My Life as an Asthma Mom

      I was listening to The Today Show while I was getting ready for work. I stopped in my tracks when I heard them talking about Medical Gaslighting.  That was a new term, so I had to listen to see what they were talking about. I have heard of gaslighting before, but not MEDICAL gaslighting. Psychology Today says gaslighting is a form of manipulation and psychological control. Victims are deliberately given false information that leads them to question what they know about themselves. They may end up doubting their memory, perception, and sanity.  The Today Show segment focused on how women are not believed when they go to their doctor. Some doctors may not listen to the patient - and instead just chalk up the symptoms to a woman being depressed, anxious, or just fat. New flash - you can be overweight and STILL have medical problems.... One woman was overweight and her doctor repeatedly dismissed her complaints of stomach and back pain. She went through this for 4 years - until sh

  As I look back over the last 22 years (when our asthma journey began) all I can think is WOW. How did I make it through all those years?? My introduction to being an asthma mom was having my then 5 year old admitted to the hospital....and then finding out he had asthma. What?! Trying to learn the asthma lingo (what's a controller inhaler, reliever inhaler, spacer, nebulizer and a breathing treatment?!) Trying to make my home allergy & asthma friendly. See ya carpet! Trying to find the right doctor (Asthma Doc definitely managed their asthma differently than the pediatrician!) Hovering to make sure my kids took their controller inhaler every morning and every night   Calling dibs as room parent so I could see what was going on in my kid's classrooms. (Looking for class pets, stinky art projects, or anything else that could set off their asthma.) Volunteering to go on field trips (yeah.....they're not going to the zoo or state fair without me. I KNOW my son or daughter