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Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007

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Late Night Health Care in Belize aka my Crazy Friday Night Sci Fi Experience

by tacogirl 22/04/2012
written by tacogirl 22/04/2012
red cross belize

Friday night turned into a total real life sci fi movie for me within a matter of minutes. Around 10pm I decided to use some of my Glorious Belize coconut massage oil that I had added some small vanilla pod pieces to scent it. This was not the first time I had used it but this time around I had a severe allergic reaction. My upper body started to tingle and I noticed the veins in my arms were puffing up and going all weird and snakey looking. I kept asking Paul if I was crazy or could he see it too and that I needed to get to a doctor right away.

He called Dr Daniel Gonzalez at Ambergris Hope clinic who said come right over. The cab ride felt like it was taking forever compared to normal. I just breathed deep and focused in remaining as Zen as I could. We finally finally got to Dr Dan’s and he was in the clinic waiting for us. He showed us into a room and proceeded to get details and examined me. He said my vital signs were normal, thankfully. When I showed him my arms and the bizarre movement of my veins, he agreed I was having an allergic reaction to vanilla. Next we moved to a different room and he  gave me a shot cortisone in the butt to reduce the swelling and calm things down. After the shot settled Dr Dan noticed I was a bit more agitated and said I needed to just relax, he gave me a prescription and sent us on our way back home and said everything would be fine.

The next day I was chatting on the coconut phone with Dr Al as he has been checking in on me daily regarding my boosting immune system and taunting me with his visits to Tim Horton’s and what he is ordering for breakfast. I told him what happened and right away he started looking it up. He said that he found 2 studies where fresh Vanilla pod can actually be poisonous to ones system – a freak reaction.

Later that day Dr Al came  back with a new report that I had mild anaphylaxis. He had also  called poison control for further research and that they thought it could be latex allergy.  Ardently its in the plant the pod and the oil leached it out, not exactly common. Its the pods which are black and have the seeds in them during the curing process latex is leached out. Some was absorbed thru the rash I had on my hand  and voila mild anaphylaxis, tingling, dizzy feeling racy.

His next recommendation aside from taking the meds Dr Dan had given me and resting was to keep eating good stuff. Go to Chetumal and then McD’s order the quaretrion con queso, big chocolate shake and large fries every day for a week. Lots of fluids and salt so suggest energy drinks like Gatorade.

Paul’s company through out the whole ordeal priceless.
Cost of Late night Visit to Dr Dan – $50 bzd
Cost of Dr Al’s further research [also priceless] and reassurance as to what really happened – imported wine

Belize medical

Ambergris Hope Clinic

As a follow up to the “Saving Lives in the Caribbean through Preparedness” project presently being implemented by the Belize Red Cross, we have planned a community awareness meeting to be held in San Pedro Town on the 24th April 6:30 PM at the Lion’s Den.

Please pass the word along so we can work together and create an active, prepared Ambergris Caye.

We will have a member and volunteer sign up table at the event, printed information and a donation box.

red cross belize

Saving Lives in the Caribbean through Preparedness project – Belize Red Cross

 

san pedro branch belize red cross

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tacogirl

Laurie Norton grew up dyslexic and was very challenged by the school. She never dreamed she would move to Belize and become a writer. A year after her move to Ambergris Caye, Laurie became an entrepreneur and professional writer starting tacogirl blog in 2007. Since then she has helped many people plan their vacations or move. She also has been published in Great Destinations Belize Guidebook, Moon Guide to Living in Belize, Insight Guides, Island Magazine several times and USA Today. Currently Laurie resides in downtown San Pedro and enjoys being a "city girl" on a tropical island.

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8 comments

Emily 22/04/2012 - 4:17 pm

Wow…glad you are doing better. That must have been really scary!

Reply
tacogirl 23/04/2012 - 7:32 am

Thanks Emily, it was really crazy but between Paul, Dr Dan and Dr Al I was not as scared as I could have been – the 3 boys really helped take the edge off.

Reply
Sharon Hiebing 22/04/2012 - 3:51 pm

Boy, Laurie, I have had the pleasure of Dr. Al’s online internet advice as well, and for conditions completely different than yours, he has prescribed the same eating regimen – fascinating! It must work no matter what illness you have.

Between taking care of you and I, when does Dr.Al have time to practice medicine on his paying patients, as wine alone a man cannot live on (I already owe him at least two bottles).

Seriously, though, I have a latex allergy. I had no idea it could be found in vanilla pods. I will definitely stay away from those. Latex reactions are no fun. Thanks for the heads up, and I hope you’re doing much, much better now.

Sharon Hiebing
Relocate Without Rose-Colored Glasses!

Reply
tacogirl 23/04/2012 - 7:29 am

Sharon let me know when you are ready to split a case ha ha. It was a freak thing and the combo of the oil leaching it out. Definitely be careful though since you have an allergy to it. You can ask Dr Al you show you the research he found on it.

Reply
al salter 22/04/2012 - 2:58 pm

Some clarification required. Chemical should read Chetumal. The purpose of McDonalds was to help you gain weight not correct anaphylaxis. And the allergy to vanilla would be rare given probable prior exposure over 40 years. I mean you had vanilla ice cream during childhood yes? The poison control centre had no idea really and suggested the latex allergy. The earliest paper on the subject actually dated to 1864 in Boston. Plus the wound on your hand facilitated exposure. I don’t know what the moral of the story is but it was a good story. But scary.

Reply
tacogirl 23/04/2012 - 7:27 am

That was an odd early morning spell check typo Dr Al, but funny how Chemical ended up there in regards to Junk food. I did gain 4 pounds if the doctors scale was right, made sure to ask if I could weigh in at the end of the ordeal.

Reply
Beck 22/04/2012 - 10:50 am

Oh no! Buy some Benadryl and keep it on hand. My son went through bouts of full blown anaphylaxis when he was 17 years old where his whole body would break out in external/internal hives and his airways would close. He went through a lot of testing, but allergists never figured out the cause. We kept Benadryl and epi pens on us at all times, and he’d take both while we were rushing him to the emergency room. Benadryl is the first line defense if it’s a mild reaction. Hope you’re back to normal today, and hope it doesn’t happen again!

Reply
tacogirl 23/04/2012 - 7:25 am

How cray about your son, glad he made it through that, can’t imagine full blown, mild was more than enough. I am still feeling it in my system 4 days later. Great Idea Beck, will ad Benadryl to first aid kit.

Reply

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We have been using TacoGirl for what feels like decades when planning our trips to Belize! It has only been a few... years but she is the first place we stop to see what is happening in our favorite vacation spot. She knows all the best spots to get away and do so many fun things - whether it is relaxing or exploring! We are planning our next trip with our twins and she was the first person I reached out to. Knowing we have a resource like her, makes trip planning a breeze!read more
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Found tacogirl while doing some research on an upcoming trip to Belize. This is the place for all the information you... need to plan your vacation. Incredibly helpful and responsive. I sent an email with lots of questions and received a very quick and detailed response that helped us finalize our plans.read more
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We have been following TacoGirl for years now and before booking any trip to San Pedro we check to see what is... currently happening. We love the emails to let us know when a new blog has been posted. Keep up the great work Laurie, we feel like we know you.read more
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I first got my Passport in 2012 and Taco Girl was my first connection back then Great then and Marvelous Now! She's... blossomed and developed into a wonderful contact for any and all information Belize. She goes above & beyond to respond with information that you need whether visiting Belize or relocating! I wasn't able to fund the move then but now that I have much more equity I am doing it.This time she was the 1st person I reached out to! Now I am selling and moving to Belize. She responds immediately! Like I do in my Pet Sitting Business! I was so impressed I followed her all this time. And was not disappointed!Pamela Nixonread more
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Wanted to give a shout-out to tacogirl belize for helping us! She is a plethora of knowledge and was super helpful and... responsive in helping us find longer term stay on the island. Thank you so much for your help!read more
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I've spent the last month exploring Belize. I'm retired & seriously considering moving down to Belize permanently from... the US. I contacted the local San Pedro expert "Taco Girl" to help me get started in finding an apartment to rent. With her help, I've located several places that meet my needs & budget requirements. Thank you Laurie!read more
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It was my first time visiting Belize and San Pedro so naturally I had a ton of questions when it came time to planning... the travel. Taco Gril's blog was an invaluable source of information for all the travel questions in Ambergris Caye. I was able to learn a lot of basic information, as well as many tips and tricks. In addition when I reached out to Taco Girl for advice on finding a local photographer and a restaurant recommendation, she was very quick to respond and gave me many helpful suggestions. She also provided a lot more information from a local's point of view, which was much for valuable than than a typical guidebook. Thanks to her helpful suggestions we were able to celebrate my daughter's birthday at a nice restaurant, and had a great photo family session with a local photographer. I'm very thankful for all her resources and knowledge.read more
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I started coming to San Pedro Belize in 2007 and that is when I met the online presence of Taco Girl. Her blogs on the... island and area are very personable and informative. She gives out promo codes from time to time so watch out for those. You cannot go wrong with someone who was a tourist and now lives here for quality info. Thanks Taco Girl for helping make my trips memorable!read more
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I take the seniors from our academy to Belize every year for their senior trip. One of the first people I contact when... I start planning the trip is Laurie with TacoGirl Belize. She knows the island of San Pedro better than anyone else out there. Trust me, I have looked. If you are looking for the best restaurants, hang outs and shops then Laurie help plan your vacation.read more
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Love Taco Girl Blog @LaurieNorton!I've been reading this blog since I started visiting Ambergris Caye in Belize almost... 10 years ago. It is filled with helpful up-to-date information and recommendations that I wouldn't necessarily find on my own. Laurie Norton's knowledge and extensive network on the island provides her with the ability to share perks/discounts/coupons with her readers, which come in handy year after year. Things on the island change daily - new businesses pop up constantly and LaurieNortonstays on top of these developments. Whenever I plan my return trip to the island, I always check her blog first - and I recommend you do the same. Trip Advisor ain't got nuttin' on Taco Girl!read more
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Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice... to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. There is so much information it's amazing! Thank you Laurie!!!read more
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I am considering a move to Belize and I have serendipitously found tacogirl.....what a treasure! She is full of great... advice, helpful hints.....knows everybody on Ambergris Caye and has a thousand useful recommendations and suggestions. Whether you are planning a vacation or relocating, you should make use of the many services she has to offer…..read more
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I’m so pleased to see tacogirl's blog on Google. Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local... information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. I especially enjoy her guest articles, providing a different perspective of all things San Pedro. Her tipping quide is a classic, and don’t forget her Tropic Air flight code and on-island discounts. You’re not up-to-date with what’s going on in San Pedro if you’re not regularly reading tacogirl's blog.read more
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Belize Blog Est. 2007

belize travel specialist

ABOUT ME

I took the plunge and moved to San Pedro Town on the Island of Ambergris Caye, off the coast of Belize, Central America. Originally from Canada, I made the life-changing move to escape winter for good (in 2006) after one three week vacation. If you have any questions or want Belize help planning and booking, please feel free to contact me.

SPARKING MY DESIRE

A few childhood memories that shaped my desire to move to Belize from a young age. Sailing in the Virgin Islands, seeing a rainbow out the window of an island hopper as we flew from Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico, Christmas in Hawaii and many trips to Florida.

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