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Showing posts from January, 2021

Dying From Asthma in Front a Locked ER Door?

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    This is one of those really heartbreaking stories😭 A few years ago, I read a story about a young woman (Laura Levis)  who died of an asthma attack   My worst fear is that one of my kids would die from asthma. My kids have had 12 hospitalizations for asthma  - and 2 of those were ICU. I know how quickly asthma can go from bad to worse. Some people are surprised to find out that you can die from asthma.  Did you know that every day, 10 Americans die from asthma ? It's heartbreaking, but it can happen.   Later, I read another article from Laura's husband (Peter DeMarco), and learned that she died just outside the locked door to an emergency room (it was NOT clearly marked - unlike the photo above.) Peter wrote a lengthy article explaining how a long series of mistakes had led to Laura's death.    Could this happen to someone in my family?  I used to know where the entrance to our ER is located, but.....they just rebuilt the hospital.  Where is the new entrance?  Do my

Political Stress Triggering Asthma Attacks?

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  You would have to be living under a rock if you didn't see the protestors who stormed the U.S. Capitol. 😮 I was busy at work, helping in our COVID clinic. My phone kept pinging with texts, but I didn't have time to check them. On my commute home, I turned on the radio and was stunned to hear what was happening. What??!!! I turned on the TV when I got home and saw protestors climbing walls and smashing windows in the capitol.  I have spent a fair amount of time in the DC capitol building. I have also visited the House and Senate buildings multiple times when our family has advocated for allergies and asthma.  Like many people, I have walked those halls! I recognized different parts of the building on TV -  although they were happy times for us when we were there. As I was trying to process what I was seeing on TV, my lungs started to get cranky.   What was triggering this asthma attack?! Then I realized.........stress! Did you know that strong emotions and stress can trigger