I woke up one night last week and couldn't breathe. I was wheezing for air. Seemed like none would enter my lungs. It felt as though someone had laid a 100-pound sack of potatoes on my chest, and I could not remove it. It was scary. The next morning I skipped my painting class and went to the doctor where I discovered I have asthma. He loaded me up with steroids, a Z-pak anti-biotic, cough syrup laced with codeine and an inhaler. Each day I felt a tiny bit better. However, the coughing jags came and went, then came back again. So far, they remain a part of my life. The only way I can stop coughing is to take dope--codeine. I actually had to take a hydrocodone tablet in order to go to my painting class today. It's the only way I could stop hacking. I've taken all the meds the doctor gave me, and since I'm still coughing up junk and wheezing in the night, I wondered how long asthma lasts. So, I googled it.
Imagine my chagrin when I discovered it lasts forever. WHOA! I'm thinking, this is nuts. I can't live like this!! Coughing, hacking, and choking on the smell of anything from Dove soap, to bacon frying in the pan. Gasping for breath in the middle of Wal-mart, and church. Even the smell of Oklahoma dirt triggers an attack. I'm thinking, Something's got to give. I went on-line and discovered a few things that are suppose to help. First and foremost I have to get my immune system built up. Time to purge the house of all sugar and processed foods...again. Yeah. I've done this before and felt great when I did. But bit by bit, I let pastries rule my heart and take over my taste buds. Occasionally one could spot a Little Debbie's snack cake peeking out of my cabinet doors. For the most part, I am a fruit, veggie, fish and chicken gal. But carbs want to reign over me. Time to change. Back to basics: eating more fish, fowl, fruit and friendly veggies. Say no to sugar...say no to carbs.
After my painting class today, I went to the health-food store and stocked up on various items to address the asthma issue. Magnesium, potassium, flax-oil supplements, probiotics (acidophilus--good bacteria), and licorice extract. I met hubby at Atlanta Bread Company for lunch, and enjoyed a half-Caesar salad with a large piece of salmon. It was yummy. Instead of my usual coffee, I ordered hot water and brewed my cranberry tea, laced with 20 drops of licorice-root extract. I am feeling a bit better at the moment.
Licorice is suppose to reduce the inflammation in my bronchial tubes. The supplements will help get rid of the mucous which keeps clogging my lungs. A twice-daily nasal rinse should eliminate and control the allergens attacking my weakened immune system. Then God will take care of the rest. I took a deep cleansing breath a few minutes ago and I didn't cough. It felt amazing. It's the first rush of air in days that I have felt surge all the way through my lungs. I couldn't help but consider how seldom I think about breathing. Isn't it odd how much of life hinges upon little things we take for granted? Breath. Oxygen. Family. Faith.
I love life, my friends. God gives me new reasons to praise Him every day, new mercies every morning. He allows greater challenges so I have to lean harder, and more closely upon Him. Faith-walking is not for wimps. Sometimes faith stands upon rocks that wiggle beneath your feet as you gasp for air. Faith stands firm, no matter how the circumstances of life shake the ground beneath us. Faith fills all the gaps and crevices where fear lurks and waits to destory our rest in Him. Faith grabs God's hand, and takes Him at His word. Faith knows things are in God's care, that He is sufficient to meet the needs I have. Right now. This minute. With Him we can breathe easier. "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord." Psalm 150:6 selahV









