Arizona Woman Faces Life-Threatening Botulism After Meal

A 24-year-old woman from Phoenix, Arizona, is recovering from a rare and potentially fatal illness known as botulism, contracted after consuming homemade fermented swordfish during a gathering with friends. Trinity Peterson-Mayes, a wedding planner, reported that her health deteriorated rapidly following the meal, which she described as having a terrible taste.

Peterson-Mayes initially thought she might experience a mild stomach ache after trying the dish. However, within days, she experienced alarming symptoms. “I noticed that when I was chugging water, I wouldn’t be able to chug it. It was going down the wrong pipe,” she explained. In less than 24 hours, she was unable to drink any water at all. Concern escalated after a near-choking incident involving coffee, prompting her to seek medical assistance.

Upon her first visit to a hospital, doctors were uncertain about her condition. “They wanted to send me home after the first hospital I went to,” Peterson-Mayes said. Persisting in her concerns, she was transferred to St. Joseph’s Medical Center and the Barrow Neurological Institute for specialized care. There, medical professionals diagnosed her with botulism, an illness that most emergency physicians encounter only a handful of times in their careers.

According to Dr. Frank LoVecchio, an emergency physician, there are typically about two dozen cases of foodborne botulism annually in the United States. He explained that the disease is caused by a toxin produced by bacteria that thrive in low-oxygen environments, often found in improperly canned foods. “It’s a neurological toxin which can cause blurred vision and paralysis of your muscles,” he noted, emphasizing the risk to respiratory muscles.

As the toxin spread throughout her body, Peterson-Mayes’s condition worsened. She required ventilation support and was placed on a ventilator to assist her breathing. “I woke up, and I had three IVs. I was intubated, I had a central line in my neck, and I had an NG tube,” she said. The experience was frightening, leaving her unable to move.

Medical professionals administered a life-saving antitoxin, and Peterson-Mayes is now beginning the lengthy process of recovery. “I wasn’t able to talk before. I wasn’t able to walk,” she shared. Remarkably, five of her friends who also consumed the fermented swordfish experienced similar symptoms, with two of them also diagnosed with botulism. Fortunately, all affected individuals have since been discharged from the hospital.

Peterson-Mayes anticipates her release from the Barrow Neurological Institute in about a week, but she cautioned that a full recovery may take months. This incident is not her first encounter with severe health challenges; she is a two-time survivor of childhood cancer. In light of her medical situation, an online fundraiser has been established to assist with her medical expenses and living costs.

Looking ahead, Peterson-Mayes is rethinking her dietary choices, particularly concerning seafood. “I am scared of sushi now too. Canned food, sushi, I don’t know about that anymore,” she admitted, reflecting on the profound impact this experience has had on her life.