My Asthma Journey

When I was 10 years old, I had my worst asthma attack yet. I was brought into the hospital and nothing was getting better. My attack eventually led to a left collapsed lung. Now, I really couldn't breathe. At 10 years old I knew I was dying. Surrounded by doctors and my dad, I remember screaming at him "help me, you aren't doing anything while your son is dying!" I still get choked up knowing that I said that to him.
The reality was that the hospital I was in did not have a children's ICU and really couldn't take care of me. My doctor at the time, a wonderful man, Dr. Berkowitz, grabbed my parents and essentially said we need to sneak your son out of this hospital. They got a private ambulance, wheeled me out into the cold and brought me to a hospital with a children's ICU. Little did we know that this move would change everything for me.
I was flatlining but they got me back. I remember going in and out of consciousness with doctors and nurses all around me. They saved me. At the same time, it just so happened that another young doctor was giving a seminar in the hospital about children's asthma and allergies. A nurse went down to him and said that he should come see me after he is done. Well, he did come to see me. He has been my asthma doctor for 40 years. An amazing man, Dr. Torre, who saved my life in more ways than one. Since that time, I only had 2 more serious attacks and have my asthma under control.
I share this story because I want to be an inspiration to others. I especially want to inspire young mothers and children to let them know it gets better and there are people that want to help. I am proof positive that you could lead a normal life with asthma and I hope to convey that to others.