In Case of Emergency

When seeing kids with possible food allergies, I always ask the family what their worst reactions are. Sometimes they aren't even allergies, e.g., a child vomits whenever he is force-fed mushrooms because he hates mushrooms. Others have relatively mild reactions, such as itching after eating eggs or chocolate. The most worrisome cases are those with severe reactions that include large hives on the entire body, trouble breathing, dizziness, fainting, etc., as these reactions can be life-threatening. For those who are likely to develop serious allergic reactions, I always make the point of writing them prescriptions for "EpiPen" or "EpiPen Jr", which are emergency epinephrine injections that patients carry on themselves and use in case they have serious allergic reactions. The epinephrine injection is intended to reduce the symptoms just enough so that emergency personnel can arrive in time to transport the patient to the hospital, as only a few minutes can be the difference between life and death.

Unfortunately, prescriptions for these epinephrine injections do not always get filled, as the families either forget to pick them up, or feel that they aren't necessary. More often, the prescription is filled, but the injection is left at home while the child is away at school or at a friend's birthday party. It's hard to give onself a life-saving injection when the medication is in a drawer several miles away. It is the rare exception that a child with severe allergies always has the medication on hand, and knows (or is accompanied by some who does) how to give the injection.

Emergency medications and medical supplies are only of benefit when they are within reach of the person at all times. These include epinephrine injections for allergies, as well as emergency doses of glucose for diabetics on insulin, diazepam to control prolonged seizure attacks, nitroglycerin for those with heart disease, and replacement tracheostomy and gastrostomy tubes for those who depend on special tubes for breathing and nutrition. When I see patients who are supposed to carry these medications or supplies, and they do not have them on hand, I wonder whether they take their conditions seriously. Gentle scolding on my part has done little to change their behaviors.

When we memorize Bible verses, we are also packing them in our hearts and minds and carrying them at all times, not knowing when they will be needed. When my car was stolen many years ago, I remained remarkably calm as I recalled Philippians 4:6-7, which I memorized: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." The car was recovered by the police several hours later, damaged, but largely intact.

When Jesus was tempted by Satan after fasting for forty days in the desert, he was able to counter every temptation with God's word. He did not have to construct logical arguments de novo, or say something like, "Well, Satan, you make a fairly convincing point about me being the son of God and all, and I'm starving after all these days in the desert, but I remember that one of the readings at the synagogue a couple of months ago...." Instead, his responses were immediate and decisive:

Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (Matthew 4:4)

Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" (Matthew 4:7)

Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" (Matthew 4:10)

May we be diligent in committing God's word to memory, for we never know when they will be needed. Unlike medications, these emergency antidotes do not need to be carried in handbags or pockets, and have no expiration dates. However, they do need to be reviewed and refreshed to maintain potency. Like life-threatening allergies, Satan's attacks are serious business.