Childhood to Adulthood
As a child, I never really knew what asthma really was despite having it, and many times being affected by it. I always had my mom standing by my side, despite having two other siblings, she always made sure my teachers, coaches, friend's parents were all aware of my asthma attacks.
I recall vividly when running track, something I loved doing, as I felt at peace... one year at a new school in Jr High a coach was not so accepting of physical medical limits that came up! I personally always did my best to push through, yet it's very frightening when you can't catch your breath and you're gasping to breathe, and an adult is doing nothing to help you one bit! My mom, who was my hero through my youth with asthma, set this coach straight. She explained to him my breathing barriers, what made it worse, and what helped. Although I loved the longer runs, I had to learn to enjoy a different shorter one to avoid asthmatic events, especially growing up in the Panhandle of Texas weather.
As I grew into an adult living in Minnesota for 25 years, I faced different challenging health events, as I've developed Sarcoidossis which has given me granulomas on my lungs. Sjogren's and Raynaud's also. I moved back to Texas 6 years ago for a dryer climate!
Today, I'm on day 41 of what my doctor is calling long haul COVID. My lungs are greatly affected since developing COVID on November 1. Two rounds of steroids, nebulizer, inhalers, and two antibiotics as I fight bronchitis and the will to breathe, I'm reminded of my younger self's determination.
Although it's all so very exhausting at this moment, I never for once take advantage of the simple ability to breathe in and out, despite my discomfort.
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