Yes I continue my daily battle with my sidekick ‘Lenny’ (the name I have given my COPD/Asthma) and for me part of my therapy of sorts is to put into words how my battle may be going and then sharing it openly as part of what I call my responsibility.
That responsibility for my battle is to talk about my travels with ‘Lenny’ and share with others with the hope that maybe, just maybe, I will reach even one other person whom may read what I share and realize they are not alone.
Today I once again share where I am at and maybe how I may or may not be dealing with life and my own COPD/Asthma Travels.
As I have posted here previously my life is in a midst of some changes as I have finally found a part-time job (although it could easily have full-time hours) which along with a major bump in the road involving ‘Lenny’ has my week riding the good, the bad and even some ugly of my COPD travels.
Let’s get the ugly out of the path first and that ugly came last Saturday morning as I was attempting to go from my car to a brunch honoring a couple of good friends being inducted into a local small college athletic hall of fame.
Well somewhere, somehow, something made my sidekick ‘Lenny’ decide it was time get rowdy and throw out possible the worst case of dyspnea I have battled in over two years and it happens when I am like 30-yards from my car. I slowly, very slowly made my way back to my car, took a couple of hits from my rescue inhaler and starting cussing ‘Lenny’ – though I quickly realized that getting upset would only make things worse.
Did I panic – no.
Did I get mad – only for a moment (and not at ‘Lenny’ as much as knowing I would miss my friends).
Did I reach for help – yes, rescue inhalers can be awesome if you let them.
Did I reach out for help – almost though I did call and talk to my wonderful wife who helped keep me calm and reminded me to concentrate on breathing.
Did I go for help – no, but it did cross my mind.
Did I get scared – yes, possible for the first time in over two years I could honestly say my future felt in doubt and it scared the hell out of me.
Thankfully after somewhere between 10-15 minutes I was breathing well enough to drive myself home, where I crashed into my recliner and stayed for most of the rest of the daylight hours.
The ‘Bad’ was that same day as I did push myself to go to an alumni basketball game for the opportunity to see my friends – but I know I paid a price as my body crashed and burned leaving me feeling physically exhausted until Monday morning, it always amazes me how a bout of bad breathing can wear a body out so quickly.
The whole event reminded of them days as a kid when I would have a really bad asthma attack, get better but suffer exhaustion and sometimes a really bad headache afterwards.
Needless to say I did get in to see my physician and now I have been put on some new inhaler called ‘Breo Ellipta’ – if anybody knows about it I look forward to hearing.
The ‘Good’ of my week has been the new part-time writing job as it has given me a sense of real purpose plus a little extra income to help with expenses of living. While the job is part-time and being a writer does not sound strenuous I do have to watch my getting out and about, but one plus with the job is I can do much of it from the comfort and health of my own home.
I do have to work this good into a schedule though as I have allowed it to nearly overtake my daily travels and that means allowing it to put my other writings, photography and art/craft works to the back burner – trust me when I say the schedule is being tweaked, dissected and rehashed to get back on track for my other projects.
And that my friends is where ‘Lenny’ (my COPD/Asthma) and me are at 4 today.
*** CONTINUE PRAYERS AND BLESSINGS FOR KAYCIE CHAPMAN ***
NOTE TO REMEMBER: Sometimes we share what may seem like medical information, but we are only giving descriptions and highlights of various aspects of having COPD and/or asthma and no way do we ever want our information to be considered medical treatment type of information, always consult your physician for more, clearer and more medical founded information.
As always – if you or anyone you know have any symptoms involving lung and breathing functionality, and they linger over and over while disrupting a lifestyle – then please ask questions and get it checked out.
Remember – a person without breathing is a person without life itself.
I bid to all – smiles, prayers, blessings and steady breathing – Mr. William.
(Copyright@2015, CrossDove Writer through wheezingaway.com)
(Image used cleared by written permission for use by CrossDove Photography)
DISABILITIES DAILY 
Breo Ellipta is a very similar formulation to Anoro Ellipta. Truly a wonder drug, but please keep an eye on your complications, and surprising exhaustion level.
Everyone picks their own poison, and I loved, loved, loved Anoro until I hated it (about 3 weeks). I won’t stress you out anout listing all the potential side effects. If you wanted to know them, you’d look them up.
However, I will ask that you track your daily patterns to see if it’s helping, or if the help you’re getting isn’t worth the side effects / risk.
In my case, the medicine made me feel like a million bucks. Until it didn’t. I developed a worsening side effect of exhaustion, where I could go and go and go… Then I was forced to stop and nap. Literally, no choice.
My armchair theory was that Anoro was using up my reserves faster than I was able to read the signs, and it was exhausting me harder and faster.
I hope you don’t have those side effects, however, as you still drive and I had two accidents within a week if each other, please be careful. The exhaustion is something we tend to deny and bull our way through, however, if we screw up behind the wheel, we run the risk of hurting others.
Yes, I’m still driving. But no, I’m no longer on Anoro.
Do what works for you, and I’m so glad the medicine is one that is working for you. I’ve heard good things about Breo Ellipta.