Monday, March 25, 2013

A bit of a cautionary tale...

Hi everyone!  Hope this finds you all happy and healthy--some of you making springtime snowmen, lol!  We haven't had any snow here in Atlanta, but we sure have had a lot of wind and rain and even hail. 

A week ago this past Saturday my husband and I were enjoying a beautiful evening at our friends house, all of us sitting around the bonfire in their backyard.  Our friends have a pretty house on a lake.  The weather that night was cool and crisp--perfect for a bonfire.

I have asthma.  Up to this point it hasn't been too hard to live with, but I know that smoke is a trigger for me. Nevertheless, I decided to take a chance and join the fun.  The wind was blowing and shifting the smoke back and forth.  I held my breath, got up, and even moved my chair when the smoke blew my way, but it wasn't enough.  By the time I got home, my throat felt raw and my lungs hurt.

During the next couple of days I used my inhaler faithfully, but things only got worse.  I began to run a fever, my energy level went down to a new low, and a dry, hacking cough ensued. By Thursday I felt so bad I didn't want to get out of bed, so I made an appointment at the doctor's office only to find out that I was having a severe asthma attack which had turned into pneumonia.  I have been very, very sick ever since.

The reason I am blogging about this incident is to warn those of you with asthma not to take it lightly.  Even if you haven't had problems with smoke before, this can happen to you.  Remember, breathing is essential to your daily life.  Asthma prohibits your ability to breathe very quickly.  I have learned a new respect for myself, my asthma, and the simple act of breathing.  I will never take it for granted again.

I am now on several medications to help me recover from pneumonia.  I've been very, very sick. It all happened so quickly and so innocently.  It seemed perfectly harmless to sit around a nice, warm bonfire with friends and enjoy the evening.  I put my health and my life in jeopardy in just a couple of hours.  It wasn't worth it. Enjoy your life, but please don't take chances with your health in the process. 

As soon as I recover, I will get back to creating.  In the meantime, I will be visiting all my favorite blogs to see what you've been creating. 

Have a great week and take good care of yourselves!

Merilee

6 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness - you have had a tough time of it my friend. My MIL suffers from Asthma and over the years she has had some scarey attacks. Watching her try to take a breath during an episode reminds me to not take our health for granted. Happy to hear that you are on the road to recovery and look forward to seeing your wonderful work again soon. Take care of yourself ♥

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    1. Thank you, Tanya! I can't wait to feel like myself again. I've been enjoying seeing all of your creations--especially the darling little chick in the cracked egg. So cute! :o)

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  2. oh... Merilee.. i am so very sorry read this posting. One of my children has Asthma as well and as i do not know how it really must feel like not being able to breath, i know how scary it must be.
    He sometimes cries so much he is worried that he will die it breakes my heart.
    You must have had a bad bad week if you actually ran a fever. Please feel better soon and take care of yourself!

    sending you warm hugs
    Claudia

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    1. Thank you for thinking of me, Claudia. I hope your son is okay. Poor little fella. I'm sending you and he my thoughts and prayers that his asthma will get better over time.
      Merilee xoxo

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  3. I've missed you, my friend, and am glad to hear you're on the mend. I cannot believe what has happened. My heart goes out to you!

    La-Vie

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