Asthma ruins record attempt for swimming

(CNNhealth)

Many of you may have watched Diana Nyad getting ready to swim 103 miles from Cuba to Florida-at age 61! Wow!

I thought it was an interesting story, but then I really paid attention when I heard that she had to end her swim because of asthma. She was only half way into her swim when she had to stop. She was very upset and has been training for this swim for 2 years. But asthma isn't something you can plan for. She said she used her inhaler 40 times during the 29 hour swim and even used some oxygen, but she couldn't beat her asthma.

I think people that don't have asthma don't understand what asthma can do to your body. They may take for it for granted that they can breathe, but when you can't breathe and aren't getting the oxygen you need, it just wipes you out. You are so tired and weak, that whatever you have planned to do is probably going to have to be cancelled. It's hard to explain to someone that doesn't have asthma, but for those of you who do have asthma, you know what I am talking about.

Click here to see the story about Diana Nyad and attempting to swim the ocean.

I take my hat off to her, I am very impressed by her effort. The video even shows her floating on her back and inhaling oxygen. Anytime you need oxygen, things can get a little scary. But even getting oxygen wasn't enough to keep her going. What an amazing woman. I just keep hoping that someday they'll find a cure for asthma.

Until then, I have my own version of Dory's mantra from the Disney movie "Finding Nemo." Instead of saying "just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming," I say "just keep breathing, just keep breathing, just keep breathing."