An Unexpected Start Of My Adventure

This Nepalese trip was supposed to have happened early this year but because of my facial paralysis (Raymond Hunt syndrome)  it had to be postponed. Hmmm. Somehow Nepal seems to provide an extra challenge for me to overcome even if Everest seems quite enough. A few years ago there was that big devastating earthquake while I was about to leave from London so my trip was postponed for a couple of years, and still was the country was still recovering from this catastrophe when I returned. 

Anyway, to continue my story,  I finally boarded my Qatar flight via Doha to Kathmandu, settled in nicely with my glass of bubbly, then decided to have the Arabic mezzo as a starter. 

Arabic mezzo with baba ganoush (aubergine), hummus (chickpeas) and muhammara (red pepper)

I dipped my bread into the hummus and eggplant, afterwhich I  noticed I was getting a tingling sensation on my tongue and it started to swell.  I then felt my lips to start to swell, as well.  This were familiar symptoms to me, as my daughter has severe food allergies, and I have observed her closely her whole life.  But having no food allergies myself, I still questioned the symptoms.  Then, I started to feel my throat constrict.  At this point alarm bells went through my head and I tried to summon the waitress.  Bear in mind, this was meal service time so the staff were quite busy with the other passengers. 

At this point I started to feel some panic so I shouted for help.  I told my stewardess I needed antihistamines and/or an EpiPen (adrenaline) immediately but she said they would need an ok from the home office. Panic amongst the staff ensued and some members of staff arrived with an oxygen tank and mask which I tried on but quickly realised this wasn’t the answer to the problem. I insisted quite strongly (meaning shouted) I needed the meds.  I started to lose consciousness and the stewardess proceeded to lightly slap my face to keep me awake.  Finally, the  antihistamine tablets arrived and I took one and began to feel some relief.  I was monitored closely at this point, though I was left wondering if the EpiPen would have been the better and more effective solution for what was, in my mind, a medical emergency since it was obviously an anaphylactic event. If I wasn’t familiar with the symptoms, God knows what would have happened. I might have just passed out without anyone noticing then that would’ve been that. I was quite unsettled for the remaining 6 hours of the flight. I tried to amuse myself with YouTube videos.

When I arrived in Doha, paramedics were quickly on the scene taking my vitals and I was rushed to the airport clinic.  In many ways, I was grateful this happened in Qatar since the country is very affluent and has a surplus of medical personnel, medicines and staff.  After some more medication and two hours of observation, I was advised my connecting flight was moved to another one 19 hours later since my condition could re occur.  When you have an anaphylactic episode, it can happen again within 6 to 8 hours.

I proceeded to wait in their  most amazing lounge furnished with impressive art and furnishings.  They also provided me with a hotel room. Qatar airlines were extremely helpful.

At lunchtime, I decided to have some food since by this point I hadn’t eaten anything since the previous day.  I ordered some chicken soup, had two mouthfuls, realised again I couldn’t swallow and my throat and tongue felt sore, so the paramedics were summoned to the lounge. I was wheelchaired to the airport clinic once again,  examined, and an ambulance was called to take me to the hospital.  I was placed in the emergency section and waited for a doctor. The medical staff and hospitals in Qatar are impressive by reputation and by my experience and medical care is free.  Again, I was grateful this happened here. It could’ve been a lot worse .

My symptoms subsided and I was given EpiPens and a few other drugs, which I was familiar with since we have them for our daughter.  Eventually a Qatar representative from the clinic picked me up to deposit me back to the airport with an all clear to board my next flight to Kathmandu, a few hours later. I went back to the lounge for a meal and a much needed glass of wine. I then boarded my connecting flight to Kathmandu. And no, I did not order the Arabic mezzo again!

Nepal has been in the news lately, with the violence accompanying the overthrow of the government, the latest floods from heavy monsoon rains, and the catastrophe of heavy snow in the Tibetan section of Everest. There is also a dengue outbreak and talk about a possibility of an earthquake in the region in the next two days because of activity in the tectonic plates.  A little more excitement!

I am here not to hike but to write a book about Sherpas, which involves a fair bit of hiking since many of them live in the Everest national park, as well as here in Kathmandu.  So now I am armed not only with my computer for my interviews, but a medicine bag, a quick glance for the nearest exit and archways in buildings in case of earthquakes, and big bottle of deet for the dengue carrying mosquitoes. What a beginning! And I’m careful with what I eat, staying with grilled meats annd baked goods to avoid any allergic reactions.  Off to Lukla soon for my hike. Stay tuned!