Smokin' Chopper
Member
Maybe not immune, but "resistant" even? (I'll make all this short.)
I'm reluctant to post this for many reasons really, but the shit sure as hell strikes me as odd. In short, you'd have to know me, and my other resistances/immunities to really follow the "other worldly, shit just don't effect me" thing. With that said....
A few days ago, I noticed a bite on my left knee cap. I passed it off as something that would heal... after all, that which doesn't kill me... you get the idea of my typical mindset.
Several days later and its very swollen, difficult to walk, limping is noticible. The wife convinces me to consult "my family physician". For the record, this lady was an actual P.D. way back in the day, but she's first person I'd go to especially for a gun shot wound, and it doesn't cost me much more than a favor.
She's P.H.d material for sure, has all the documents to prove, but retired, and just wanting a life of peace. So there you have it, I didn't go to a hospital or currently "active" doc.
Without telling her where exactly I work, what kind of arachnids I'm subjected to on a regular basis, she blurts out. "Could be something poisonous like various wasps, bees, black widow......" That last one caught my attention. I've played with these in my work place. Plus they're the only thing that could crawl on my skin and go unnoticed. Don't know why, but these things don't creep me out nearly as much as a wolf spider, (also in my work place, and no where near poisonous) and I believe one could crawl up my leg that far unnoticed and bite me. They're stealthy, believe me.
Here's the kicker... I grew up in a Southern state, and about age 7 I was playing around some styrofoam coolers, and revealed a widow colony... yes odd if you know the habits of a widow...., but without noticing I was bitten by two different widows. I passed out, a coma came over me, by all rights I was probably dying. My dad took me to the hospital, a quick retrace of steps and he knew what illed me, and they essentially resurrected my ass. I lived happily, or thereabouts, ever after....
Now I get this bite and the doc relates it to a widow.... Granted I find myself almost mystically drawn to these creatures, and yet I'm highly arachniphobic. Resistant? Immune? I don't know if I buy that. This morning I was using a cane for assistance in walking, after draining some pressure off the knee (yes I'll spare you the details) I'm walking somewhat normal again, but never once did I feel sick to my stomach or head like I did with my first experience with these creatures.
I now feel it needful to say I've been stung by many varieties of bees, wasps, hornets, scorpions, etc. But never really been so far off balance as I was when my first contact with widows occured.
So what I'm asking you, the reader, is.... could it be possible that I really have developed somekind of resistance/immunity with the black widow spider?
Granted and as mentioned I've recieved various insect bites in latter years, and never really been affected so much as a tiny bump and some minor discomfort in the general area of the bite/sting. But how in the hell does someone develope a resistance or near immunity to one of man kinds' most deadly of species?
Bear with me, a little kind, and some whiskey have prompted this blog/posting. Otherwise I feel great though walking with a slight limp, and perplexed by the possibilies that have been suggested already. Strange shit man....
SC
I'm reluctant to post this for many reasons really, but the shit sure as hell strikes me as odd. In short, you'd have to know me, and my other resistances/immunities to really follow the "other worldly, shit just don't effect me" thing. With that said....
A few days ago, I noticed a bite on my left knee cap. I passed it off as something that would heal... after all, that which doesn't kill me... you get the idea of my typical mindset.
Several days later and its very swollen, difficult to walk, limping is noticible. The wife convinces me to consult "my family physician". For the record, this lady was an actual P.D. way back in the day, but she's first person I'd go to especially for a gun shot wound, and it doesn't cost me much more than a favor.
She's P.H.d material for sure, has all the documents to prove, but retired, and just wanting a life of peace. So there you have it, I didn't go to a hospital or currently "active" doc.
Without telling her where exactly I work, what kind of arachnids I'm subjected to on a regular basis, she blurts out. "Could be something poisonous like various wasps, bees, black widow......" That last one caught my attention. I've played with these in my work place. Plus they're the only thing that could crawl on my skin and go unnoticed. Don't know why, but these things don't creep me out nearly as much as a wolf spider, (also in my work place, and no where near poisonous) and I believe one could crawl up my leg that far unnoticed and bite me. They're stealthy, believe me.
Here's the kicker... I grew up in a Southern state, and about age 7 I was playing around some styrofoam coolers, and revealed a widow colony... yes odd if you know the habits of a widow...., but without noticing I was bitten by two different widows. I passed out, a coma came over me, by all rights I was probably dying. My dad took me to the hospital, a quick retrace of steps and he knew what illed me, and they essentially resurrected my ass. I lived happily, or thereabouts, ever after....
Now I get this bite and the doc relates it to a widow.... Granted I find myself almost mystically drawn to these creatures, and yet I'm highly arachniphobic. Resistant? Immune? I don't know if I buy that. This morning I was using a cane for assistance in walking, after draining some pressure off the knee (yes I'll spare you the details) I'm walking somewhat normal again, but never once did I feel sick to my stomach or head like I did with my first experience with these creatures.
I now feel it needful to say I've been stung by many varieties of bees, wasps, hornets, scorpions, etc. But never really been so far off balance as I was when my first contact with widows occured.
So what I'm asking you, the reader, is.... could it be possible that I really have developed somekind of resistance/immunity with the black widow spider?
Granted and as mentioned I've recieved various insect bites in latter years, and never really been affected so much as a tiny bump and some minor discomfort in the general area of the bite/sting. But how in the hell does someone develope a resistance or near immunity to one of man kinds' most deadly of species?
Bear with me, a little kind, and some whiskey have prompted this blog/posting. Otherwise I feel great though walking with a slight limp, and perplexed by the possibilies that have been suggested already. Strange shit man....
SC