Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki hospitalized after severe allergic reaction
MILWAUKEE -- A brush with death. The Archbishop of Milwaukee says if it weren't for some luck and a lot of help, he may not have survived a severe allergic reaction.
On Sunday mornings, many times all that priests ask is that we listen.
"Strangely enough, last week's gospel was you know not the hour, or time of day. You got to be ready," Listecki said.
Just a day after a lesson on how life should not be taken for granted, no one expected Archbishop of Milwaukee Jerome Listecki to deliver a dramatic example in a lengthy post on the “Archdiocese of Milwaukee blog."
"I returned from Poland for World Youth Day, and I had a sinus infection," Listecki said.
Jerome Listecki
Listecki says Monday, he grabbed medicine at his home before going to a meeting.
"I opened it up and took a swig of Robitussin," Listecki said.
He didn't realize it was Robitussin CF, which has an added ingredient.
"And it has acetaminophen, I'm highly allergic to acetaminophen," said Listecki.
Listecki first called his housekeeper.
"She said you want me to call 911? She said no why don't you just come over and we'll go over to the ER," the blog post read.
By the time he made it outside, his throat was closing.
"Luckily I had the cell phone in my pocket," said Listecki.
As paramedics arrived, another priest happened to be walking by and delivered the sacrament of the sick.
"He grabs the holy oil. And anoints me," said Listecki.
Listecki was rushed to the hospital and kept overnight as precaution.
An unexpected way to make a point about a sermon that was worth reflecting on.
"I don't care if you're the archbishop of Milwaukee or a police officers, you've got to be ready when God will call you," said Listecki.
Listecki says his guardian angels were working overtime. He says if it wasn't for his cell phone, and a lot of other good fortune including the fact he had Benadryl early on, which likely slowed the reaction -- there's a good chance he wouldn't be here.
We're glad he is.
Read Listecki's full blog post here:
I returned home from Kraków, Poland energized by the committed youth of the world who are in love with their faith. I also came home with a sinus infection, which caused continuous sneezing and coughing. I was doctoring myself with Sudafed and Robitussin cough medicine.
This past Monday night, I was preparing to go to the Cousins Center to join the committee drafting the Black Catholic Pastoral Plan. I was hacking away, and decided I needed to take a shot of cough medicine to quell the coughing so as not to disturb the meeting’s flow of conversation. Without looking at the newly-purchased bottle of Robitussin, I swallowed a normal dosage. In less than 30 seconds, my mouth and lips started to swell. I quickly grabbed the bottle and discovered that it contained acetaminophen (Tylenol). Of course, I am highly allergic to acetaminophen. For me, it causes anaphylactic shock. I had the presence of mind to swallow two Benadryl, which I hoped would slow down the reaction.
Within seconds, I picked up the phone and called Joanne Merriner, who always cares for the house and the Archbishop. She lives only five minutes away, and now with a rasping voice, I called telling her I was having an allergic reaction and asked her if she would drive me to the emergency room so that I could be treated. She kindly agreed. However, by the time I walked downstairs, I had lost my voice and it became difficult to breathe. Walking into the parking lot, I became disoriented. Using my cell phone, I called 911, and with a barely audible whisper, I asked for emergency aid because I was having a severe allergic reaction. Within two minutes, paramedics arrived, accompanied by an ambulance. They could see I was having a severe allergic reaction.
I felt a bit like Lon Chaney, who portrayed the “Wolfman” in those wonderful horror pictures of the forties. With every second, my features were changing. I expected the paramedics to say, “Does your face hurt you? Well, it’s killing me.” My ears, normally fairly large, now were Vulcan-like (somewhat like the character Mr. Spock on Star Trek). My face was a vibrant red.
Now, I realize that allergic reactions are nothing to joke about and there could have been deadly consequences, but my Guardian Angel was working overtime. The paramedics administered an epinephrine shot countering the deadly effects. Father Luke Strand happened to be on the spot to administer the sacrament of the sick.
While traveling in the ambulance, the allergic reaction started again, and I received another shot. In minutes, we were at Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital, and the emergency staff could not have been nicer. They told me how strange it was that someone would be allergic to acetaminophen. I was administered yet more drugs and although my ears returned to the large, not extra-large, size and the vibrant red skin was replaced by my typical pale white, they decided to keep me overnight for observation because my voice did not return to normal. Father Luke stayed with me until 10 p.m., and then my sister Penny stayed overnight at my bedside until I was released the next day.
So, I apologize for missing my normal deadline for the Tuesday LOA on August 8.
Last Sunday’s gospel was “be prepared,” because you know not the hour or the time of day. Monday was close to being my day. I realized how many things I did not have in order. But, thanks to the kindness of a good priest, I was oiled up in the sacrament, understanding that I might have been standing before Jesus who would be asking me, “Did you LOVE ONE ANOTHER?”