tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78564222083885152862024-03-15T18:12:01.865-07:00My Life as an Asthma MomWritten by a mom with allergies and asthma - who is also a Certified Asthma Educator (AE-C). Caring for her 3 children who have allergies and asthma, and offering advice on how to avoid the pitfalls. My Life as an Asthma Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13702075700890289018noreply@blogger.comBlogger766125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7856422208388515286.post-72112295013514154372024-03-13T13:16:00.000-07:002024-03-13T13:16:24.950-07:00<p><br /> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHa0__3sB1XxPaumGScks2hVWcsb2iMlEWrBcXYFIJcv1rvBESg15EI-XwCNoYV3gt6YNKc0pNA6FkQaNRYSAK1kimbKx2clhyLfvjOB9VrEDoFisLVomIi8HUbXppVxYAq7ajlWhkr6O_1i5yellRNMS7pWLoaETZkWNhrL3jPm4m-PC4oFEXQ2bzxq9c/s1080/Pulmonary%20rehab.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHa0__3sB1XxPaumGScks2hVWcsb2iMlEWrBcXYFIJcv1rvBESg15EI-XwCNoYV3gt6YNKc0pNA6FkQaNRYSAK1kimbKx2clhyLfvjOB9VrEDoFisLVomIi8HUbXppVxYAq7ajlWhkr6O_1i5yellRNMS7pWLoaETZkWNhrL3jPm4m-PC4oFEXQ2bzxq9c/s320/Pulmonary%20rehab.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Have you heard of pulmonary rehab?</span><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It's a supervised exercise and education program created to help people with long term lung diseases. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Most programs are held at hospitals or outpatient clinics. The sessions are held 2- 3 days for several weeks. Sometimes they will offer in home help. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Who will be helping you? A long list of professionals such as: respiratory therapists, nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, psychologists or social workers, dieticians, spiritual advisors and of course - doctors. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Since everyone with asthma (or other lung diseases) are different, your program will be different from other patients and designed just for you. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The goals are to help you improve your quality of life, help you with your shortness of breath, and help you improve how you do daily activities (like laundry, going to the grocery store and carrying the groceries in, etc)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> How does it work?</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The different staff members will help you in a variety of areas. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">They will start by seeing what's going on with your cranky lungs. That will examine your blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen level. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">They may also have you walk on a treadmill to see how far you can walk in 6 minutes. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">They will help you learn about different topics to help you deal with your lungs. You may think you know everything, but sometimes "you don't know what you don't know."</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You'll learn certain exercises to help you feel a little better and do more than you can now. You may start slow by stretching, using a treadmill, stationary bike, or chair exercises. Light weights may be added. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A counselor will help you learn how to cope with the emotions that come with a long term chronic disease.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A nutritionist will help you find the rights foods and weight range for your body. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You may be able to join a support group too. I find it easier to chat with other people about my cranky lungs, because they "get it". </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If you have had pulmonary rehab before, drop a comment to let me know how it worked for you! <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><br /></p>My Life as an Asthma Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13702075700890289018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7856422208388515286.post-53207979644338954472024-03-06T18:28:00.000-08:002024-03-06T18:28:20.644-08:00What a Certified Asthma Educator (AE-C)?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCBZ07StYCkadncu58e8LO5we7dCHxZ0OddZbM1jFtQ6P9sunRAFl5JLvyZ9DqOhshNtEEQOW-6CDxAxUB13mqV1kMZRVJ-H3oBQ2SchnDBhqlZ3nJ5PzFUwQB8C7ewUB6XBDJhEJ5Pc2P5YVSFtI7y2zVSlGdtzY2jEr-VPCJ-_JRRVYAvNTFZF75Tn62/s1080/Asthma%20educator.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCBZ07StYCkadncu58e8LO5we7dCHxZ0OddZbM1jFtQ6P9sunRAFl5JLvyZ9DqOhshNtEEQOW-6CDxAxUB13mqV1kMZRVJ-H3oBQ2SchnDBhqlZ3nJ5PzFUwQB8C7ewUB6XBDJhEJ5Pc2P5YVSFtI7y2zVSlGdtzY2jEr-VPCJ-_JRRVYAvNTFZF75Tn62/s320/Asthma%20educator.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Do you want to learn more about asthma? </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">And want to learn from the best people in the profession? <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You're in luck! </span><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">There is a national certification for asthma education in the U.S.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It's a tough exam (in my opinion). It took me 3 hours, cost $350, and has a low pass rate. I studied hard and passed the exam in 2016.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>It's also a voluntary certification.</i> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So those who take and pass the exam do so because they are passionate about asthma education and evidence based care. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>What is the certification? </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The <a href="https://www.nbrc.org/examinations/certified-asthma-educator-ae-c/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Asthma Educator Specialist (AE-C)</a> is managed by the National Board for Respiratory Care. <i>(Previously, it was managed by NAECB - National Asthma Educator Certification Board.)</i> <b><br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">To pass this national certification exam, candidates must have: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><i></i></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><i></i></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>".....comprehensive, current knowledge of asthma pathophysiology and
management including developmental theories, cultural dimensions, the
impact of chronic illness, and principles of teaching-learning. "</i></span></blockquote></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Passing this exam shows to employers, colleagues, and patients that your
skills are highly specialized.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <b>Who is eligible? <br /></b></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Currently licensed or credentialed professional. Such as:</span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Doctors (MD, DO)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Physician Assistant (PA-C)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Nurse (RN, LPN or NP)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Respiratory Therapist (RRT, CRT)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Pulmonary Lung Function Technologist (RPFT, CPFT)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Pharmacist (RPh)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Physical Therapist (PT)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Occupational Therapist (OT) <br /></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Health Educator (CHES)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Social Worker (CSW)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Paramedic</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Emergency Medical Technician (EMT, AEMT)</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> OR</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">You can also have 1,000 hours of 1 on 1 patient education, counseling, or coordinating services.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> (Public) Health Educators </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My profession is often overlooked, because it's not part of the medical field</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Health Educators <i>complement </i>the medical profession by providing evidence based education to their patients. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">To earn a degree in Public Health, the courses are rigorous and include: anatomy & physiology, biology, physical science, behavioral science, epidemiology, human diseases, medical terminology, ethics, health & diversity, environmental health, modifying health behavior, research methods, bio statistics, etc. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After passing those grueling courses, you can sit for the <a href="https://www.nchec.org/ches" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) exam. </a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It's also costs $350, takes 3 hours, and has a low pass rate. (I also passed that exam in 2011.)<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">To keep my certification, I must have 75 continuing education (CE) credit hours every 5 years. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">For the AE-C credential, I have to earn 35 hours of CE credits every 5 years. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Add that up and I have to earn 110 CE credits every 5 years! <br /></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">That means attending national asthma conferences, summits, listening to asthma webinars, reading up on the latest research, medication changes, and any updates to the national or global asthma guidelines. <i><br /></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If you are lucky enough to work with a Certified Asthma Educator that works in Public Health - know that they are in the Top 5% of their profession. And extremely knowledgeable. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Extra help <br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> They can also help you find other resources you need - such as help with rent, utilities, transportation, food banks, low cost clinics, tobacco cessation, speech therapy, assisted living, etc .</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We are experts in our communities and coordinate with other agencies to help people find the resources they need for a better quality of life. We know asthma won't be a priority if people are hungry, cold, and about to be evicted.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Check your local or state health department's Asthma Program if you need a little extra help.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><br /></p>My Life as an Asthma Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13702075700890289018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7856422208388515286.post-77418000138139818762024-02-08T16:21:00.000-08:002024-02-08T16:21:29.629-08:00Chronic cough - is it asthma or lung cancer?<p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">There are many things that can mimic asthma. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Last month, I wrote about how Vocal Chord Dysfunction (VCD) can mimic asthma.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When you have a chronic cough, most people assume that you have asthma. But what if it's not asthma? </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What if it's something more serious? </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Have you heard of radon? </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">What is Radon?</span></b> <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that can seep into buildings (homes, schools, businesses, churches, etc.)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">People hear the phrase "colorless, odorless gas" and think of carbon monoxide. That is another dangerous gas - and it can kill you quickly. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Radon is radioactive. And our bodies do NOT like radiation. In fact, radon is linked with lung cancer - and it can kill you slowly.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Radon is the #2 cause of lung cancer in the U.S. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">That means you can get lung cancer...... even if you have never smoked. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLlZZTRPm8gOH3O6r-1EyclB7mG26t5aDPyLSaxuLSleJQ7WaifHC3GF3m6eymTV0aYZ5tC6YFAXStZuZuFCPTK-03ziFnHqUa3i40L-BsSzE-IdXzvOZGGqCfROt2s3BmwUQVxJV50XlZU88UfVPN-gxLLLC3Fg3SR6TZfQ15ytdCOfyNeOPcgaV2z6D/s621/Radon.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="616" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLlZZTRPm8gOH3O6r-1EyclB7mG26t5aDPyLSaxuLSleJQ7WaifHC3GF3m6eymTV0aYZ5tC6YFAXStZuZuFCPTK-03ziFnHqUa3i40L-BsSzE-IdXzvOZGGqCfROt2s3BmwUQVxJV50XlZU88UfVPN-gxLLLC3Fg3SR6TZfQ15ytdCOfyNeOPcgaV2z6D/s320/Radon.png" width="317" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Where does radon come from?<br /></span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-12/documents/2016_a_citizens_guide_to_radon.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Environmental Protection Agency</a> says, </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">'Radon comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe." </span></i></span></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">It usually moves through the ground and into the air, where it can get into your home through cracks in the foundation or holes around pipes that enter the home. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Your home "sucks in" like a vacuum, which can suck radon into the house from the surrounding rocks and soil. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Once it's in your house, it can be easily trapped. And then you can breathe in the colorless, odorless and radioactive gas. </span> <br /></p><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> <span style="color: #3d85c6;">How common is radon? </span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Nationwide, it's found in 1 out of every 15 homes. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In my state, 1 out of every 3 homes has an elevated radon level. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You can have elevated radon levels in old or new houses. Radon is an equal opportunity menace. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">How do you know if your house has radon?</span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The only way to know is to test your home. There are several options for this. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1. <b>A Short term test kit </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I bought a short term test kit from my local health department. Some state's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will also offer low cost test kits (around $11)<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Or you can order from a <a href="https://secure.airchek.com/cgi-bin/oo.cgi?ooname=DIY&action=remove_from_cart&item_index=60" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">radon testing company</a>, but may pay a little bit more. I have used this test kit before</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">You test your home for 3-7 days and ship the test kit to the lab. The lab analysis and shipping are included in the cost </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">2. <b>A Long Term Test Kit</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This stays in the home for 3 months or up to a year. You can order it on the <a href="https://secure.airchek.com/cgi-bin/oo.cgi?ooname=DIY&action=remove_from_cart&item_index=60" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">same website.</a> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">3. <b>Continuous Radon Monitor </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Check with your health department or state DEQ to see if they have a list of people who are certified to test for radon. They can use a Continuous Radon Monitor (CRM) and get test results in 48 hours. There are some health departments who also will let you check out a CRM for a small fee. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">What if your level if elevated?<br /></span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">First, don't panic! </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The homes I purchased a few years ago had an elevated radon level. We contacted a certified contractor to install a radon mitigation system. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Radon mitigation systems vary in price, but in my state, they run between $1200 and $1500. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Check with your state Radon Program to find a list of mitigators for your state. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You want this done right! <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">To learn how radon mitigation systems work, read more on Page 9 of <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-12/documents/2016_consumers_guide_to_radon_reduction.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this brochure</a>. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Always re-test after your home is fixed. Sometimes, the contractor needs to come back and adjust your system (add a bigger fan, etc.) <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If you have questions, leave a comment on the blog and I can help you. I coordinated my county's radon program for 13 years. </span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Here are a couple of handy brochures about radon:</span></p><p><a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-12/documents/2016_a_citizens_guide_to_radon.pdf" rel="nofollow" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank">A Citizen's Guide to Radon: The Guide to Protecting Yourself and Your Family From Radon </a></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">and </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-12/documents/2016_consumers_guide_to_radon_reduction.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction: How to Fix Your Home</a></span> <br /></p><br /><p><br /></p>My Life as an Asthma Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13702075700890289018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7856422208388515286.post-78414594135638736002024-01-03T16:23:00.000-08:002024-01-08T13:05:52.038-08:00How can you tell if it's vocal chord dysfunction or asthma?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vf8AL6cGCb2vc5_5jePBtPKGokwh4Rs872JzzAuZLNtT9XvDhWJPv8NLzW2KnaXkTuym2amavp8lZJGjHsgGjha2sy7XS-Zfz4NTTKuTHSlC4U8-uUSHFyJe19Nlx6NuYcLD90CI_iBYOrFe9g10IO5a_xowEIDI0w4goFfTcgZ-mYjQfSTp44GNGiAj/s615/VCD%20or%20asthma.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="615" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vf8AL6cGCb2vc5_5jePBtPKGokwh4Rs872JzzAuZLNtT9XvDhWJPv8NLzW2KnaXkTuym2amavp8lZJGjHsgGjha2sy7XS-Zfz4NTTKuTHSlC4U8-uUSHFyJe19Nlx6NuYcLD90CI_iBYOrFe9g10IO5a_xowEIDI0w4goFfTcgZ-mYjQfSTp44GNGiAj/s320/VCD%20or%20asthma.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: arial;">There are many things that can mimic asthma, and Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD) is one of them.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial;">What is VCD?</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-treatments/related-conditions/vocal-cord-dysfunction" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">VCD </a>is when your vocal cords close (when they should be open). </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It can cause symptoms that are the same as asthma, and that's why it can be hard to tell if it's VCD or asthma</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Symptoms include:</span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;"> Coughing</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Wheezing</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Hard time breathing </span></li></ul><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> Sounds like asthma, right?!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Other symptoms are:</span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;"> Hoarse voice</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Throat feeling tight </span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Voice changes <br /></span></li></ul><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My daughter Kitty had a rough year. Her asthma was off the charts, and nothing seemed to help. Albuterol didn't help, prednisone didn't help, none of her controller inhalers were helping. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Even though I'm a Certified Asthma Educator, I was stumped - as was Asthma Doc. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Asthma Doc ordered a spirometry test (also called a pulmonary lung function test - or PFT). <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It showed Kitty's lungs were 150% of normal. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Hmmm <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So what could explain her asthma-like symptoms? </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Asthma Doc asked if Kitty had ever been tested for VCD. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">She had - back in high school. She was running track and cross country and would use her Albuterol before a race, but still had a hard time breathing. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Her previous Asthma Doc (rest his soul), had diagnosed Kitty VCD and recommended speech therapy. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Speech therapy?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Yes. The speech therapist will teach you how to breathe differently, which can relax the muscles in your throat. Sounds crazy, but it works! <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Kitty completed that and seemed to be doing better. But I it looks as though she has forgotten what the therapist taught her and is back to breathing the old way.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">New Asthma Doc said she could refer Kitty to a ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat specialist). She said they would put a scope and camera down Kitty's throat to see if her vocal cords were closing when they should open</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Kitty looked at me like "not a chance!" </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Another way to tell if it's VCD <br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I remembered our first Asthma Doc taught me a little trick for seeing VCD on a spirometry graph. The computer will print out a graph that show what your lungs look like. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The bottom of the graph (B) will show what it looks like when you INHALE. It </span><span style="font-family: arial;">should have a round curve (like the bottom of an egg.) </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjnowrG7dDW-d1Ou2YhEnYldvPYSFjjFrB_0rkoh478DhNFsAUfRqhVQuGmAgv6mz8VNd9XWYiNRpEp3DDwtjac43OpefFwAtKYodR1Hdg8ZTuk6wDJQqYmfDgnnihlraW85gSvk21FCt5iJGunvm301SSp1DtBT_2M7SpP-rv2o-Zze_nfIE2nOw8rp1/s430/Normal-flow-volume-loop.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjnowrG7dDW-d1Ou2YhEnYldvPYSFjjFrB_0rkoh478DhNFsAUfRqhVQuGmAgv6mz8VNd9XWYiNRpEp3DDwtjac43OpefFwAtKYodR1Hdg8ZTuk6wDJQqYmfDgnnihlraW85gSvk21FCt5iJGunvm301SSp1DtBT_2M7SpP-rv2o-Zze_nfIE2nOw8rp1/s320/Normal-flow-volume-loop.png" width="233" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">P</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">hoto from: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Normal-flow-volume-loop_fig1_228664846</span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When you have VCD, the inhalation loop will look uneven because your vocal cords are closing when you inhale (instead of opening). <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It will look like this:<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufR8NoTR2FMv4gZO0qEAIzc3txKKSt_4ipc-tB0Hpqbcfz4i-megylENcQr_Wx3y3zf9UIZzZn20C91Dy_hjy8FD6hFhU9XNQ1GMigpMehGJLJhAMSXc0GK_b-qmfaN0E0fL40JMdq2ewKhcsxrY89103rLR2LX8tXm2v97gMqBvk5Dc7wgqma_wdU-d-/s407/VCD_FVL.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="354" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufR8NoTR2FMv4gZO0qEAIzc3txKKSt_4ipc-tB0Hpqbcfz4i-megylENcQr_Wx3y3zf9UIZzZn20C91Dy_hjy8FD6hFhU9XNQ1GMigpMehGJLJhAMSXc0GK_b-qmfaN0E0fL40JMdq2ewKhcsxrY89103rLR2LX8tXm2v97gMqBvk5Dc7wgqma_wdU-d-/s320/VCD_FVL.png" width="278" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> </span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo from: https://www.pftforum.com/blog/vocal-cord-dysfunction/ <br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You can see the bottom dotted line that shows what it <b>should</b> look like when you inhale. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The solid irregular line above is what it looks like if you have VCD. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If your Dr. suggests you see an ENT for a scope with a camera, and you have a gag reflex, this can be another option to see if you have VCD. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I hope this helps explain the difference between VCD and asthma. And explains how it can be treated. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Good luck and happy breathing! <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>My Life as an Asthma Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13702075700890289018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7856422208388515286.post-72386896033822398702023-12-20T10:43:00.000-08:002023-12-20T10:43:54.985-08:00Coupons for inhalers? <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW6mN-sGi5fQ16MDyOgrtiqTS7FITPfQrH0Y8STAcECfU678htneY4z-T8Sq8vQ289cMQKC-U6wTPqKtlQeo2o7NNsx8awz209cHJe2MURH6-9MyMrEu9TLcNEGw-gUm6CoorH_vtqIRJsT91R05ZH71VjLPI9a4_rYG_iTOZnxhvmoaNMxlYV1gvh5frU/s1080/Coupons.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW6mN-sGi5fQ16MDyOgrtiqTS7FITPfQrH0Y8STAcECfU678htneY4z-T8Sq8vQ289cMQKC-U6wTPqKtlQeo2o7NNsx8awz209cHJe2MURH6-9MyMrEu9TLcNEGw-gUm6CoorH_vtqIRJsT91R05ZH71VjLPI9a4_rYG_iTOZnxhvmoaNMxlYV1gvh5frU/s320/Coupons.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I hate going to the pharmacy and having them say, "Your total is going to be $350 - is that okay?" </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">NO, it's not okay!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This happened to me last week. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I know that means they haven't entered the coupon code for my inhalers. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When Asthma Doc sends this year's prescriptions to the pharmacy, she will enter a coupon code. However, she told me that my chain pharmacy has been instructed to NOT enter coupon codes. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Not sure why they refuse to process the coupon code, but I will be switching to a local pharmacy now. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Coupons for inhalers<br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Many people don't know that the companies that make inhalers will often have coupons for their inhaler. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If people don't know they are overpaying, they might just swipe their card, grab their prescription, and then leave for their next errand. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I refuse to do so, because there's no reason to pay full price when the pharmacy won't enter the coupon. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Before I go to the pharmacy, I will search the name of my inhaler + coupon. Once I find the right place on the website, I'll enter my information, and sign up for this year's coupon. I save the screenshot on my phone so the pharmacy can enter the coupon code.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I do this once a year when I renew my prescriptions. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Why go to all that hassle? <br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Instead of paying $120 for my Dulera inhaler, I pay $20.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Instead of paying $124 for my Spiriva, I pay $20. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>That's a $200 savings on two inhalers. </i> <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Does this take time? Yes</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Does this hold up the line at the pharmacy? Also yes.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It embarrasses me that I cause the line to back up, but if the pharmacy won't process the coupon code from Asthma Doc, I'll have no choice but to ask them to use the coupon saved on my phone. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I see no reason to pay $120 for an inhaler, when I only need to pay $20 with a coupon.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> If I get a new controller inhaler every month, and I save $100 every month with the coupon, that adds up to $1200 per year!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> That's worth standing in line! Even if the line does back up.</span> <br /></p>My Life as an Asthma Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13702075700890289018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7856422208388515286.post-47894032071095154942023-12-14T12:30:00.000-08:002023-12-14T12:30:46.442-08:00New Airsupra inhaler! <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_K0E1w0GJdrW9V0OQr5DiytRn7avuZt1Cjm0ULZ0yj8FInk3fluuq_rCUZQEsj68EdWMLVm-5Qrq1PLIu0VauRcWC9_4CCFLO5TDJUxcs25XNm4zTw0_0SV-3j2tcWJTn1VggUWRGmUEdzlMgWtf69Y62YnGM2TyssnLAfUFgp_m6ZE-lBgUOu5tUE45j/s1080/New%20inhaler.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_K0E1w0GJdrW9V0OQr5DiytRn7avuZt1Cjm0ULZ0yj8FInk3fluuq_rCUZQEsj68EdWMLVm-5Qrq1PLIu0VauRcWC9_4CCFLO5TDJUxcs25XNm4zTw0_0SV-3j2tcWJTn1VggUWRGmUEdzlMgWtf69Y62YnGM2TyssnLAfUFgp_m6ZE-lBgUOu5tUE45j/s320/New%20inhaler.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Many people have been waiting for <i>years</i> for this new Albuterol inhaler! </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What makes this inhaler such a big deal?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This new inhaler has TWO medicines in it:</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1. <b>Albuterol</b>- this medicine helps relax the smooth muscle bands that wrap around the outside of the small airways in the lungs <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2. <b>Budesonide</b> - this medicine is a corticosteroid (works like an anti-inflammatory) to reduce the swelling in the lungs</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The reason this is important is that most people rely on an Albuterol inhaler when they have an asthma attack, but it's only a Bandaid approach (because it doesn't help the swelling in the lungs)<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>If you are still confused <br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Here's a low cost visual aid I use for patients <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvqqV4gl3x7Zte0wxYpN7bJUCOejd_xH-cMyvyAU2z1ZujfDml9PR3a3eIwJrYGQkG2pqE7Y2fd7MDVIMMOF9s_QNXZfZnhRyiyCjn029yFvBjjwytnLVo18yCnZpk1q9n3RU4y5bblrn1IG2gVV25aYD8rIduYQgByqUe6HkLZNrjRC3fh6rVGK_xja-/s539/Pool%20noodle%20logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="529" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvqqV4gl3x7Zte0wxYpN7bJUCOejd_xH-cMyvyAU2z1ZujfDml9PR3a3eIwJrYGQkG2pqE7Y2fd7MDVIMMOF9s_QNXZfZnhRyiyCjn029yFvBjjwytnLVo18yCnZpk1q9n3RU4y5bblrn1IG2gVV25aYD8rIduYQgByqUe6HkLZNrjRC3fh6rVGK_xja-/s320/Pool%20noodle%20logo.png" width="314" /></a></div><b>Normal Airways <br /></b><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The left side of the photo is a paper towel tube, wrapped in pink craft paper. It shows what it is like to breathe when our airways are open - there is a LOT of room to breathe through that tube! </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Notice the rubber bands around the outside? Those show what the smooth muscles look like. When our lungs are happy, they just support the airway. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Airways with asthma <br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The right side of the photo shows what it's like to try to breathe through a pool noodle. See how thick the sides of the pool noodle are? That what happens to our lungs when they swell. They swell from the inside, making the opening of the airway narrow. The narrow airway then swells with mucus (shown by the plastic wrap) </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Notice the rubber bands around the outside? That's shows how the smooth muscle bands shorten and tighten when you have an asthma attack or are sick.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When we use Albuterol, it relaxes the smooth muscle bands </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But Albuterol won't fix the swelling inside the airways (like the pool noodle) <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Airsupra <br /></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Using this new inhaler will help two things at once. Relax the smooth muscles around the outside of the airway. Then reduce the swelling inside the airways. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Win win!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ask your Dr if it's right for you!<br /></span></p><p><br /></p>My Life as an Asthma Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13702075700890289018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7856422208388515286.post-49894583696759437262023-11-30T17:07:00.000-08:002023-11-30T17:07:27.523-08:00Partial lung collapse (surgery complication)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_8tpNDV4zm-UgC3v3rZg40Gb16SjWRg-cEbD8elv28MHBYhP3qWt-uvPxa6D8RCncEEqq9Har4Nx8aHjcNXc8d_MiScucT7gOzdsMq7qR9Xq-dw7AoJ800e41VGy_JL9EvOqHviUJDSKS2lo4a8ZBEIZBKAR2Bas9zy0swMpw4QZp40JRJHuW60ZTmd2/s1080/collapsed%20lung.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_8tpNDV4zm-UgC3v3rZg40Gb16SjWRg-cEbD8elv28MHBYhP3qWt-uvPxa6D8RCncEEqq9Har4Nx8aHjcNXc8d_MiScucT7gOzdsMq7qR9Xq-dw7AoJ800e41VGy_JL9EvOqHviUJDSKS2lo4a8ZBEIZBKAR2Bas9zy0swMpw4QZp40JRJHuW60ZTmd2/s320/collapsed%20lung.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;">Last month, Daughter had emergency surgery. We were in the ER when the ER Doc said there was a specialist in the hospital and he could page him for a consultation. <br /></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Specialist said my daughter's condition would need emergency surgery, and Daughter agreed. Even though it was late at night, they were able to page surgery staff so the surgeon could operate on my daughter. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The Hubby barely had time to make it to the hospital and wish Daughter luck before the staff whisked her away for surgery. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Afterwards, I stayed with her in her hospital room, and the nurse gave Daughter an incentive spirometer. She told Kitty to use it once an hour to prevent any complications with her lungs.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> This is one type of spirometer: <br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyfHUP1zcwrAz0NB5naJkVG8KXJgvXzqfjRbRv2Wr3M8NgusChHpXJkFTG-3DWJ0xRsv1ygTsGdU_zNVULlXGM-97gXaNCZ-x555ZYBj3AX3qCVuDMM13BKGIUM2oO-9JslU_2EA1Qs4OKEDA8FY5SiAmQt4OQeX1GZ-H4xRYyze1iamsxyIb8UIYYaUg/s1080/spitometer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyfHUP1zcwrAz0NB5naJkVG8KXJgvXzqfjRbRv2Wr3M8NgusChHpXJkFTG-3DWJ0xRsv1ygTsGdU_zNVULlXGM-97gXaNCZ-x555ZYBj3AX3qCVuDMM13BKGIUM2oO-9JslU_2EA1Qs4OKEDA8FY5SiAmQt4OQeX1GZ-H4xRYyze1iamsxyIb8UIYYaUg/s320/spitometer.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Nurse told her to use the mouthpiece and slowly inhale to get the colored balls to hover. Nurse told her to repeat that several times, and it will help to keep her lungs open. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Due to Daughter's pain level, she couldn't use it every hour, and her lungs were really cranky. In fact, she started to have a partial lung collapse (atelectasis.) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">It's not uncommon for that to happen. Mayo Clinic says: </span></p><p><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></i></span></p><p><i style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"></span></i></p><blockquote><p><i style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">"Atelectasis (at-uh-LEK-tuh-sis) is the collapse of a lung or part of a
lung, also known as a lobe. It happens when tiny air sacs within the
lung, called alveoli, lose air.</span></i></p><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">
Atelectasis is one of the most common breathing complications after surgery" </span></i></span></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The Medical staff urged Daughter to keep using her spirometer - EVERY hour. And to keep taking her controller inhaler as well as use her albuterol reliever inhaler if she was still having problems.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">It took a little while, but she slowly improved and felt much better. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Have you ever had a partial lung collapse? If so, how did they treat it and did it work? </span><br /></p><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"></span></i></span><p></p>My Life as an Asthma Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13702075700890289018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7856422208388515286.post-44967978333811060512023-11-17T17:12:00.000-08:002023-11-17T17:12:19.399-08:00How do hormones impact asthma? <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJ92Tvv0R0pmoPuIYiEgbn4lwBra2hgadAQfFh6dNGzXZHQ5KwySa17yNeR6oX-EcqeQV2aObm3gjuK9-FZVRjGRfM-FJk5ia9DN-MyJDXpF7I1LxeeZFmwmfoGTzLc12bv1Ejo53IkYsGMOMOCnAc9vr0Liy3Y43C8N3VLc0JEGtHHNnFL6jjdwbzyeL/s1080/Hormons%20and%20asthma%20.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJ92Tvv0R0pmoPuIYiEgbn4lwBra2hgadAQfFh6dNGzXZHQ5KwySa17yNeR6oX-EcqeQV2aObm3gjuK9-FZVRjGRfM-FJk5ia9DN-MyJDXpF7I1LxeeZFmwmfoGTzLc12bv1Ejo53IkYsGMOMOCnAc9vr0Liy3Y43C8N3VLc0JEGtHHNnFL6jjdwbzyeL/s320/Hormons%20and%20asthma%20.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Asthma is a tricky disease. It changes over time, especially as age and hormones change. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When boys are younger, they are more likely to end up at the doctor's office, ER, or even be hospitalized thanks to asthma. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Once puberty hits, rates switch to women having higher rates of doctor visits, ER visits, and being hospitalized for asthma. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1/3 of women will also have asthma flares just before their period. Which is concerning that some women can plan on having an asthma flare once a month...<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Women seem to get the short end of the stick when it comes to asthma.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-sex-hormones-can-help-or-hurt-your-asthma/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cleveland Clinic </a>says:</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">“Women are hospitalized twice as frequently as men for asthma and their mortality is twice as high,"</span></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial;">It's a sobering thought to know that women are twice as likely to die from asthma as men. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <b>What researchers are finding</b></span><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Researchers report that women with endometriosis have higher rates of asthma - due to an imbalance of estrogen</span>. <span style="font-family: arial;">A study reviewed records from almost 3 million women. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">They found that 23.8% of women with endometriosis had asthma, versus 13.2% of women without endometriosis. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Doctors often ask patients if they are having asthma flares from dust, mold, pets, smokers, etc. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">But how often doctors consider if hormones are triggering an asthma flare? <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">If you are a woman having a hard time controlling your asthma, it may help your doctor treat you if you keep track of when you are having symptoms (like having a flare every month right before your cycle.) <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">You can also consider letting your doctor know if you have endometriosis. And ask your doctor if that is impacting your asthma.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> Researchers can see the connection with hormones and asthma but aren't sure about how it works. One theory researchers are studying is if hormones impact how effective the hair-like cilia is able to clear mucus from the airways. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">If you want to read more about hormones and asthma, <a href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-sex-hormones-can-help-or-hurt-your-asthma/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cleveland Clinic</a> also discusses how birth control and menopause also impact asthma. </span><br /></p><p></p>My Life as an Asthma Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13702075700890289018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7856422208388515286.post-54132817464653304412023-10-20T10:01:00.002-07:002023-10-20T10:01:15.322-07:00Is it anxiety or asthma?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdDpH_bzln6jD-pHMXF9XqziZ3Ky-XqUE68iO2oAroaW2ulypCyd7gzPqhBTTVHvKhm2zhgSK0qDMly1yDEdTAA8gPdzQ1vYad7QoPOLtYlvws2E7SEIxqcdVWZj67wFOio-XKaIbF6ZUfklPVbffslheEblR4Hgij8kIDwI9YSzkIyP3jPjZ9XsqSXcbI/s629/anxiety%20or%20asthma.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="624" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdDpH_bzln6jD-pHMXF9XqziZ3Ky-XqUE68iO2oAroaW2ulypCyd7gzPqhBTTVHvKhm2zhgSK0qDMly1yDEdTAA8gPdzQ1vYad7QoPOLtYlvws2E7SEIxqcdVWZj67wFOio-XKaIbF6ZUfklPVbffslheEblR4Hgij8kIDwI9YSzkIyP3jPjZ9XsqSXcbI/s320/anxiety%20or%20asthma.png" width="317" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is a common question I have been asked over the years, "I'm having a hard time breathing, how do I know if it's asthma or anxiety?" <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Anxiety and stress are known asthma triggers. If you have ever had an asthma attack, you know how it can be scary and stressful it can be. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> You can't breathe, so you have anxiety - and the anxiety can make an asthma attack worse, and.....around and around we go. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It can be like asking "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?" <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> Symptoms of <span style="color: #0b5394;">anxiety</span> from Mayo Clinic:</b></span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Breathing fast (hyperventilating)<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Increased heart rate </span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Feeling tired or weak</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Feeling tense, restless, or nervous </span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Trembling</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Trouble sleeping <br /></span></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">There are more symptoms listed on their <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">website</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Some of these CAN sound like asthma.... <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Symptoms of an <span style="color: #0b5394;">asthma attack</span> from Mayo Clinic:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Short of breath</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Wheezing when you exhale (remember: some of us don't wheeze!) <br /></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Chest pain or chest tightness </span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Coughing or wheezing that get worse when you are sick with the cold or flu <br /></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Trouble sleeping </span></li></ul><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So how do you know if it's anxiety or asthma?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.lung.org/getmedia/d23b769f-7db0-4cf6-9b2a-662a0e2c47ec/asthma_vs_panic.pdf?ext=.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">American Lung Association</a> has a great graphic that can help you decide. It says:<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote><i>"Coughing, wheezing or mucus production does not normally happen during asthma attacks but often occur during an asthma attack." </i></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzpH-FrC-IgGjjna8-uowxM8pKnHJDO0LwBBmSzoudwjfcRNBHvkZpvhWyWAsTby25tBCBBKNUdDLXtjHCdYLzG9sd8ZFfxje8cb5LmcEroIqt9uuCmWRZB5xtDR6uZEkJk5PhD189qa69RlRMOgJOt-uSHldZqwoctrb4pRuZDtAS6DiKSMkBmx_4YKO/s817/ALA.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="817" data-original-width="624" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzpH-FrC-IgGjjna8-uowxM8pKnHJDO0LwBBmSzoudwjfcRNBHvkZpvhWyWAsTby25tBCBBKNUdDLXtjHCdYLzG9sd8ZFfxje8cb5LmcEroIqt9uuCmWRZB5xtDR6uZEkJk5PhD189qa69RlRMOgJOt-uSHldZqwoctrb4pRuZDtAS6DiKSMkBmx_4YKO/s320/ALA.png" width="244" /></a></div><br /><p>There you have it! </p><p>Sometimes I can panic or have anxiety during an asthma attack. </p><p>One thing that can help me is to *try* to belly breath when I'm having an asthma attack. Especially when I'm waiting for the Albuterol to kick in. </p><p> What works for you?<br /></p><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>My Life as an Asthma Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13702075700890289018noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7856422208388515286.post-48001155552513779402023-09-22T16:26:00.000-07:002023-09-22T16:26:08.591-07:00When an adult child with asthma needs surgery <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpYb36ecbdgm8O9y1z9W7gUGDAC_DiUvh_qyoN5bjLZxxElclOfZmQ6fn6U2Y0RTdoFBD3uSnqtbKMkg4Prt0P6VZdTeFqOsXs6TE7JefIMDxmaOA4ZUNwgpKeq-mIMTyc4-_6WEN6KxuHucwpukdMPQ6NkhPIOXtvx_fngMM_4jI19UtLuFoJIOitXGz/s1080/surgery.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpYb36ecbdgm8O9y1z9W7gUGDAC_DiUvh_qyoN5bjLZxxElclOfZmQ6fn6U2Y0RTdoFBD3uSnqtbKMkg4Prt0P6VZdTeFqOsXs6TE7JefIMDxmaOA4ZUNwgpKeq-mIMTyc4-_6WEN6KxuHucwpukdMPQ6NkhPIOXtvx_fngMM_4jI19UtLuFoJIOitXGz/s320/surgery.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Life is unpredictable </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My college aged daughter was having some medical problems and was unable to drive herself to the hospital, so I took drove her there and stayed with her </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It's always amusing when moms of young kids tell me that I'm so lucky that my kids are "all grown up and they don't need me anymore" 🙄</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Most parents don't stop being a parent when their kids turn 18. Granted, there may be parents who do tell their kids that they are on their own when they finish high school....... <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But I have tried for years to keep my kids alive (literally). My three kids have had a combined total of 5 surgeries and 15 hospitalizations. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">My job was to watch over them and advocate for them. But things are different when they are over 18<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I told my daughter that I am there to help and support her. But - since she is over 18, the doctors will talk to her and she gets to make all of the medical decisions </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As we waited in the ER, I realized that I was unprepared. My phone was dying, and I didn't have a charger. I didn't have a drink or snacks in my purse and didn't dare leave the ER <i>(I knew that the minute I would leave her room, the doctor would come in. And sure enough - that's what happened when I took a trip to the bathroom).</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Specialist was finally tracked down by the ER doc, and he recommended surgery for my daughter. She readily agreed. <i><br /></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I called my husband and told him that she going to have emergency surgery, so to get to the ER fast! </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I told the anesthesiologist that my daughter has severe asthma, so please watch her oxygen level. Daughter asked if she had to stay in the hospital by herself, and I told her that I would be there waiting for her after surgery and I could stay overnight if she wanted me to </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">She did. </span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Even though she was an adult, she still needed her mom. sniff sniff. </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">They were anxious to get her into surgery and left us standing in the hall<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>What did I used to do when my kids had an unexpected hospitalization?</b> <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I glanced down at my clothes and decided I could sleep in those, but would need my medications. My son brought my maintenance inhaler and medications and toothbrush and toothpaste </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Surgery went well, and I was by her side the entire time. We both had a fun time NOT sleeping in the hospital (I forgot how loud it can be in there with beeping machines and staff making rounds.) </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">She is home now and the recovery has been slow and painful for her, but she is making progress.<br /></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Have you had a child in the hospital? Did they still need you? If so, how did you help?</span><br /></div><div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><br /></p></div>My Life as an Asthma Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13702075700890289018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7856422208388515286.post-32524974563582046022023-08-17T15:36:00.005-07:002023-08-20T16:48:08.381-07:00Most Common Asthma Inhalers Brands <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKwQi-WGsdj4tlQRxd1cTuhtHEuz2YBVvq1s7iqchpLHUytgXkYmMq0unqmLI4DVhaKB57DGsvY7n3376aeYQow3EytDrkTnGJrKI6j4e5jh_XgrdEyLh4e1NLQQT5CpICvqo2IgswddGf4AfCL7gerIFHFQkd0mEsgn_oC60eZPbqmGjNtttxquR7K24/s1080/Brands%20all.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKwQi-WGsdj4tlQRxd1cTuhtHEuz2YBVvq1s7iqchpLHUytgXkYmMq0unqmLI4DVhaKB57DGsvY7n3376aeYQow3EytDrkTnGJrKI6j4e5jh_XgrdEyLh4e1NLQQT5CpICvqo2IgswddGf4AfCL7gerIFHFQkd0mEsgn_oC60eZPbqmGjNtttxquR7K24/s320/Brands%20all.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> It's Back to School time and many parents are searching for "asthma inhaler brands" so they know what their child needs to have for school. </p><p style="text-align: center;">As a nationally <a href="https://www.nbrc.org/examinations/certified-asthma-educator-ae-c/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Certified Asthma Educator</a> (AE-C) with decades of experience, this is what a specialize in - helping people learn more about asthma! </p><p style="text-align: center;">I also have asthma, and raised three kids with asthma. Asthma is the focus of my life personally and professionally. <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">The graphic at the top shows each Albuterol inhaler that is on the market, along with the brand name. </p><p style="text-align: center;">But let's take a closer look!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #f1c232;">Proventil</span></b></span><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;">The <span>brand name for the</span><span style="color: #ffa400;"><b> YELLOW</b></span> inhaler is "Proventil" (which is an Albuterol inhaler). It's an MDI (Metered Dose Inhaler), which it means it has a measured dose of Albuterol that uses a propellant. The Albuterol comes out of the inhaler at over 50 mph. So, it's important to inhale s-l-o-w-l-y to get the medicine to go down deep into the lungs. If you inhale fast, the Albuterol will land in the back of your throat, and you'll swallow it. True story. <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXsji2nIsXnp-hM8jE7XG9UaXxvTbktl0WB9xow2VnX9RY5__BN05QcPqqAL5SD5hORCrh7bz6nsmLqJuNH2MLjbz-N01kxw2tkJ1HWNOFFA-zyHzkJBLjvW_0o7nkZCFngu53Wwirr2SnzSKjojGIL5sqWf_3Q7iMb6zPGjzwv6FRIHoSjoaoBzqnCB8/s1080/Brands%20proventil.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXsji2nIsXnp-hM8jE7XG9UaXxvTbktl0WB9xow2VnX9RY5__BN05QcPqqAL5SD5hORCrh7bz6nsmLqJuNH2MLjbz-N01kxw2tkJ1HWNOFFA-zyHzkJBLjvW_0o7nkZCFngu53Wwirr2SnzSKjojGIL5sqWf_3Q7iMb6zPGjzwv6FRIHoSjoaoBzqnCB8/s320/Brands%20proventil.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWkLo2m4s3NDQby7W-p5OJC8WDoA1VKgQcvjuWYuOSwY3yLVYiIE7pFO20L3LY9RhtbX03t5QBGZrcMWfvq8uInnAs6wNtrZcjMuf2gF2sb19Hy2woGm7eBJdseJH21OdnM5Gf8sm76nm5gENj4Odc6YhLynVT89NNs7HlMrpGHGa43b6r2uxuOFbteytr/s640/Spacer%20Proventil.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="328" data-original-width="640" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWkLo2m4s3NDQby7W-p5OJC8WDoA1VKgQcvjuWYuOSwY3yLVYiIE7pFO20L3LY9RhtbX03t5QBGZrcMWfvq8uInnAs6wNtrZcjMuf2gF2sb19Hy2woGm7eBJdseJH21OdnM5Gf8sm76nm5gENj4Odc6YhLynVT89NNs7HlMrpGHGa43b6r2uxuOFbteytr/w255-h131/Spacer%20Proventil.png" width="255" /></a></div><p> </p><p> It also helps to use a spacer (or holding chamber) with the inhaler. A
spacer/holding chamber will break the medicine down into a smaller
particles, so it's easier to inhale.</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">A spacer isn't just for kids! A spacer or holding chamber can help people who uncoordinated (like me!) I can't walk and chew gum at the same time, so I use a spacer since I have bad eye - hand coordination. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">Ventolin</span> </b></p><p style="text-align: center;"> The brand name for the <span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>LIGHT BLUE </b></span>inhaler is "Ventolin" (which is another Albuterol inhaler). It's also a Metered Dose Inhaler, so remember to inhale s-l-o-w-l-y.</p><p style="text-align: center;">It also helps to use a spacer or holding chamber with Ventolin. <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyxblLSPDfxjBgTYm8b-65C_nWRibmWEWj8IH2YnWCN9MsWIQQC63cgj8cYnIjXis8ksAafwoBCOzVUA94xuJwCTaVBtJQcootssKJfBS_afT68mURVCSqDDZpp7BrDhLRTh4X3AKh4k_Vezngo42z0vfZ5AYPMw954ol1CzBDQBFfvUigsIsrMoc7-Rk/s1080/Brands%20Ventolin.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyxblLSPDfxjBgTYm8b-65C_nWRibmWEWj8IH2YnWCN9MsWIQQC63cgj8cYnIjXis8ksAafwoBCOzVUA94xuJwCTaVBtJQcootssKJfBS_afT68mURVCSqDDZpp7BrDhLRTh4X3AKh4k_Vezngo42z0vfZ5AYPMw954ol1CzBDQBFfvUigsIsrMoc7-Rk/s320/Brands%20Ventolin.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_JDoTe1Dnw5oS6XnbLOha4i5k3nEDXLfMmhBuJXQ2qheMDujVvYvkPEbpswcBwsfbViZ_eKKyM5w5TiJ4ZeKGe2XKgWpALt795uHzzuHoAEQIJ_RMFvC7Mu3G9Nnq6KhAkxa9qQNeFo9HoqU_WYMnO1fm66hw8DRObdNIFsaKHnnn0RRZMWdo2NOcaUe/s640/Spacer%20Ventolin.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="640" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_JDoTe1Dnw5oS6XnbLOha4i5k3nEDXLfMmhBuJXQ2qheMDujVvYvkPEbpswcBwsfbViZ_eKKyM5w5TiJ4ZeKGe2XKgWpALt795uHzzuHoAEQIJ_RMFvC7Mu3G9Nnq6KhAkxa9qQNeFo9HoqU_WYMnO1fm66hw8DRObdNIFsaKHnnn0RRZMWdo2NOcaUe/w263-h144/Spacer%20Ventolin.png" width="263" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">ProAir </span></b></span><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">The<span style="color: #666666;"> </span><span>brand</span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span><span>name for the </span><span style="color: #666666;"><b>WHITE</b></span> inhaler with the<b><span style="color: red;"> </span><span style="color: #990000;">RED</span></b> cap is "ProAir" (another Albuterol inhaler). </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>But</b> - did you notice that it looks bigger and chunkier than Proventil and Ventolin? ProAir is a dry powder inhaler (so there is no propellant.) It needs to be inhaled FAST!</p><p style="text-align: center;">A dry powder inhaler does NOT need a spacer - I know, I know....it's confusing. That's why I'm here to help! <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2Hcnc48beQ0CL5zeqOCAhmB1zgDpmz0DPq08DS3_icVk0xANEtbXMlhN4gJRk6RGmUfx2_600ARRhS_TqSpG6QfhkRcLHUAe_EJdN7Jir4Cggh3O4xCtQUsFwVxpB0ok2jGct-6EWGXqpGYEeMzdD7rpgOSBHyGVuoSmK_Pbb2C1Daubfx8Ihk_gDHRT/s1080/Brands%20ProAir.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2Hcnc48beQ0CL5zeqOCAhmB1zgDpmz0DPq08DS3_icVk0xANEtbXMlhN4gJRk6RGmUfx2_600ARRhS_TqSpG6QfhkRcLHUAe_EJdN7Jir4Cggh3O4xCtQUsFwVxpB0ok2jGct-6EWGXqpGYEeMzdD7rpgOSBHyGVuoSmK_Pbb2C1Daubfx8Ihk_gDHRT/s320/Brands%20ProAir.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Generic Albuterol Inhaler</span></b><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">The <b><span style="color: #073763;">DARK BLUE</span></b> inhaler is a generic Albuterol inhaler for Proventil or Ventolin. It's a little confusing because the generic version can be a different color. This inhaler is dark blue. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTl4Jf_CMf3GWkXIaqsU38K-zD6L1sgXr8f0OM2GVzYakkPOJxETFdXUkXkGEc_P4o7IxAnKfo8Rny6p3OBwnNZBVRlOTFVLwDyDIU_UKOyrq-5KWtAVFftrWveh7-EAt3Z9hH5dqGSrq2elJxdoDfkdOYPxqHzvw_ECWyUxBZGSW4pUqDltm6BzeV9xFJ/s1080/Brands%20generic.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTl4Jf_CMf3GWkXIaqsU38K-zD6L1sgXr8f0OM2GVzYakkPOJxETFdXUkXkGEc_P4o7IxAnKfo8Rny6p3OBwnNZBVRlOTFVLwDyDIU_UKOyrq-5KWtAVFftrWveh7-EAt3Z9hH5dqGSrq2elJxdoDfkdOYPxqHzvw_ECWyUxBZGSW4pUqDltm6BzeV9xFJ/s320/Brands%20generic.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpdBwsPAxfEEuY_QFNzSvrVnEYnFSPyucIW3_1zWgHQQxgHTDVsvBmdMRopTYvsiKpv4ZR7Vh7quEAP9j1Jn9zKMiUHXvbwQ2aio6GgbxXoHCx65BzeQChW-CuhWeiwS6z6clpPF0OjCPU7X011aBLv1lOj8ySPj90Tb9uO3bofwyA-tWjCEdoMzFV3DF/s640/Spacer%20Generic%20.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="640" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpdBwsPAxfEEuY_QFNzSvrVnEYnFSPyucIW3_1zWgHQQxgHTDVsvBmdMRopTYvsiKpv4ZR7Vh7quEAP9j1Jn9zKMiUHXvbwQ2aio6GgbxXoHCx65BzeQChW-CuhWeiwS6z6clpPF0OjCPU7X011aBLv1lOj8ySPj90Tb9uO3bofwyA-tWjCEdoMzFV3DF/w260-h129/Spacer%20Generic%20.png" width="260" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;">These are the most common Albuterol inhalers your child will need to have for their school backpack. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Feel free to download these graphics to your phone so they're handy when you talk to your doctor. When he or she prescribes an Albuterol inhaler, you'll know the name, color and how to use it! <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <br /></p><p><br /></p>My Life as an Asthma Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13702075700890289018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7856422208388515286.post-78365546091182450212023-07-23T12:29:00.002-07:002023-07-23T12:29:19.454-07:00New RSV Vaccine for Adults and Newborn Babies <p> </p><p> </p><p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHh4Ma1O9hGL0KXMEm-5r32PoN5SuBoQY7hBgPdvH_kuki9zdR7GIQsvnYqH0OEXVvhWm9MYyV2DEKfkJaS3-WtqjQNHl5KljbTvae92LSJaHZrJkoUYF1mmcaFrswEjDiu4VFkfKdNAXX31l2FHL9muA98cUpdVXMXn9TyTCA1IE_2HVJel6u8cEJFub/s1080/RSV%20vax%20.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHh4Ma1O9hGL0KXMEm-5r32PoN5SuBoQY7hBgPdvH_kuki9zdR7GIQsvnYqH0OEXVvhWm9MYyV2DEKfkJaS3-WtqjQNHl5KljbTvae92LSJaHZrJkoUYF1mmcaFrswEjDiu4VFkfKdNAXX31l2FHL9muA98cUpdVXMXn9TyTCA1IE_2HVJel6u8cEJFub/s320/RSV%20vax%20.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;">Many people hear of RSV and think "Meh - it's just a cold."</p><p style="text-align: center;">For babies with RSV, it can mean 1 out of 2 babies will end up in the hospital. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Could that happen to your baby? </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/20/health/rsv-vaccine-prevention-newborn-babies-wellness/index.html" target="_blank">CNN </a>Medical Analyst Dr. Leana Wen is an ER doctor, professor in Public Health, and former health commissioner. She is also mother to two young children. She says: <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><blockquote><i><span style="color: #369a9a; font-size: large;">"In the US, around 58,000 to 80,000 children younger than 5 years old are
hospitalized because of RSV. Newborns and young babies are especially
susceptible. For babies younger than 6 months of age, the rate of
hospitalization is as high as 1 to 2 out of every 100 kids infected with
RSV." </span></i></blockquote>Having a baby in the hospital with breathing problems is no fun. I should know, my kids were in the hospital 12 times (2 ICU's) when they were younger. <br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">RSV doesn't just affect babies - adults can also end up in the hospital with RSV. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Did You Know That: </b><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">159,000 adults will end up with RSV</p><p style="text-align: center;">10,000 - 13,00 will die <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">This stat surprised me because 4,145 people die from asthma every year. But you are three times more likely to die of RSV. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Who knew?</p><p style="text-align: center;">The adult vaccine has already been approved for those 60 and older. It could be available by the end of July. </p><p style="text-align: center;">The RSV vaccine for babies has been approved by the FDA, but will still need to wait for the CDC to issue recommendations before it is available. Will the CDC want all babies to get the shot? Or just preemies and those with heart and lung issues? <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Speaking of lung issues - older kids can also end up in the hospital with RSV. My son was 5 (yes, five) when he ended in the hospital for a WEEK thanks to RSV.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Remember that school will be starting soon, and the kids will all start sharing germs. One of those could be RSV </p><p style="text-align: center;">You know the drill - wash your hands, stay away from sick people, and consider protecting your child and yourself by wearing a mask. <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> You can read more details about the RSV vaccines in the <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/20/health/rsv-vaccine-prevention-newborn-babies-wellness/index.html" target="_blank">CNN article</a>. </p><div style="text-align: center;">Fingers crossed for a hospital free fall and winter. <br /></div><div><p style="text-align: center;"> <br /></p></div>My Life as an Asthma Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13702075700890289018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7856422208388515286.post-37398891120980448992023-07-07T11:47:00.002-07:002023-07-07T11:47:35.522-07:00Know How to Use Your Nebulizer - Before You Need It!<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: small;"> A friend just sent a photo of her daughter using a nebulizer and asked if it was connected correctly. </span></span><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCfcFCks5lQ6hJlcZav-KYNB-PxEa08hsNvDmT5AaP0Ca-g2GKSX_ecmvkkPwX2v2tHp0MzuUKowppaz3mmmjQfP1hcJ5l2TYm8mxxlQokdxC7kzfbchqUYcUmexENs8re6XxSc9Iw8XfCnJQXor5i8E4EdJFyCvrBUqSNtda0y65R7ur7xIt_dwmshAN/s474/6154e68da84729b92dc26259f7cf8e51-2392685652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="474" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCfcFCks5lQ6hJlcZav-KYNB-PxEa08hsNvDmT5AaP0Ca-g2GKSX_ecmvkkPwX2v2tHp0MzuUKowppaz3mmmjQfP1hcJ5l2TYm8mxxlQokdxC7kzfbchqUYcUmexENs8re6XxSc9Iw8XfCnJQXor5i8E4EdJFyCvrBUqSNtda0y65R7ur7xIt_dwmshAN/s320/6154e68da84729b92dc26259f7cf8e51-2392685652.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: small;">Friend knows I'm a Certified Asthma Educator and have been helping other families with asthma for 23 years. </span></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Narrator: Friend did not have the nebulizer pieces connected right. In fact, it looked like a highway interchange similar to a spaghetti bowl. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">How do you answer someone who is asking of help and they have made a mistake? </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial;">Be Kind</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You can respond to any situation by being kind or tactless. I prefer to be kind. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial;">Gently Correct </b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When people show me how they use a inhaler or nebulizer (also called a compressor unit), I ask them to watch me while I show them the correct technique. Then I ask them if they would do anything differently now that they have seen the proper technique. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If they don't spot the error - I tell them that they are reallllly close - but it would help if they change xyz" </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I tell them that they will actually get more medicine out of their inhaler or nebulizer if "they just make a couple of small changes"</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b> <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Read the room </span></b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Friend's child was just diagnosed with asthma and sent home with an adorable penguin shaped nebulizer. This was not the time for me to teach my friend. This was the time to just correct the technique so the little girl could get her breathing treatment. </span><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: arial;">Assure them </b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Assure the person that they are doing a good job! Asthma is confusing. It's hard to remember the name of inhalers, type of delivery (metered dose inhaler, dry powder inhaler or soft mist), and trying to figure out how to use a nebulizer. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Friend said that reading the instructions for the nebulizer was like trying to put an airplane together - while she had a scared little girl who couldn't breathe. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Practice, Practice, Practice</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> When my kids were first diagnosed with asthma (decades ago), I was scared of using a nebulizer. I knew this was going to be part of our lives going forward, so I better get comfortable with it. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">So, I washed my hands, pulled out the compressor unit, tubing, and various pieces of the nebulizer, and practiced putting it together. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I did that over and over again until I felt comfortable. Then I taught my husband and kids how to do it, so it just became second nature. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My kids are grown now, but we can all quickly assemble the nebulizer pieces and - even in the middle of the night - and give ourselves a breathing treatment. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> The last thing you want to do during an asthma attack is try to read instructions for the nebulizer. Practice ahead of time so it will be easier to deal with a stressful situation!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><br /></p>My Life as an Asthma Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13702075700890289018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7856422208388515286.post-83226523257680494442023-06-07T20:56:00.002-07:002023-06-07T20:56:26.827-07:00What's With These Chipmunk Cheeks?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2Xx9BUn02FcoNkxZOgL8RJUEaTQs-mpbWfHY-TwkTFkNC7As1PuuANiLiHmu96eouM6FQ-ixchpIHVZv8bCYGb5-ma3ygAW4e94b9_PXOLnohnGRuZTUYz7TPFtd0j-s8apJWDFWYSa6w3Jxj7SqjnwY9DkfbUruwAfc7dUJ8gLKRAkZlrLu8ynInA/s1080/Cheeks%20.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2Xx9BUn02FcoNkxZOgL8RJUEaTQs-mpbWfHY-TwkTFkNC7As1PuuANiLiHmu96eouM6FQ-ixchpIHVZv8bCYGb5-ma3ygAW4e94b9_PXOLnohnGRuZTUYz7TPFtd0j-s8apJWDFWYSa6w3Jxj7SqjnwY9DkfbUruwAfc7dUJ8gLKRAkZlrLu8ynInA/s320/Cheeks%20.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">I was putting on my makeup one morning and noticed my cheeks looked puffy - like a chipmunk storing it's nuts. </p><p style="text-align: center;">What the......?!<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> Was the lighting bad?</p><p style="text-align: center;">Did I sleep on one side too long? </p><p style="text-align: center;">I went through work all day, and just tried to adjust the lighting on Zoom calls so my face wasn't as visible. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Finally it dawned on me....I was on a new treatment plan using high doses every day.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>New treatment plan</b> <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Round Two with COVID was in February, and Allergy & Asthma Doc wanted to try something new. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Those of us with severe asthma often need prednisone when we get sick. We have a habit of getting REALLY sick. I mean - Go Big or Go Home! </p><p style="text-align: center;">This time, she wanted me to add another controller inhaler to my regular, daily controller. </p><p style="text-align: center;">I take 2 puffs (morning and night) or my regular controller inhaler. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Then, she wanted me to add ANOTHER corticosteroid controller inhaler on top of that. 4 puffs morning and night. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Yep - a combined total of 6 puffs of controller inhalers in the morning and 6 puffs at night. </p><p style="text-align: center;">And......that's why my face is swollen. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>The trade off </b></p><p style="text-align: center;">It worked as planned - it helped keep the swelling down in my lungs and I didn't need prednisone. And I didn't end up in the ER or hospitalized. <b> </b></p><p style="text-align: center;">My lungs are cranky little jerks. And they like to act up. So it kept my lungs in line.<b></b></p><p style="text-align: center;">The down side was it made my face swell. But - it was only temporary.<b> </b></p><p style="text-align: center;">I'm back to normal! (Or as normal as I can be.)<b><br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;">Has anyone else experienced this?<br /></p>My Life as an Asthma Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13702075700890289018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7856422208388515286.post-28673889597463508182023-05-30T13:20:00.004-07:002023-06-07T20:14:00.737-07:00Is the Farm Theory Still Accurate?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADpV_6n7mqyd6VM7yeLQgAulF1yf9xIk2bQ5UMirAtYRV8RxLAwZwwbOYxNVbACv27nUGtIqq-GlsAP4QldBuhBomj3Tn384TRSSRZEqbs3Vx_TQk7OvQMZXquirPDkE47Zd_Z0b1aafteyXGETZebkm2ezz7Cs71SwDSWvDbqpa6OVaDFDPOExm2eQ/s1080/Farm.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADpV_6n7mqyd6VM7yeLQgAulF1yf9xIk2bQ5UMirAtYRV8RxLAwZwwbOYxNVbACv27nUGtIqq-GlsAP4QldBuhBomj3Tn384TRSSRZEqbs3Vx_TQk7OvQMZXquirPDkE47Zd_Z0b1aafteyXGETZebkm2ezz7Cs71SwDSWvDbqpa6OVaDFDPOExm2eQ/s320/Farm.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I'm old, so my car radio is set to NPR. As I am driving to the Allergist's office, I am listening to NPR's "Fresh Air" with Terry Goss. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Today he is interviewing Theresa MacPhail (a Medical Anthropologist), who wrote a book titled, "<i>Allergic: Our Irritated Bodies in a Changing World"</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">Well, that's ironic, isn't it? I'm listening to an interview about allergies as I am driving to my Allergist's Office....... <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">As I was driving, Theresa MacPhail was talking about the "Farm Theory" (also called the Hygiene Hypothesis). Have you ever heard of that? <i><br /></i></p><p style="text-align: center;">The theory is that kids are less likely to develop allergies and asthma if they grow up in rural areas, around animals, and in big families. <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Why?</p><p style="text-align: center;">The idea behind this is that when kids are young, they are exposed to lots of germs and infections from older siblings, farm animals and pets, and that helps them build up their immune system. </p><p style="text-align: center;">How?</p><p style="text-align: center;">The constant exposure to bacteria, viruses, and parasites teaches the body to tell the difference between things that will hurt the body, and things that won't. <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Well, I can tell you that it didn't work for me. I lived in a small town, but I am the youngest and was exposed to lots of germs from my older brothers. </p><p style="text-align: center;">I also had bunnies, a duck, a frog, and many cats and dogs over the years. And I grew up in the 70's - before video games and TV shows kept us indoors. I rode my bike all around the neighborhood and played in the nearby fields, dug in the dirt, etc </p><p style="text-align: center;">And....I have LOTS of allergies, and severe asthma. </p><p style="text-align: center;">I also have an elderly neighbor who grew up on a farm, and she has a load of allergies and asthma. She can remember shoveling hay back in the 1940's and 1950's and wheezing and sneezing. </p><p style="text-align: center;"> The Farm Theory or Hygiene Hypothesis didn't work for anyone in my family, as all of my siblings have allergies and asthma. And it didn't work for my elderly neighbor either. </p><p style="text-align: center;">That's what Theresa MacPhail found in her research too. So I guess it's not just me. <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Did anyone else grow up around animals, farms, and in big families? </p><p style="text-align: center;">How are your allergies and asthma now? <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i> </i> </p>My Life as an Asthma Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13702075700890289018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7856422208388515286.post-9513323088028911092023-04-30T10:02:00.002-07:002023-04-30T10:02:17.444-07:00May is Asthma & Allergy Awareness Month! <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSU2yS1xx2bgcQTmlEV-0roaot9dQ-JB9F864Sfy6xsVyqyGOH887I0jZNvgb3wR2rVio0vofE54Z2i7eEgr0ImenLyzwTviTshVF80akEKXzOAUO2sdtQX4jBS8kulf1nSnr0DW7mOZFcu2d6j207ZikjeBJ-fN5lQrgPy8wrg7-PJnTGp23DvsvjLw/s1080/2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSU2yS1xx2bgcQTmlEV-0roaot9dQ-JB9F864Sfy6xsVyqyGOH887I0jZNvgb3wR2rVio0vofE54Z2i7eEgr0ImenLyzwTviTshVF80akEKXzOAUO2sdtQX4jBS8kulf1nSnr0DW7mOZFcu2d6j207ZikjeBJ-fN5lQrgPy8wrg7-PJnTGp23DvsvjLw/s320/2.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">There are a LOT of awareness month, but this one is the most important to me. </p><p style="text-align: center;">It literally changed my life, and the life of my 3 kids.</p><p style="text-align: center;">23 years ago, our lives were forever changed when my middle son ended up in the hospital, and the respiratory therapist told us that he has asthma. </p><p style="text-align: center;">What??!!</p><p style="text-align: center;">But I asked my pediatrician if Son #2 has asthma, and he said no. He said it was "just a virus". The respiratory therapist said, "It's asthma alright - that's why he's being admitted to the hospital.."</p><p style="text-align: center;">And life took a left when I had planned to go right. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Eventually, all 3 kids (and I) were diagnosed with asthma. </p><p style="text-align: center;">We are a family of 5. All 5 have allergies (year-round), 4 have asthma, and 2 of us have food allergies. <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I went back to college to get another degree, then changed professions to work full time as a Health Educator and Certified Asthma Educator.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I now work for a national non profit and provide allergy & asthma education to people across the U.S. </p><p style="text-align: center;">What have the last 23 years been like? Well, it's been a roller coaster ride. My kids had 12 hospitalizations (and 2 ICU's.) My kids and I all have had countless trips to the Urgent Care and the ER. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Sadly, 3 of us have severe asthma that can be VERY tricky to treat. It wasn't until the first biologic came on the market (back in the early 2000's) that my son's severe asthma was able to be stabilized. </p><p style="text-align: center;">We have learned so much over the years and I would definitely do certain things over again. </p><p style="text-align: center;">So I try to share our family's experiences with the hopes that it will help another family.</p><p style="text-align: center;">How has your life been changed by asthma and allergies? <br /></p>My Life as an Asthma Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13702075700890289018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7856422208388515286.post-78562236284896267302023-03-26T10:41:00.000-07:002023-03-26T10:41:03.619-07:00Still Worried About Getting Sick <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdS3VFnDDKd4poeeXqiW5r8OZnnq0E3n1gsRTWt98F7KzPVx8Fp-WuSaUGKBiJOLH6VH10V2z7YrwTBXyyIPpkmnztCNTCiASYVhqex2SeU_RedJ_hGyD3fYtdimaV6HosR-vzE8xhbgJoaac-4Gj1G9FnMLlSL_nqXpM_S7i0Tc5coRZEZjvlZEdrOQ/s1080/Afraid%20of%20getting%20sick.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdS3VFnDDKd4poeeXqiW5r8OZnnq0E3n1gsRTWt98F7KzPVx8Fp-WuSaUGKBiJOLH6VH10V2z7YrwTBXyyIPpkmnztCNTCiASYVhqex2SeU_RedJ_hGyD3fYtdimaV6HosR-vzE8xhbgJoaac-4Gj1G9FnMLlSL_nqXpM_S7i0Tc5coRZEZjvlZEdrOQ/s320/Afraid%20of%20getting%20sick.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Now that we're in year 3 of COVID, I know most people have gone back to Life as Normal. But, I am still afraid of getting sick. </p><p>There's good reason for that!</p><p>We are a family of 5, and 4 of us have asthma. Severe asthma. When my kids were little, they were in the hospital 12 times - and 2 of those were ICU. They had the "crash cart" outside my kid's room - and I still have PTSD because of the reoccurring stress and trauma. <br /></p><p>The cause of being in the hospital so many times? Pneumonia (for most of them), and a few of the times the culprit was wildfire smoke. </p><p>Now that my kids are adults we still battle respiratory diseases. They haven't been in the hospital for 15 years - but we all still have Urgent Care and ER visits for asthma. </p><p>And we will - for the rest of our lives. Asthma doesn't go away.<br /></p><p>If pneumonia wasn't bad enough for us, along comes COVID. Both times we have had COVID, we have been very sick - and almost ended up back in the hospital. </p><p>Many of my friends and colleagues that have had COVID tell me, "Meh. It's just like a cold." Not when you have asthma. Every respiratory infection is a LOT worse when you have asthma. <br /></p><p>I was very sick for a month. I needed Albuterol breathing treatments every 4 hours (around the clock.) And heavy duty doses of oral steroids (in addition to my daily, controller high dose inhaler.)</p><p>I was coughing so hard I would gag and try not to vomit. My oxygen level still hasn't recovered from having COVID a year and a half ago. And I need overnight oxygen. When I got COVID again last month, I needed oxygen during the day too! </p><p>I also wasn't able to eat because I was afraid I was going to aspirate my food because I was coughing so hard. <br /></p><p>So, there is a good reason I am still afraid of getting sick.</p><p>Since COVID started, I haven't gone back to church, book club, or any neighborhood pot luck dinners. I will stop and chat with neighbors if they are outside, but indoor activities where there is likely to be a lot of germs makes me really nervous. So I still wear a mask - or just skip indoor baby showers or bridal showers.<br /></p><p>Am I the only one still feeling this way? For the rest of you with asthma - do you still worry about getting sick? <br /></p><p><br /></p>My Life as an Asthma Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13702075700890289018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7856422208388515286.post-19575627246801510532023-02-17T14:16:00.001-08:002023-02-17T14:16:39.571-08:00You want me to get rid of my dog if I have asthma?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxOc4dBYIMDY8vM8G8nmMPGhIeyQSFaiwZxP9hz2Cd5Z2r5hKkfW8E9SAI6Dm4iLGEllfQS1HzqrrBX2Fs5Z5vsFnHMPiX7RtfjvahpUgF_UVW_V20Bf15-rzaVQ0sr3rlE2rNAREs7UBmxjw7VNht7Xh1hdPDQtxGkf5W7U_Tc3r-aZ4kv22yAnkyQ/s1080/Dog.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxOc4dBYIMDY8vM8G8nmMPGhIeyQSFaiwZxP9hz2Cd5Z2r5hKkfW8E9SAI6Dm4iLGEllfQS1HzqrrBX2Fs5Z5vsFnHMPiX7RtfjvahpUgF_UVW_V20Bf15-rzaVQ0sr3rlE2rNAREs7UBmxjw7VNht7Xh1hdPDQtxGkf5W7U_Tc3r-aZ4kv22yAnkyQ/s320/Dog.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: arial;">A few years ago, I coordinate an Asthma Home Visit Program. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I provided in-depth asthma education to families.I know that doctors would like to spend more time providing education to their patients, but they just don't have time. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You may have been diagnosed with asthma while in the hospital, or at a doctor's office. And the doctor can explain a LOT of things - all at once. It's like trying to drink out of a fire hydrant.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When I meet with families, I try to reinforce what the doctor explained to them, and then fill in the gaps about how to control their asthma. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It's good to learn about medications and asthma triggers, but it's also important to learn how to make a home allergy & asthma friendly. When I say "home", that can mean apartment, house, trailer home, condo, whatever they consider a home.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">During one visit, a woman answered the door and said, "If you are going to tell me to get rid of my dog, you can just turn around and walk back out the door."</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Alrighty then </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I sort of laughed and told her "I'm not like that. I know that dogs and cats are like members of the family!" </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Phew</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I thought she was going to throw me out of the house.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Some doctors tell patients to get rid of their dog or cat. No exceptions. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I know that pets are a part of the family, and can comfort their humans. In fact, I know many people who prefer animals to humans (I can't say that I blame them!)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Instead of telling someone "You have asthma, why would you have a cat or dog? You know you are allergic to them! You have to find a new home for them."</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We could compromise <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Can we make one "safe room" in the house? </b><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I would ask clients if we could compromise. Would they be okay with having one "safe room" in the house? Where the person with asthma can sleep or play - without the cat or dog? <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Our asthma lungs can get really cranky when we are around cats or dogs. I have asthma, and am allergic to cats and dogs, so I know how pets can make me sneeze, wheeze and cough. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But cats and dogs are sooooo cute! I can't help it. I have to pet them! <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But, if there is one room in a house that is pet free, where our cranky asthma lungs can rest overnight, that can help our allergies and asthma lungs feel better.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Most families agree to try it and keep a bedroom as their "safe room."<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I ask if they are willing to:</span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;"> snuggle their dog or cat in another room</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">shower and shampoo </span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">put on clean pajamas</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">then climb into a clean bed with no dog or cat hair <br /></span></li></ul><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When I follow up with families a month later, they tell me that it works! </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">They can still snuggle their cat or dog, but their allergies and asthma seem better after a shower, change of clothes and pet hair free night in their "safe room". </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">They can still keep their pets, but just give their allergies and asthma a break at night. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Do you have pets? Would you be willing to try this and see how you feel?</span><br /></p>My Life as an Asthma Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13702075700890289018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7856422208388515286.post-34634262988155595612023-02-05T15:00:00.002-08:002023-02-05T15:00:22.094-08:00Overnight Oxygen for Long COVID and Asthma <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEian0mSB1JmAV9eo63LS9IWiJYuHizsIH5IdmCPmDp5N1NW0EA0z2Hk-SA5dQza7RCLkZ4qY5MlGIFmOnkzKKqxqtauPCDRFiENvBbhmVeBduJIL0KPT9HjYOLIuWAl-yJMzOS122HyptqH3g5BWv-sXHUBFDJgZTido-jFzVnYghbW-QPp0nkIhyYrKQ/s1080/Concentrator.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEian0mSB1JmAV9eo63LS9IWiJYuHizsIH5IdmCPmDp5N1NW0EA0z2Hk-SA5dQza7RCLkZ4qY5MlGIFmOnkzKKqxqtauPCDRFiENvBbhmVeBduJIL0KPT9HjYOLIuWAl-yJMzOS122HyptqH3g5BWv-sXHUBFDJgZTido-jFzVnYghbW-QPp0nkIhyYrKQ/s320/Concentrator.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> It seems like we'll never get away from COVID. </p><p style="text-align: center;">People are still getting COVID, and the number of people with Long COVID is growing. <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I belong to a social media group for other people with Long COVID. It's a place where people can share their symptoms, struggles, and treatment plans that worked for them. </p><p style="text-align: center;">I had COVID last year and missed a month of work. In additional to my high dose dual maintenance inhaler, I needed oral steroids, Paxlovid, and breathing treatments every 4 hours - around the clock.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I had a very difficult time getting my energy level back, and my oxygen level rarely went above 91. <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;">I know that there are many ways to assess asthma, and relying <b>only</b> on oxygen levels isn't the best idea. </p><p style="text-align: center;">As a Certified Asthma Educator, I teach families to look at signs and symptoms too. I had fatigue, a persistent cough, shortness of breath, a hard time sleeping (unless I was propped upright), etc etc</p><p style="text-align: center;">For some reason, I didn't feel like I needed oxygen. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>I'll order oxygen for my kids, but not myself </b><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">My kid were in the hospital 12 times for asthma, and they would often be discharged with an oxygen tank or an oxygen concentrator. An oxygen concentrator is what you see in the photo above. It take room air and "concentrates" it, turning it into oxygen. </p><p style="text-align: center;">You can use oxygen tubing and a canula (that sticks on your nose), or an oxygen mask. It depends on how many liters of oxygen you are on. </p><p style="text-align: center;">I made sure my kids had oxygen, but when I got sick....I didn't take care of myself. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Shocking, right?</p><p style="text-align: center;">Isn't that what moms do? Take care of everyone else but themselves? <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Months later, I was complaining to my doctor about how I still felt miserable. He said although my symptoms were finally getting better, and my oxygen level was okay during the day, it might not be at night. <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Ugh. I knew that! I remember how my kid's oxygen level would ALWAYS drop lower at night, which is why we usually ended up in the ER after midnight. And then they would be admitted to the Pediatric ward of the hospital. <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I reluctantly agreed to an overnight oxygen test. It showed that my oxygen level was still dropping below 91 often during the night </p><p style="text-align: center;">Well, huh</p><p style="text-align: center;">I finally agreed to an oxygen concentrator, and it was delivered right away. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Why did I wait so long?</p><p style="text-align: center;">Why do we moms neglect ourselves?</p><p style="text-align: center;">If you are sick (or have Long COVID), and you are feeling lousy. Chat with your doctor. Sometimes, adjusting your asthma inhalers isn't enough. You may need oral steroids. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Or you may need a little oxygen until you start to feel better! </p>My Life as an Asthma Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13702075700890289018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7856422208388515286.post-53847881320531924992023-01-22T15:32:00.006-08:002023-01-22T15:32:54.526-08:00Why Do Movies Show Anaphylaxis Wrong?<p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQZPcUbPEAfz5AImGiZtq2GWBy-bO4Dzn4VcmM0ZGflcPq2vN9qBiIY7-jfW8p1lrzi9PUxObqWbafAxgB3bMPSKHHTvSo37ul4KOzcbZeEQja40sdFFEMT7Y9JmbrdhNrkHbghvJVr0r996a9P1qvOUnU1LlRyO2BfG_qV9lfe1xMYH9DkQVTR3Kdg/s1080/Movies.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQZPcUbPEAfz5AImGiZtq2GWBy-bO4Dzn4VcmM0ZGflcPq2vN9qBiIY7-jfW8p1lrzi9PUxObqWbafAxgB3bMPSKHHTvSo37ul4KOzcbZeEQja40sdFFEMT7Y9JmbrdhNrkHbghvJVr0r996a9P1qvOUnU1LlRyO2BfG_qV9lfe1xMYH9DkQVTR3Kdg/s320/Movies.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> I was watching Glass Onion and I was surprised at the ending. </p><p style="text-align: center;">I can NEVER figure out murder mysteries and am always wrong about "who done it"<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">In fact, the movie was so fast paced that I missed a lot of things. So I decided to put on the closed captioning so I could watch it again. </p><p style="text-align: center;">I saw the scene where a character dies of anaphylaxis (oh.....is that what killed him?)<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">But then I thought, wait a minute! You can't die that fast from an allergen!</p><p style="text-align: center;">In the movie, Big Burly Guy says he "doesn't do pineapple". (I missed that the first time.)</p><p style="text-align: center;">At the end of the movie, when the detective was doing a recap of what happened, he talked about how Big Burly Guy died. That the Slimy Guy had put pineapple juice into Big Burly Guy's drink</p><p style="text-align: center;">It showed a clip of Big Burly Guy grabbing his throat, staggering for about 10 seconds, and then collapsing and dying</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Hold the phone! </b></p><p style="text-align: center;">Why can't movies show anaphylaxis or asthma attacks correctly? Ugh! <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Death doesn't happen instantly from eating a food allergen <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> The <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000005.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">National Institutes of Health, Library of Medicine </a>has an article that says:</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #073763;"></span></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-size: medium;">"Anaphylaxis is a sudden and severe allergic reaction that occurs within
minutes of exposure. Immediate medical attention is needed for this
condition. Without treatment, anaphylaxis can get worse very quickly and
lead to death within 15 minutes"</span></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">15 minutes.......... not 10 seconds</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">From my experience, anaphylaxis can vary with how quickly I start to feel symptoms. (But it's never been instantly)<br /></span></span></span></p><p></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #073763;"><p><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Cross contact</b> - for me, my anaphylaxis can be different depending if there was cross contact (just tiny amounts of my food allergen contaminated my food)<b> </b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Ingesting</b> my food allergen</span></span></p></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #073763;"><p><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Exercising</b> after eating an allergen (if the blood pumps through your body quicker, it can make anaphylaxis worse.) This happened to me with a NEW food allergen. I didn't know I was allergic to this new food...or I wouldn't have used my exercise bike afterwards!</span></span></p><p><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></p></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #073763;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">These are my experiences with anaphylaxis, it can be different for everyone. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">Has anyone else watched a movie that showed anaphylaxis and thought, "Staaahhhhp! That's so wrong!"</span></span></p></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #073763;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">Is it just me yelling at my TV? </span></span></p></span></span></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #073763;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"></span></p></span></span></div></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #073763;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"></span></p></span></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #073763;"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <br /></span></p><p></p>My Life as an Asthma Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13702075700890289018noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7856422208388515286.post-12728867059483257812022-12-23T14:44:00.000-08:002022-12-23T14:44:02.986-08:00Where to Stay for the Holidays?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMkXbsWRCpFRm6hIi6Gpaa8GRWd6OSlnYJHVU9vbXuzvTuhv-JUpXqDVbSe_61wnYpBoyZxQAXs0qxD0L4FJXWtDWnn0QPvEdW7i4-evQcUSbp_hfGjoEshNMOIFJTSyoob6UoOaWJcrzCRTEG8Xc9s6u0GZ6X3EM7Zvn62y50nRzinm6CDzQgQ8p5Q/s1080/Where%20to%20stay.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMkXbsWRCpFRm6hIi6Gpaa8GRWd6OSlnYJHVU9vbXuzvTuhv-JUpXqDVbSe_61wnYpBoyZxQAXs0qxD0L4FJXWtDWnn0QPvEdW7i4-evQcUSbp_hfGjoEshNMOIFJTSyoob6UoOaWJcrzCRTEG8Xc9s6u0GZ6X3EM7Zvn62y50nRzinm6CDzQgQ8p5Q/s320/Where%20to%20stay.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">One thing that always bothered me over the years with our family of 5 is where to stay for the holidays.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;">We would usually travel hours to see a family member, who insisted that EVERYONE stay at her house. No matter that there wasn't enough room.... <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">She would tell me that my kids could sleep on the couch, or buy an air mattress and sleep on the floor. </p><p style="text-align: center;">How is that a fun thing for the holidays? I will have kids that are sleep deprived and cranky from trying not to roll off the couch. <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> And 5 of us are fighting to use the one guest bathroom. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Was that a status thing for families? It was some sort of badge of honor to have children and grandchildren all under one roof? As many as you could squeeze in? One time, Family Member wanted 4 families (and their kids) to all stay at her house.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"> While Family Member had the luxury of a large master bedroom, complete with a walk in closet and full sized bathroom with a jetted tub.......all to herself? </p><p style="text-align: center;">Yet we were supposed to crowd in one small area and be miserable? </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Staying at a Hotel </b></p><p style="text-align: center;">That family member has since passed away, so we can do whatever we want to for the holidays. <b> </b><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">This year, our family of 5 decided to do a short beach getaway. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Just before our holiday trip, Son #1 let us know he was sick. He lives a few hours away from us and hasn't been sick for 3 years! What bad timing! </p><p style="text-align: center;">He wore a mask when he came home and during our holiday trip. He also decided to get his own hotel room so he wouldn't expose all of us to germs. </p><p style="text-align: center;">With a family of 5 and 4 of us with asthma, any respiratory illness is bad news. </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;">We made it through the trip without the rest of us getting sick (a Christmas Miracle!) Seriously...</p><p style="text-align: center;">It made me wonder - why is it such a big deal to pay for a hotel room? Rather than stay with family?</p><p style="text-align: center;">Don't you a little time away from family? Son #1 didn't think it was so bad to have his own hotel room! </p><p style="text-align: center;">I know money can be tight for a lot of people, so their only option is to crowed into a family home. </p><p style="text-align: center;">But is there a price to having a little personal space and alone time? </p><p style="text-align: center;">How do you all cope during the holidays? Or any other time you go to visit family? <br /></p>My Life as an Asthma Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13702075700890289018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7856422208388515286.post-46886143565871414752022-12-16T13:37:00.001-08:002022-12-16T13:37:25.607-08:00Avoiding Sick People <p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7lfVtGU0ULitSEonfsOkbpmogvQ9s7dS8mUD04kJuSEeFczCpvy9F7FOx0i5uoXk63pt0EPsFSQ5nbWE2hzH9n63A3MScsj6aaApki3CSZhZToYmmI5NBLW_bKkObaN05C296WIGnupKIXm1bPEiyMhl8FdZ-d5RKszjAWBT790URHKKzh1qouf8EHQ/s1080/Avoid%20sick%20people.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7lfVtGU0ULitSEonfsOkbpmogvQ9s7dS8mUD04kJuSEeFczCpvy9F7FOx0i5uoXk63pt0EPsFSQ5nbWE2hzH9n63A3MScsj6aaApki3CSZhZToYmmI5NBLW_bKkObaN05C296WIGnupKIXm1bPEiyMhl8FdZ-d5RKszjAWBT790URHKKzh1qouf8EHQ/s320/Avoid%20sick%20people.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> Our family has always been VERY cautious around other sick people.</p><p style="text-align: center;">With a family of 5 (4 of whom have asthma), we have a habit of getting very sick - very fast. In fact, my kids were in the hospital 12 times when they were young (two of those were ICU stays.) <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Needless to say, we are all germaphobes. And we were germaphobes long before COVID reared its ugly head. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Since covid started, we have avoided church, family parties, receptions, weddings, and baby showers. In fact, we had friends that were supposed to come over for Thanksgiving dinner. But, the daughter was sick and coughing. </p><p style="text-align: center;">The parents said she would wear a mask - but I knew she would have to take it off to eat. I would have to watch her like a hawk and as soon as she took her last bite of food, I would have to tell her to put her mask back on. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Either way, it would expose my family to her respiratory illness. She didn't have asthma, but she was coughing. I could just imagine how bad our cough would be if we caught the same illness she had! <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> So, we had our friends drive by and pick up a large tray filled with turkey and all the fixings. They took it home to eat, and we ate alone at our house. We just couldn't chance getting the illness from her.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Long Covid worries</b> <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I have Long Covid and finally got overnight oxygen. I have been struggling with my asthma since I got covid 6 months ago. And the thought of getting sick again terrifies me. </p><p style="text-align: center;">I came close to being admitted to the hospital for asthma and covid.</p><p style="text-align: center;">So we are still avoiding sick people. We're not trying to be rude - just careful. <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> I still wear my mask out in public and avoid any social activities. I would love to go back to the movie theater, but with my luck I would get sick...</p><p style="text-align: center;">Is anyone else still avoiding other people like the plague? And not letting people come over to your house if they are sick? </p><p style="text-align: center;">Is it just me?</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p>My Life as an Asthma Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13702075700890289018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7856422208388515286.post-53442946173404851442022-12-04T14:26:00.002-08:002022-12-04T14:26:50.684-08:00Handling the Holiday with Asthma <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGfYvbucTnVUdJd3VKcDaY1iCVgO298GrAJuoUNvd5OGfTcSXXYiEHDNY9mPHGu0pnl_lrV4ziMvqJ1tGt8_DZGtW74PyI5bx0XR7nbNHdZAaXv77OlcjN-hPZUFY3HU3o-9rGBPZW2IZXzsXn7SLcztr4uMedU-uEGOeFJd8bLffzy9Ggi3eUPGNgA/s1080/Handling%20the%20holidays%20.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGfYvbucTnVUdJd3VKcDaY1iCVgO298GrAJuoUNvd5OGfTcSXXYiEHDNY9mPHGu0pnl_lrV4ziMvqJ1tGt8_DZGtW74PyI5bx0XR7nbNHdZAaXv77OlcjN-hPZUFY3HU3o-9rGBPZW2IZXzsXn7SLcztr4uMedU-uEGOeFJd8bLffzy9Ggi3eUPGNgA/s320/Handling%20the%20holidays%20.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
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<p></p><p class="MsoNormal">It’s that time of year again, the holidays! There are so
many allergy & asthma triggers that can make our family miserable. We are a
family of 5 – all 5 have allergies, 4 have asthma, and 2 have food allergies. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So we try to be careful year round – but there are more
challenges during the holidays.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Christmas trees </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I see so many commercials or holiday ads with people driving
their car with a Christmas tree strapped to the top. That must be nice I mutter
to myself as they drive by. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We are all allergic to live Christmas trees, so we have an
artificial tree. I know it’s not the same as the smell of a freshly cut tree,
but we can’t have one in our house. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Instead, we have a fairly good looking artificial tree that
is scent free. So that works for us.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Stress and strong emotions</b> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Stress is another asthma trigger that gets to me at the
holidays. This year, we have decided to take a trip instead of buying sweaters
and socks of other ‘stuff’. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My kids are
all adults, so none of us really NEED anything. We are going to have a little
getaway to escape work and life. We have all had a stressful year and are looking
forward to taking a relaxing beach trip. </p><p class="MsoNormal">And it’s just our immediate family – so we don’t have to worry about
fighting with the crazy conspiracy theory brother in law. It seems like every family has that one person who likes to cause trouble, and anger and other strong emotions can trigger an asthma attack for me.<br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Strong scents</b> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I try to steer clear of the holiday aisle at the grocery
store and craft store. Can we please not have highly scented pine cones? I’m
also not a big fan of scented candles, essential oils, or plug in air freshners.
Luckily, we are home bodies and stay in our allergy and asthma friendly home. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Cold air</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is an asthma trigger that is hard for us to avoid since
we live near the beautiful mountains and have fabulous snow. Last night, we
went to see an outdoor nativity, and it was beautiful. We just made sure we
didn’t stay outside for too long. When my husband and kids go skiing, they usually
wrap a scarf around their mouth to warm up the air when they breathe it in. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Dusty decoration bins </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My husband is the only one who doesn’t have asthma, so his
job is to get the boxes from the garage and storage shed. He wipes off the
dusty lid and then brings the bins in for me so I can decorate. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is just a snapshot of a few of the ways we try to
manage allergies and asthma. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I would love to hear any ideas that you have used!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p></p>My Life as an Asthma Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13702075700890289018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7856422208388515286.post-57441510823255435672022-10-24T19:16:00.001-07:002022-10-24T19:16:17.840-07:00RSV Isn't Just For Babies!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37EkFc2UHG5rQ0cFCzfw6rI2M4GCNgRr5kcz1qZT5gweuOcT9N0g3DiKlKxW1OtugfwyM6Eh4PFIR-In7krknckil2cWfRGKrpxbQqCZn5lck4R3m-PUXHLjiKpdZM59ELEy3gn03CgDHpzUz34BT329G5DZCYUs7CB2y_8LaD7wtlAarTxSMVhgp3A/s1080/RSV.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37EkFc2UHG5rQ0cFCzfw6rI2M4GCNgRr5kcz1qZT5gweuOcT9N0g3DiKlKxW1OtugfwyM6Eh4PFIR-In7krknckil2cWfRGKrpxbQqCZn5lck4R3m-PUXHLjiKpdZM59ELEy3gn03CgDHpzUz34BT329G5DZCYUs7CB2y_8LaD7wtlAarTxSMVhgp3A/s320/RSV.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I've been watching the news and every channel has been having stories about RSV. But, each channel is saying that RSV is only dangerous to babies and older people. </p><p style="text-align: center;">I'm yelling at my TV</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>It's not just for babies!</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;">When my son was only 5 years old, he was hospitalized with RSV</p><p style="text-align: center;">Yes, 5. </p><p style="text-align: center;">It's so important that people know that older kids can get RSV and end up in the hospital! </p><p style="text-align: center;">My son is an adult now, but years ago, he was sick all the time. All the time. </p><p style="text-align: center;">He has severe asthma, and would always get sicker than my other kids. And he would be sick for a lot longer than my other kids. <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">One time, Son #2 looked terrible and I knew it was time for a trip to the ER. <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I remember the doctors in the ER saying hmmm....what could it be? I guess we should test your son for RSV, but I've never heard of a kid that age ending up in the hospital with RSV. </p><p style="text-align: center;"> Silly doctor. He hasn't met our family yet! </p><p style="text-align: center;">We are always the 1% </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/high-risk/infants-young-children.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> CDC says </a>RSV can look like other respiratory illnesses: </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><ul><li>Runny nose</li><li>Loss of appetite</li><li>Coughing (and also wheezing) </li></ul><p style="text-align: center;"> But for some babies, kids (and adults!), it can lead to bronchiolitis or pneumonia </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>When should you worry? <br /></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/conditions/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nationwide Children's Hospital says</a>:</p><ul><li>child is having a hard time breathing:
<ul><li>wheezing and coughing<br /></li><li>having short and fast breaths (like panting)<br /></li><li>skin is pulling in between the ribs or under the neck (retractions)</li></ul>
</li><li>skin, lips or tongue has a bluish or grey color </li><li>not eating, drinking or sleeping</li><li>is dehydrated <br /></li></ul><p style="text-align: center;">When my son's test results came back, the ER Docs were shaking their heads and saying this can't be right! <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">But, my 5 year old son had all of the severe symptoms for RSV and was admitted to the hospital for 3 days. </p><p style="text-align: center;">I try to bring up the story to let other families know that older kids with asthma can also end up in the hospital, not just babies. <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Trust your instinct. If you think something is wrong with your child, call your doc! Sometimes my doc would say "it's just a virus, your son will be fine." Yet, later that night Son #2 would get worse and we would end up in the ER. </p><p style="text-align: center;">I just knew that something wasn't right with my son. </p><p style="text-align: center;">And then he was admitted </p><p style="text-align: center;">Trust your gut! </p><p style="text-align: center;">RSV isn't just for babies <br /></p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p><br /></p>My Life as an Asthma Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13702075700890289018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7856422208388515286.post-24955490425884281912022-10-08T12:11:00.000-07:002022-10-08T12:11:02.373-07:00Allergies & Asthma Go to College <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92ekODZUsiGGu1xdsxdzMIPt6LYrEctcvNcS_arNY-EUiFGqVVd_bwMAWUgzC4PdWb2IqY1MNNHqez4La9shIqGkQvN7nd5NFqtcBfCKjSQ1B-k2wIewvrsLBi9uz1jdkP6fEWymNFZBumRxYm_f-w3mYQYoAJ-xmW5njBf73q-vq71E2UZRJQ57bFw/s1080/College.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92ekODZUsiGGu1xdsxdzMIPt6LYrEctcvNcS_arNY-EUiFGqVVd_bwMAWUgzC4PdWb2IqY1MNNHqez4La9shIqGkQvN7nd5NFqtcBfCKjSQ1B-k2wIewvrsLBi9uz1jdkP6fEWymNFZBumRxYm_f-w3mYQYoAJ-xmW5njBf73q-vq71E2UZRJQ57bFw/s320/College.png" width="320" /></a></div> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm a little late in posting about sending kids to college, but you know how it goes.... work projects take priority.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I only have one kid left in college, but I still worry about all of my adult kids! My mom always said,</span> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">"Once you're a mom, you're a mom for the rest of your life."</span></span></span></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have to laugh when young moms say 'it must be nice to not have to worry about your kids anymore.'</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Amateurs</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I didn't stop being a mom when my kids turn 18. Maybe some parents are like that - 'good luck with the rest of your life!'</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I will always worry about my adult kids especially because they have chronic health problems like allergies, food allergies, and asthma. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">But I tried to teach them life skills so they could be independent. They REALLY hated that when they were younger, but I told them they would thank me later</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">When it came time to for each of them to go to college, they could do the basics: <br /></span></span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Do their laundry</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Balance their bank accounts</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Maintain their cars (get the oil changed and the tires rotated)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Shop for groceries</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Cook meals <br /></span></li></ul><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> But the most important thing they needed to do on their own was manage their health</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Student Health Center </b> <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When we did the college tour, the tour guide was careful to point out to the student health center. We wandered over to look a what they offered, and I was happy to see that they had medical visits and mental health visits - for $10!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I pointed out to my kids that they were now in charge of:</span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Making their own doctors appointments</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Making the co-pay</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Picking up and paying for their prescriptions </span></li></ul><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My kids were covered on my medical insurance until they were turned 26. So I could afford to help them if they needed that they couldn't get on campus (x-rays, MRI's, surgery, etc)<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But - it was their job to manage their physical and mental health now</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm there if they need me - and we have had some great conversations about medical problems and how they could get help.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But they are in the driver's seat now and I am the passenger</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Wish me luck! </span></p><div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><br /><div><div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br /></span></p><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"> <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> <br /></p></span></span><p></p><p> <br /></p><p><br /></p></div></div></div></div></div>My Life as an Asthma Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13702075700890289018noreply@blogger.com0