This week I have ended up taking an unplanned break from online life and my site. My week instead has involved several doctors appointments, a trip to Urgent Care one night, lots of medicine, and quite a few bowls of soup.
I have mentioned before that I have asthma. Generally it is under control, especially over the last few years, but this week I was reminded that I do in fact still have asthma. Not that I ever thought it went away. I know it won’t. It is just that the last few years my asthma has been so under control, that I have kind of taken it for granted. Yes, it is there, but I don’t really think about it much anymore.
Last Saturday I mentioned in my menu planning post that I thought I was coming down with something. As the day wore on I definitely knew I was sick, as were two of my kids.
By Sunday I could tell it was going to be a nasty cold. My chest and breathing were just not right. By Monday night I was really struggling to breathe. Basically I felt like I had a ton of bricks sitting on top of my chest. If you have asthma I am sure you know what I mean. Every breath hurt and at times was quite a struggle.
My husband insisted I go to Urgent care Monday night. I have had bronchitis and pneumonia more times than I can count in my life, that is part of living with asthma since I was very young kid, so I knew he was right. I needed to get some medicine quickly before it got a lot worse.
Bronchitis was the diagnosis, which I was relived about, because pneumonia is always harder for me to recover from. After a couple days on multiple medicine I am starting to feel slightly better, but am far from back to normal. I still get out of breath just walking across the room.
I usually have several recipes and post done ahead, but not this week. I had Monday’s post done and that was it. So, it might be quiet here over the next few days. I hope to get my menu plan posts up on Saturday, but things might not be back to normal here until next week. I know from past experience it will take me a few weeks to totally get back to my normal self.
And I will add that I really do have something to be thankful for in all this. I used to suffer with terrible asthma. I would get bronchitis and pneumonia multiple times a year. Really I have had both more times than I can possibly count.
What I am grateful for is that I have not had bronchitis in three or four years and it has been at least ten years since I ended up at Urgent Care or Minor Emergency for my asthma. I think it has been closer to twelve years since I had pneumonia. That in and of itself is pretty amazing, especially with my history. So although my week has gone nothing like I planned, I am very grateful that this is something I don’t deal with nearly as much as I used to. This really has been a reminder of what a blessing it is that my asthma has been so under control.
The other thing I am grateful for this week is simply breathing. Anyone that has asthma knows what I mean by saying that. Breathing is something we have to do to live, but it is something we take for granted because we just do it. But when you go through a time, or days, when just simply breathing is a struggle, it really makes you appreciate just being able to take a breath without complications.
Really sometimes it is the little things that we need to be thankful for because they are not that little. Being sick often reminds us of that.
I hope you’re feeling better soon. Take care of yourself!
So glad you didn’t get worse. Hope you get well soon! Take care!
Thanks!
So glad you’re doing better. I have COPD and know somewhat what you go through. My grandfather had asthma very badly and I was his errand running person after my family moved in with him to help him when things got too difficult for him. Those flareups are terrible. Take care.
Feel better soon Lynn!
My prayers go out to you. I know what you talk about. I normally get really sick with some sort of bronchitis or such every year until I started taking ALJ. It’s a natural/herbal supplement that supports healthy lung function. I take it on a regular basis. You can get it from a health food store or order it online. It’s a Godsent for me & my family and has helped tremendously w/our allergies. Get feeling better!
Thanks! I have never heard of that. I will have to look into it. Going gluten free has helped my asthma. I think this time I just wasn’t taking care of myself and was not getting enough sleep and it caught up with me. Hopefully taking it easy for a while will get me back on track!
I’m so sorry you were sick! Don’t you worry about your readers. Just take care of yourself and we’ll be here when you get back.
Thanks! I am taking it easy and doing very little right now. I am catching up on my book reading and tv watching. 🙂
Lynn,
I’m so sorry to hear that you’re sick; what a rough week you’ve had! I will be praying for a quick and complete recovery for you! God bless!
Thanks! I appreciate it.
So sorry to hear you aren’t feeling well. It is a terrible feeling not being able to breathe. I too had a bad bout of asthma last week and was expecting a diagnosis of bronchitis, but the doctor thinks its more likely allergies to our new pets, which my kids aren’t going to be happy about. It usually takes me 2-3 weeks to recover from bronchitis. As Sandy said, rest up and don’t worry about your readers. Blogging is supposed to give us a flexible schedule, but sometimes we bloggers put too much pressure on ourselves to stay on a schedule. Don’t feel bad about needing a break. Your readers want you to feel better.
Thanks! And yes I am trying to be more flexible and just let it go. When you feel bad that is a little easier. 🙂
So sorry to hear of your illness.You have certainly become my friend and I want you to know that I am praying for your speedy recovery. You have just described me and my life,and also my experience with the same thing recently. I so appreciate your recipes and the sharing of your life. Thank you and get well soon.
Thank you! That means a lot. I am taking it easy now and hope to be back to normal soon.
Praying that you recovery quickly. I have the same problem. Childhood asthma damaged me too. Although I go zero sugar/fat/acidic foods (acid causes cancer/colds/flu), chicken soup, rest, and Sudafed upon onset of post nasal drip, I can only get it to point where I can only prevent the asthma and pneumonia. I still end up having to take Mucinex (plain, not DM version) for bronchitis to prevent having to take Albuterol. But, I would prefer not to take Mucinex…one less med was my next goal. Then one day, an advice nurse told me to take Zyrtec at the onset of any cold/flu symptom such as itchy throats and sneezing/nasal drip to prevent nasal drip triggering the coughing and to reduce the swelling in our throat. It wasn’t until a friend of mine in my small group who said she takes allergy meds every day all year around and has not had bronchitis/pneumonia/asthma ever since that I tried it.
I agree I love both Zyrtec and Mucinex. Well I don’t love taking them, but love that they work. I take Zyrtec regularly for my sinus issues and it works great. I think this time it was the fact that I was run down and not taking care of myself like I should have been. We have had a crazy couple of months and I know I was not getting enough sleep etc, I think it all caught up with me. Hopefully, once I get over this, and take care of myself better, I can get it back under control.
So sorry you are sick. I too have asthma and this winter has been extremely hard on my asthma this year. Antibiotics, steroids, rescue inhalers, you name it! Please take care of yourself and get some rest!
Those are the exact things my week involved. Not a lot of fun, but I am seeing some improvement so I think I should be back to normal soon.
I hope you feel better soon! Take time to take care of yourself…your readers aren’t going anywhere 🙂
Thanks! I am taking it easy and not stressing much about online life. 🙂
Breathing is a gift, not a given. I hope your road to health is speedy! My Dad had chronic severe asthma, as does a friend now. I know how difficult it is to live with. I’ve been wheezing for a week now. After reading your post I’m thinking I need to get medical attention, again! Thank you for the reminder! And going thru this sure has made it easier to get back to eating gluten free again-I want to do all I can to get well faster! Hope you have a better today!
Thank you. I am slowly doing better. I am feeling better overall, but still struggling with the asthma if I am up doing much, so I have been catching up on lots of reading, etc. And you are so right. Breathing is a gift, not a given. And gluten free has helped my asthma so much over the last few years that it has been so worth it. The issues I have had this week have been a reminder of what a blessing it has been to have it under control the last few years.
Lynn;
Just get to feeling better, we will all be here anxiously waiting for you .. I for one won’t be leaving.
So Just get better !!