Despite being diagnosed with two life-threatening conditions, Ashley Haydel is a volunteer with the Norco Volunteer Fire Department.
Haydel joined the department a year after being diagnosed with methemoglobinemia, a blood disorder that caused reduced oxygen-carrying capacity, and hemolytic anemia, a condition where red blood cells are destroyed and removed from the bloodstream prematurely.
She compared pinpointing her rare condition to an episode of “House.”
In fact, the cause of these immune-weakening conditions is unknown.
“My life had basically been on hold because of all this,” she said. “It was good to know what was wrong with me … at least I knew what I could do.”
After struggling much of her life trying to understand why she was so fatigued and dealing with constant rashes, Haydel finally got her answer nearly four years ago.
“No one knew what it was, but it was good to have a diagnosis,” Haydel said.
At one point, her blood had become so oxygen deprived that her cells appeared black. She added, “I looked like a zombie.”
Her life began to change for the better with her first blood transfusion eliminating the heat rashes that plagued her.
“When I went out in the sun they broke out everywhere,” Haydel said. “If you put a hot towel on my arm, I would have an allergic reaction to that contact. I couldn’t take a hot bath or go out in the sun or get overheated or exercise. You could imagine what my life was like at this point. I was just living inside and not moving around.”
With the treatment and advice of an oncologist with the National Institute of Health who specialized in the condition, she started to get her life back.
Since being diagnosed, her life has become one of understanding what to do to stay out of the hospital such as avoiding many medications like local anesthetic, as well as no nitrates in food like no pepperoni pizza. What she can’t control is getting a virus, which put her in the hospital.
“When you feel something is wrong with you, you should trust your body and try to find the right doctor until you get answers,” Haydel said. “There are a lot of people who end up in that cycle – don’t take ‘No’ for an answer.”Haydel’s fellow firefighters at Norco VFD and One Team – One Fight recently held a blood drive for her, which drew 40 people who donated blood for her.
Three weeks ago, Haydel went to the hospital and then returned to ICU again a week ago where she got more blood. A complete transfer was anticipated, but was delayed when she had a reaction to her treatment. She got more transfusions.
Haydel expressed her gratitude for the help she has gotten.She added, “Donating blood saves lives.”
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