On October 9, 2007, my 82-year old parents and I enjoyed a nice dinner at an upscale restaurant in Hickory, North Carolina. I had the Asian Salad and my parents ordered the Chef’s Salad. We drank water and coffee.
Ten hours later, in different cities, my dad and I became violently ill. We didn’t know about each other’s situation. I called my doctor and asked what the symptoms of food-poisoning were and was told to just let it run its course. I also called the National Poison Control Hotline and was told the same thing. No one ever suggested I get to the doctor’s office. And even if they had, getting there would have been impossible. I was still running to the bathroom. So was my dad.
My mom and I were very concerned about him as he has the precursor to leukemia and his immune system is compromised. My mom doesn’t drive and my dad is blind - and I couldn’t get home to help them - so we all just bided our time. Then the next day my mom got sick. I called an ambulance to take her to the hospital. She has a history of heart and intestinal issues and needed immediate attention. The next day, I got home, took my dad to his oncologist who admitted him to the hospital. I went through the Emergency Room to get checked out. No one ever tested me or suggested it.
My mom’s doctor, who was the admitting doctor through the Emergency Room and an orthopedic, told her and me verbally that he knew we all had a foodborne illness and that it wasn’t a bacteria, instead a virus. He said testing was more difficult for that. They couldn’t determine what bug we had eaten. Finally, the state lab suggested all testing stop, as it was getting too costly.
My mom was in the hospital for 6 days and my dad for 4. None of us really got feeling well enough to eat a full meal for about 2 months. Our mementos from the ordeal? Screwed up intestinal systems, a fear of food, and medical bills just under $50,000.
When we got the medical records, we found doctors never put in writing their comments to us regarding foodborne illnesses – and they refused to do so after we went back and asked. If the tests had been conclusive as to what made us sick, we could have sued. The Catawba County Health Department found the restaurant 2 days after we were there to have a filthy kitchen and improper temperate for hot and cold foods – a perfect breeding ground for contamination.
When my parents and I were sick, and the medical community wasn’t answering my questions, I had no one to turn to for advice. I learned about S.T.O.P. through a news story. I found solace in knowing I wasn’t alone in the bitter world of foodborne illnesses. Now, I am an active proponent of helping get the word out that S.T.O.P. offers a very useful tool in giving sick families direction, comfort and a voice that no one else does. Please help me support this very worthy organization. Please give what you can to help me reach my goal. If something doesn’t happen soon, your family could be next.
-Greta