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Archive for December, 2009
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Counting Down a Decade of Asthma – No. 1, Embrace Change
Don’t ever think the asthma you’re dealing with today will be the same disease you’re treating next year, next month, or even tomorrow. Asthma changes all the time. It can involve new symptoms and new triggers, and it can affect a person in ways totally new and unexpected. People with asthma – and everyone else, for [...] -
Counting Down a Decade of Asthma – No. 2, My Kid’s Blog
Part of the series A Decade of Asthma No, she doesn’t have one yet, but I hope she will someday. I blog as the parent of an asthma patient, but the patient bloggers themselves – people like Steve, who is practically a superhero, and students like Danielle and Kerri, who manage their health the way my daughter [...] -
Counting Down a Decade of Asthma – No. 3, No One Understands
Part of the series A Decade of Asthma. And they never will. Seriously, not ever – not unless they’re living with asthma themselves or caring for someone who is. My family has tried to understand over the years, and many of them have tried to help, too. Various friends have attempted to listen to explanations of flares and [...] -
Counting Down a Decade of Asthma – No. 4, Trust Yourself
Part of the series A Decade of Asthma Raising a kid with asthma involves more judgment calls and gray areas than I’m really happy with, but I can’t change the nature of the beast. Instead, I’ve learned to pay attention and trust that still, quiet voice within. When intuition suggested I change the way AG used [...] -
Counting Down a Decade of Asthma – No. 5, Steroid Rules
Part of the series A Decade of Asthma. Right after learning to love steroids, parents of moderate persistents like me have to get acquainted with all the little rules and tips that prevent some of their side effects. Because asthma’s just a laugh a minute sometimes, it really is. These are my four highest priorities when it [...] -
Let Your Heart Be Light
Merry Christmas, everyone! Much love and health and happiness to you all. -
Counting Down a Decade of Asthma – No. 6, Carpe Everything
Part of the series A Decade of Asthma In her almost 11 years on earth, some of the worst flares have made AG miss out on her share – and several other children’s – of holiday fun, friends’ birthday parties, and special events at school. As a result, I’ll never take good health for granted, and [...] -
Counting Down a Decade of Asthma – No. 7, Deconstructing the Cough
Part of the series A Decade of Asthma The progression of my understanding of the notorious asthma cough over the last decade with AG: Post-diagnosis by about a year, circa 2002 Wait, you mean all my kid’s coughing is the actual asthma attack? Still 2002, about six months later (What can I say? I’m a slow learner sometimes.) Hold on, [...] -
Counting Down a Decade of Asthma – No. 8, More than a Village
Part of the series A Decade of Asthma If it takes a village to raise a child, it has so far taken a small to mid-sized city to raise this kid of mine with persistent asthma. It takes both Mr. Asthma Mom and me, and it takes our younger asthma-free daughter, who has always been extremely attached [...] -
Counting Down a Decade of Asthma – No. 9, Learning to Love Steroids
Part of the series A Decade of Asthma. Okay, “love” is a strong word. “Like” is stretching things, even. But raising a child with this lung condition does mean – except, sometimes, in instances of extremely mild asthma – understanding that “steroid” is not a bad word. As part of my inability to
