction, I couldn't walk or do a lot of things, so my father would carry me to the couch in the living room so I could be around everyone. I also remember my grandma looking at me and starting to cry when my dad pushed her out the door. I learned later that my parents didn't want me to know I was about to die, and her crying would make me question why.

Well, it's obvious I didn't die, because here I am, but I avoid penicillin and related drugs.



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Whoa! That's a crazy story. The whole, "The doctors sent me home from the hospital to die..." threw me for a loop. I wasn't expecting that. Needless to say, I am glad the doctors were wrong. What a story.
!hivebits

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Back then, I had no idea that my parents expected me to die. It wasn't until I was older that they told me the story. That's when I told them about my memory of my grandma crying and that I remembered my dad carrying me everywhere. They explained the why for both of those. I was partially paralyzed during that time. Every day my legs didn't work, some days my arms didn't work, either. I'm glad I don't remember all of that.

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Geez, there is something to be said for not remember early childhood.
!hivebits

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that's amazing that the docs just gave up like that. Some people are born with sensitivities to various things and others develop them over time.

I'm guessing that the rest is what let you survive the reaction?

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They gave up because it was a time when they had nothing to combat it. Yes, I'm that old. Now there are medications to help with those allergies. Back then they had no idea what to do and people died due to a severe allergic reaction. Times have sure changed!

What helped me? I'm not sure. It could have been that I didn't have enough in my system (it was VERY little), or prayer, because I know there was a lot of prayer involved.

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