Useless Facts About My Asthma
I was diagnosed in 1972.
I was 2 years old. That’s a useless fact I suppose you could go without hearing. Still, it’s relevant to me. I feel now that I am part of the history of asthma. And, while on this topic, here are some more useless facts about my asthma.
Facts about my asthma
My dad wanted me to become a respiratory therapist.
But I didn’t listen. When I graduated I went to journalism school because I loved writing. Being a journalist on the campus of Ferris State University was fun. But, when I got out in the real journalism world, I decided I didn’t enjoy snooping on people. So I quit this job after only 3 months. After 4 years and a bachelor’s degree at Ferris, I decided to listen to my dad and become a respiratory therapist. Now I have been a respiratory therapist for 25 years.
I have had a nebulizer at my home longer than any patient I have ever seen as a respiratory therapist.
It is true. I got my first nebulizer in 1985. Twelve years later I was a respiratory therapist. Now I have been a respiratory therapist for 25 years. In those years, I have asked many patients how long they have had nebulizers at home. Never has a patient come even close to owning one as long as I have. I do, however, know of at least one person with asthma who has had nebulizers longer than me.
I have 6 nebulizers.
I actually had 7 at one point. But I gave my tabletop unit to one of my friends who has children with asthma. So, that was my charitable donation for that year. Five of my nebulizers are mesh nebulizers. I got these for free a few years ago when I was writing reviews on such things for my blog.
I sleep with 2 pillows.
I sleep with my head elevated on 2 pillows, even on good asthma days. I literally feel uncomfortable when I go places and there’s only one pillow. So, in such instances, I fold my pillow in half and sleep that way with my head propped up. I’m not even sure if I do this because of my bad asthma days. Or if I sleep this way because that’s how my mom slept. I do notice my son sleeps with 2 pillows now. And I’m sure he does it because I do it. So, it’s difficult to know why we start such habits.
I have 2 cats.
Yeah! I know! I bought an allergy-free house, and here I am adding cats and risking that I might be allergic to them. Thankfully, my last 2 allergy tests showed I was not allergic to cats. Although, my daughter has a friend who has allergies to cats and dogs, and my house was the only house that she could spend the night at. So, I feel bad for her friend, as she is no longer able to sleep over at my house. After the cats moved in, my son said, “Dad, what if I’m allergic to them?” Doh. Thankfully he’s not allergic to cats.
I cannot sleep on my back.
When I was a little kid, I would cough a lot at night. At this time my mom had no idea, I am sure, that coughing is the most common symptom of asthma in children. Not knowing this, when my coughing kept her up she got irritated with me, and she came into my room and made me lie on my side, which helped allay my coughing. I remember one time lying on my side needing to cough. And I would do so in my pillow so as to not bother Mom. If Mom and I had only known back then what was truly going on. This was also before the days of rescue medicine in my house.
So, what about you?
I just listed some useless facts about my own asthma. I could probably go on and list some more, but I don’t want to overstay my welcome. What about you? Do you have any interesting facts about your asthma you would like to share? If so, please do so in the comments below, or by clicking the button below.
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