xxambellina

I was adopted when I was an infant and it was never disclosed that methemoglobinemia ran in both sides of my biological family. I went a very long time without having my methemoglobin spike high enough to turn me the blue color, and when it did I went to the ER where they put me on oxygen. The problem is, no matter how much oxygen they give me- my red blood cells can't carry it-- so I destat rapidly. The first two times it happened I did not get methelyene blue in time and it resulted in me clinically dying. The first time I was in a coma for 12 days protected with a plastic sheet like the damn outbreak monkey. They finally called the CDC who sent a representative that finally figured out it was methemoglobinemia.

However, anyone can have a one time episode from exposure to certain substances, so they did not realize I had the genetic disorder (as it is extremely rare). The second time I just waited way longer to get to the hospital than I should have. Luckily the doctors were able to bring me back each time.

It's odd because I'm not blue all the time. Normally when my skin is a very blue color it is because the methemoglobin levels in my blood are so high I require hospitalization. When I'm blue and in the hospital I call myself a "sick-lebrity" because all of the hospital staff come to my room to get a peak at me and the doctors and residents all want to write case studies on me.

When I have a blue hue in public people really stare. It's strange because, as I stated before, I'm not always blue-- so I forget I'm blue and I wonder why people are staring..

When your pulse oxygen drops very low your brain doesn't work correctly (I don't remember but friends and family tell me I act like I'm WASTED). When I woke up the morning of the second death (also the second bad reaction I'd ever had) my pulse oxygen was already very low so my judgement was impaired. I remember looking in the mirror and deciding that I was blue because I drank too much cranberry juice the day before and laying back down. I ended up calling a friend (this was like 7am) and they thought I was wasted and since I was acting so funny they came over to check on me and saw the blue and took me to the hospital. It just happened because I waited way to long to get help.

It's actually pretty funny, but no. I am not nearly blue enough to fit in with them- and with my disorder one of the things that I should never ever handle (because it will raise my methemoglobin) is anything with blue, green, or purple dyes that isn't food-grade. Essentially applying blue paint like they wear would kill me without quick treatment.

Thanks! If you are able please give blood and encourage your friends and family to do so as well! The only way I can stay alive is through the kindness of strangers who donate.