Thanks everyone for your words of concern about my health. I'm still struggling, but am doing a lot better. I got a sinus infection right after I was discharged from the hospital, so I've been working through that the past couple of days.
Asthma has two components-inflammation and the constriction of the airways. Luckily, I haven't been real constricted, but I get inflamed at the drop of a hat which has been annoying. I'm super sensitive to any smells (from perfume to food), which makes things interesting. However, I'm not nearly as weak as I was. I also can concentrate more than 90 seconds at a time (where I was in the hospital) which is awesome.
When I was admitted to the hospital, I was perpetually breathless, and drinking a gallon and a half of a water a day to stay hydrated, and still dehydrated. I went from riding 60 miles in one day to not even being able to walk down the street, now that's humbling.
Anyway, I have an appointment with both my allergist and pulmonologist next week which will be really good. I've been scared straight about my health. Life's too precious and short not to take care of myself. I don't want any regrets. Even though I have asthma, I can do anything anyone else can, I just have to be smart about it. I've had asthma since I was a kid, and I can take the lessons I've learned from it and turn it into a strength, not a weakness.
The fact that I rode 1000 miles on my bike this past spring, summer and fall, a good thing. However, not getting a flu shot the week they were available when I'm friends with the building nurse? Not so good.
I've learned lessons in that hospital room that I hope I won't forget, about what's most important (our relationships with others including our relationship with God), and humility. I've been touched by so many little and big acts of kindness the past month. I've been humbled and feel like I've been stripped bare, and a little like I've gone through a self-inflicted rehab. But who cares about talk without action? I've got to change, but I know I can. Even though my family is 2500 miles away, I've got a great support group here in DC who have been the best. My supervisor and co-workers have been really good to me.
The key now though is not to get too self involved, I mean I've got to take care of myself, but my relationships with others? More important.
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