Gutted

[starcana]

After five years, learning more each year and loving my hobby, I now have to give it up. I was stung twice yesterday, had an allergic reaction, ambulanced to A & E and spent 24 hours in a ward with heart monitor and the full works.

I'd gone up early evening to put my new rhombus clearer board on so I could leave it under two supers overnight as previous advice and take it off in the morning. Got as far as taking the first two supers off when I was bombed by literally hundreds of bees,chased around the field four times and stung on my neck (through my suit/helmet) and on my leg. Managed to get back,put supers and roof back on before realising I was having breathing difficulties, swelling and a body that looked liked it had been scalded all over with a white lump rash to boot.

hospital advice/instruction - no more bees and an epipen on me at all times.

My friend has volunteered to take all my supers off (4, 2 and 1) in a couple of weeks. guess I can spin and jar it then. And that will be it. have to try to sell all my gear.
So upset, loved my hobby with its constant sharp learning curve :-(

 

[yeogi75]

talk to Dougie before giving up he was in the same situation as you

 

[kazmcc]

Check the sticky at the top of the main forum page. You might be able to get desensitization treatment. I'm so sorry, you must be feeling terrible.

 

[Swarm]

The course would not be practical to everyone, how many people could take the time off work required to attend all the necessary appointments? Not forgetting there would probably be a fair amount of travelling to each one, it would amount to practically a day off every time.

 

[Glenviewbee]

What a bummer ( Really sorry to hear the situation with the allergic reaction.
Well done for getting to A & E - presumably Treliske?
Good luck with whatever you decide - do look into the desensitisation option though

 

[itma]

Depending on distance, practicality for different folks will vary.

However, it seems that the clinics are generally scheduled for 8am so as to avoid excessive interruption of patients' daily grind.
But it is very hard for employers to refuse a request for time clear to attend a course of appointments at a hospital clinic.



Ultimately, the decision as to how to proceed is up to the individual. Desensitisation therapy is available on the NHS, whether or not your GP/A&E are aware of it (yet! ) The catch is that it is only available at specialised centres - which is where the geographic lottery comes in.

 

[kazmcc]

The course would not be practical to everyone, how many people could take the time off work required to attend all the necessary appointments? Not forgetting there would probably be a fair amount of travelling to each one, it would amount to practically a day off every time.

Of course, all this will have to be taken into account, but you might be able too. I really feel for you, I know how that would make me feel and I don't have my own colony anymore

 

[kazmcc]

But it is very hard for employers to refuse a request for time clear to attend a course of appointments at a hospital clinic.

Especially when that treatment is considered life saving! You don't have to be a beekeeper to get stung, could happen any time, I certainly would consider this life saving treatment.

 

[isc26]

What is the priority. Bees are fascinating but you have to be alive to appreciate that. A longstanding beekeeper close to my parents was having increasingly strong reactions, he never made it back to his car to get his Epipen. Too higher price.

 

[starcana]

Thanks all - only fellow beekeepers really understand why this is so upsetting! The first thing I did on return from hospital was look at the Sticky on desensitisation courses, but on further reflexion have decided that's not for me.

I think you need confidence to handle bees well and I have lost mine after this episode. I will let my friend/neighbour continue to keep her bees in my field as they are not in an area I need to go to and I still believe bees don't want to sting us and will leave me alone if I leave them alone.

So, once the supers are off, they're treated and fed for the Autumn, let me know if anyone in Cornwall wants to buy three WBCS, 10 supers and all the gear

Ideas for a new hobby as fascinating as beekeeping?

 

[kazmcc]

I'm sorry to hear that, but totally understand your reasons and your sensible approach. What a shame, you must be so upset, but your health comes first of course. I wish you luck in your next pastime, whatever that may be

 

[Swarm]

I can remember a time when employers honoured appointments at doctor, hospital and dentist, unfortunately the manufactured recession has left a different working environment.
I had cause to seek physiotherapy treatment, a facility offered via work. Appointments were at 8:30 am and it was not long before I received a phone call asking why I didn't arrange these visits after work as they empinge on productivity.
Starting at 7:30, a first slot of 8:00 am will already knock 30 mins off a shift and that's before seeing anyone, receiving treatment and the monitored wait afterwards not to mention the journey from the clinic/surgery/hospital where the treatment is carried out. Never in a million years would my employer wear that.

The chance of being stung while going about day to day stuff can be sorted by an epipen, my daughter has one and there is absolutely no reason for a desensitisation course that will go on regularly for years, other than to carry on keeping bees.

Employer says make a choice.

I'm very sorry for Starcana, as I realise should this happen to me I'd have to do the same and good luck to those lucky people who are able to go through this treatment.

 

[Margaret Elisabeth]

Starcana, if the field is yours would you consider growing nectar rich plants. Maybe you could develop the field into a garden or a plant centre for bee friendly plants. There is a growing demand.
I do feel for you it is a blow, and you are right about the confidence thing. I have had to work hard on my NLP calming techniques since I was stung badly on one of my hive inspection (honey stealing) forays. Let us know what happens with the hives and what you decide to do.

 

[Glenviewbee]

Starcana - are you a member of the WCBKA? If so get the editor to advertise your gear in An Hes and I am sure somebody will be very happy to make a deal with you