Posted on 12/22/2004 8:48:11 PM PST by ijcr
A woman with a severe allergy to tomatoes died after opening a tin of spaghetti bolognese, it emerged yesterday.
Raya French, 37, a part-time receptionist from Tankerton in Kent, was preparing dinner for her four children two weeks ago when the tomato sauce in the can sent her into anaphylactic shock.
She was taken to hospital, but never regained consciousness. She was allowed to die four days later after her family decided that she had no chance of survival.
Mrs French developed an allergy to raw tomatoes three years ago, and would come out in hives and suffer asthma attacks. Recently the reactions had become more severe.
Her husband, Stephen, said yesterday that despite what had happened, his wife would still want their children - Alexandra, 15, Tom, 10, Maddison, six, and Louis, four - to enjoy the festive season.
"It's been a very difficult time, but we're working towards Christmas," he said.
Canon Patrick Sales, the vicar of All Saints church in nearby Whitstable, said that more than 300 people had attended her funeral last Wednesday.
"She was a governor at the local school where her children were pupils.
"She knew a lot of people in the community and there was a big response to her death."
Mr Sales said of Mrs French's husband and children: "They have been very brave and positive about all this."
For some reason I expected that to read "would still want their children to enjoy tomatoes."
THIS is TOO weird.
a)..Why would a woman with a severe allergy to tomatoes choose to feed bolognaise sauce to her family?
b)...How are they planning on being festive when their mother died a week ago?
Something stinks here.
Death...it's in there.
My first thought exactly. What was she doing anywhere near a tomato product? Did she forget how to read?
HAPPY CHRISTMAS,my friend.:-)
I wonder what sort of question was asked that would require her husband to say that he still wants the children.
Even then, there's usually a tomato or a little Italian dude on the label...kinda like a pictogram.
***b)...How are they planning on being festive when their mother died a week ago?
Something stinks here.***
Happy, don't judge the words of anyone who is in deep grief and shock. This poor man still doesn't know what hit him, and what's ahead for him. He's doing his best for his kids, and HE'S IN SHOCK.
I don't know, my husband has the same reaction to bananas and he won't allow them in the house.
Read the whole sentence - it makes more sense when you don't stop in the middle.
Ummm I have a tomato allergy. Not *that* severe (well not anaphylactic at least) -- my family still eats tomato sauce. I prepare, don't consume. Doesn't phase me. *shrugs*
I think if this was a developing allergy in this woman she had no idea it would come to this. I know I was stunned when mine developed. Shocked actually. I found out about shrimp and tomato on the same day and had enough of a reaction to require epinephrine.
Normally you hear these freak reaction things about nuts and shellfish. I honestly have *never* heard it about tomatoes. I would same I'm glad to be able to note it but I'm really not.
Poor thing tho, and her poor family. I really feel for her kids. That just sucks.
And a most merry and happy of Christmases to you too. :-)
Don't know what I'm doing up so late. I've still so much to do, I think I'm in Christmas denial.
Me, too.
"There are starving kids in China, so why let that spaghetti go to waste?"
My daughter says banana's make her throat feel like it's closing. I thought she was just trying to get out of eating them at first. Now she's older, and I believe her. What happens to your husband?
Al-Qaeda: Italian Cell Sought Chemical Weapons
An al-Qaeda cell in Milan, Italy, is believed to have attempted to obtain cyanide, a component used in chemical weapons (see GSN, Nov. 26), Italian officials said last week.
The officials wiretapped conversations among members of the Milan cell as part of an investigation into planned chemical attacks by groups linked to Osama bin Laden, the Associated Press reported.
A transcript of one call showed that cell leader Essid Sami Ben Khemais spoke of an unspecified drug, also called “tomato cans,” which Italian officials said they took to mean cyanide.
“I’d like to learn how to use the drug and see the effect on someone breathing it,” Ben Khemais was recorded as saying.
Authorities recorded the conversations in March and arrested Ben Khemais and four other suspects in April. They are expected to stand trial in December, the AP reported.
“Do we have hard evidence they possess chemical weapons?” Italian prosecutor Stefano Dambruoso asked. "No. Is it very possible they have them? Yes”
(Victor Simpson, Associated Press/Philadelphia Inquirer, Dec. 1).
"..developed an allergy to raw tomatoes three years ago".
I wonder if she thought the stuff in the can was cooked - and she was just allergic to raw? (Why would cooked vs.raw be any different?) Or - perhaps she thought if she was real careful it would be okay - but it spilled on her? ("Well, my kids like it, I'll take a Benidrel and it won't be too bad.")
Sure makes ya wonder what lies in wait for us all!?
Being exposed to tomatoe sauce to her is like being exposed to anthrax or cyanide for everyone else. How many people here want to play with cyanide or anthrax raise your hands? This sounds suspiciously like a suicide. On the other hand, maybe she was trying to build up her immunity to it. Like Ted Kennedy. Ted Kennedy is allergic to alcohol. When he drinks a lot he feels dizzy and giddy and has problems driving so that`s why he constantly drinks, to improve his immunity.
I can see the light at the end of the tunnel,but I still have a wee bit to do,before Christmas eve hits.
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