Caches, Hornets & Hives, Oh My!

Pyper and I were geocaching in the Spartanburg area yesterday. We were working on the Hub City Geotrail. You need to complete 20 of 25 caches to claim a geocoin. We actually had already done a couple of these, so we felt we could knock it out, especially since it was a quiet Sunday. It's pretty cool feeling like you have the run of the town. It's also nice when you don't feel like everyone is looking your way.  

Pyper on the trail, always some really cool caches, especially ones that are hidden in plain sight.  The first one we found was on exhibit with the rest of the yard art, Pyper found it right away.  

At the end of the geotrail, we were making a quick grab at a park parking lot. Pyper said she wanted to stay in the truck on this one, I couldn't blame her since the temperature was getting uncomfortably hot outside and the air conditioning was devine.  

The cache I was grabbing was hanging off a fence, not concealed, so the easiest kind of cache out there. Out of the corner of my eye I remember seeing a small black thing flying by just as I was unscrewing the top of the container from its lid which was zip tied to the fence. Without any time to think or act, I got hit in the neck with a force that made me scream; I don't scream easily. The first thing I tried to do was swat it away as I made a run for the truck making sure I was clear not to bring anything or any buddies in with me. Yup, I got stung!

At first the sting was just a little red dot with a welt around it, I was feeling fine other than the hurt of the sting. I immediately put lavender essential oil it, as it was the only thing I had handy. About 30 minutes later, my head started to itch, then my ears.  Steadily the itch started taking over my whole body as redness and hives made themselves known. After about an hour, my body was covered.  

When we got home, I first took a Benedryl, then I tried to sooth the itch away with a shower, which did help.  Next I rubbed some chamomile oil all over, and then just laid very still on Pyper's bed trying to keep the itch at bay while she played. As soon as the antihistamines and chamomile worked it's way into my system, I felt great relief, but I was also feeling very drowsy. 

I decided I needed help. Without hesitation Gramma Jody was on her way.  Somehow I got Pyper to bed 5 minutes before Gramma showed up, and I was able to relax and take another Benedryl knowing that Gramma had my back.  We made a game plan in the case things did happen to get worse. There's a fire station down the street; we were going to hop in the car and ring the door bell, figuring it would be faster than a call, dispatch, and wait. I definitely slept better knowing I had great loving help in the other room.  

Not sure if that was the kind of hornet that got me because it seemed more reddish in color at the time, but it sure left a message on my body. That's my side body reacting to the toxins.  

In case your wondering, Andy was stuck in Boston last night with an almost dead cell phone.  

So next on the list is obtaining an epi pen in case the next sting is worse.