EVACUATION: From Hell to Health

[dana_b]

A friend of mine who lives in Texas took in a lady who lived in South Florida and has been severely ill since the Gulf disaster. She got to the point where she literally thought that she was going to die a couple of weeks ago. She posted her story on Facebook and I got permission from my friend to share it here.

Her name is Allison and this is what she has been through. WARNING: some parts are a bit graphic

EVACUATION: From Hell to Health
.by Allison Helen Hendricks on Sunday, December 5, 2010 at 2:46am.

Two weeks ago I evacuated my home in St. Petersburg, FL due to severe medical problems from chemical exposure. If you do not want to read graphic material, please stop now. I am writing this for all of the Gulf residents for awareness and for everyone to know that there is hope.

BEFORE EVACUATION: "I am from SW Florida and am very sick. I have lost all feeling in my fingers and toes, numbness and tingling in both upper and lower extremities, my upper and lower lip are done, constant vaginal and rectal bleeding, constant headache, constant nausea, severe confusion, unreal disorientation, vomiting blood 2-3 times a day, nose bleeds 2-4 times a day and the loss of my hair. I was lucky this week and did not have to go in for a transfusion. I hope that next week I am lucky again. I am fully aware that I will die if I do not leave. I am evacuating the week of Thanksgiving in hopes that I will get better and healthy again.


I am a strong, smart, independent, and a self sufficient woman that NEVER thought that this could happen to her. I was wrong!! Don't be the next one!!! Please be safe!!!"


2 WEEKS AFTER EVACUATION: All bleeding has stopped. I am no longer confused or disoriented, I haven't vomited since Thanksgiving Day and my color is back. The one thing that remains is all of the numbness and tingling. I went from green skin and blue lips to this. It was the hardest decision I have ever had to make in my life, but I have my health now. I did not realize how sick I was, or how much better I could feel. There is an immense sense of loss and my tears will probably not stop for a very long time, but I have a wonderful family that have taken me in and have nursed me back to health. I no longer have to worry if my surgeon at work will ask me why I am losing my hair. I no longer have to worry about if I will throw up in front of my patients and friends, and not confused as to why I was so sick. I thought it was in my head because I was so far south in Florida, but I am here to tell you that anyone and everyone will get sick. We all have separate and different symptoms, but they are from the same problem


This is a call to all that I know and especially for those of you who that are sick and will not evacuate. In 2 weeks time I have my body back. I may never get the feeling back in my fingers, toes, lips, upper arms or legs, but I will live. It is time for everyone to please take a step back and look at this for what it is. I am not writing this for pity. I am not writing this for fame or for fun. I am writing this in hopes that my friends, family and all residents KNOW that you can feel better!! There is hope out there and there are families that will help you!!! I will be able to start looking for work again in the next week or so, but only 2 weeks ago I would not have lived.


This is my truth and we all will be heard. Although my heart breaks everyday when I think of all of you and my Florida, I know that you can feel better too. Please fight with me for a healthy body and mind that is ALIVE? Please think about your family and friends that are so worried about you and save yourself. I continue to work from afar on this fight and I will NEVER give up. My body would have continued to wither away and die, and I would have given up.


Fight for your right to health from far away with me? Detox from afar? I know it is hard, but I also know that we will prevail and get our health back!!!! It is your right just as much as mine and you have the power to make the best decision for you. I want to thank my friends and family that helped me on the way and especially to the wonderful family that have taken me in. I also want to thank all of my facebook friends for your continued support and willingness to get this truth out. I would have NEVER made it without all of you!!


Be well, my friends. I am with you and I support each and every single one of you.


Always,

Allison

[KT2000]

1. I hate to say this ...but

she now has an illness that does not exist. People injured by over-exposure to toxic chemicals have experiences similar to hers - including Gulf War vets. She will have residual effects from this that will affect her life but she has joined the ranks.
Except for a brave few - doctors will prescribe her antidepressants and tell her it is all in her head. Corporations fearing liability, insurance companies, medical societies and our government are a tough obstacle to proper medical care.