A healthcare worker has thanked her colleagues for saving her life in the first week of a new job.
Quick thinking staff at Tulip Dental Surgery administered two adrenaline shots to mum-of-one Madeleine Burton after she suffered an extreme allergic reaction last Thursday, her fourth day working for the Woolram Wygate practice.
Staff at Pilgrim Hospital say their swift actions in giving Madeline the adrenaline shots promptly saved her life.
And she has thanked them personally from her hospital bed after worrying her 20-month-old son Isaac could have been left without a mum after he himself was hospitalised earlier this year with what Madeleine believes to have been COVID-19.
“I’ve definitely made a first impression at my job,” Madeleine said. “I just remember texting them in the morning asking them to forgive the rash all over my neck and face, I felt fine but didn’t know what had caused it.
“As I sat at my desk I just remember feeling more and more unwell.
“Anyone in that environment gets trained in medical emergencies and the use of adrenaline every year as recurrent training.
“I don’t know when their last training was but they were very efficient.
“As soon as I started struggling to breathe they got the kit and administered it.
“They also have been incredibly kind since, sending me well wishes and just being really supportive.
“I can’t thank them enough.”
After spending last Friday in hospital, doctors sent Madeleine home on Saturday, but she soon suffered another allergic reaction though was able to get back to hospital.
It’s been an incredibly traumatic few months for her.
In March she was in the same hospital with Isaac who was treated with oxygen for pneumonia, though a subsequent antibody test has confirmed that at some point he’s had COVID-19.
Madeleine also lost her dad Trevor recently and suffered a ruptured appendix herself.
Doctors still don’t know what caused the allergic reaction of the kind she’s not experienced before.
“I’ve had eight injections of adrenaline the last few days so my body physically hurts but they’ve said that’s a side effect.
“I’m apprehensive, I’m scared it will happen again. Especially as I’m a single parent and Isaac is too young to call for help but mainly I just feel grateful.
“I feel like that day the dentist’s quick actions saved my life, as much as I feel exhausted at the moment I’m so so grateful.
“And for their support since, I’ve never known a workforce being so accepting and welcoming. I already feel part of the family and feel they need recognition for what they’re doing.”
A former dental nurse at Johnson Hospital and apprentice nurse at King’s Lynn’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Madeleine had taken up a receptionist position while also set to help out with nursing.
“I’ve always loved looking after people,” said Madeleine who celebrates her 28th birthday tomorrow (Friday). “I miss Isaac like mad but thankfully he’s staying with a great friend and her family.”
