Jane Seymore, a 70-year-old actress best known for playing “Solitaire” in the James Bond classic “Live and Let Die,” “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman,” and countless other roles in movies and television, recently opened up about her experience with anaphylaxis that nearly took her life.
Host Joe Duffy questioned the actress, who features on the Irish Public Television program “The Meaning of Life.”
Did you actually die, or were you just about to? inquired Duffy.
Seymour retorted, “Well, according to the physicians, I did die. “I was killed.”
She remembered, “I was playing Maria Callas in a movie about [Aristotle] Onasis. “At the time, I was in Madrid, Spain. That Saturday, I called production and explained that I was quite ill. I believe I should visit a doctor.
The doctor arrived. She needs two weeks of recuperation, he explained. No, we need her Monday, they responded. So they made the decision to inject me with an antibiotic.
“They left, and the male nurse came to perform it. As soon as he shot me, I realized something wasn’t right. I experienced an anaphylactic shock.
“Basically, what I remember is that my heart began to beat incredibly quickly, and then it stopped. Silent.
Before then, she recalls, “it was like, ‘Something’s wrong, something’s wrong,’ and then there was serenity. “The most incredible calm, like in deep meditation.
“The white light was there. Wow, you know, that’s really interesting, I thought. And then, for some reason, I noticed that I was looking down at myself. And I simply pleaded with them to let me return to my body, saying “Anyone, anything.” I wish to bring up my kids. All I could think of was that.
No information was given regarding how Ms. Seymour was later brought back to life.
Anaphylaxis is a potentially fatal reaction to food, insect venom, or environmental triggers that can happen at any time, as it did in Ms. Seymour’s case, without prior notice.
Anaphylaxis symptoms include
Hives, itching, and flushed or pale skin are only a few examples of skin reactions;
Low blood pressure (hypotension); Airway constriction and throat or tongue swelling, which can lead to wheezing and breathing difficulties;
a fast pulse that is feeble;
dizziness or fainting; nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Epinephrine is the only medication that can stop and reverse the progression of anaphylaxis.
It is important to always bring two epinephrine auto-injectors with you wherever you go if you have allergies to foods or other chemicals. You need two since one dose might not be enough to stop anaphylaxis from progressing or the device might break down or be used incorrectly.
