‘Lenny’ is my constant companion the doctors call COPD/Asthma.  Naming my constant health companion seems to make life easier for me in relating to my disease as it gives it a bit of a personality.  Besides treating ‘Lenny’ as a companion, come good days or bad, is much better than always dealing with it as an enemy.

Ok, so now let’s talk about “‘Lenny’ and Me 4 Today”.

Those of us who do battle in world of COPD/Asthma are fully aware of the number one thing to look for when we have a flare up, or for me ‘Lenny’ gets antsy and throws at least a bit of a curveball at my day.

That’s right, we look for the trigger that set the battle into motion.  What was it, was it dust, was it something we ate, was it somebody’s cologne or perfume or was it just something that was in the air that maybe we didn’t even notice at the time.

Here in the United States we are crossing the interchange of life between winter and spring, which means the trees are starting to bud, flowers beginning to leaf out and of course yards being worked on.

For me, I used to love working in the yard and took pride in fixing up yards around a couple of homes we owned.  I was a strong believer that anyone can do it themselves with the help of ‘Scott’s’ and the sequential run of a variety of turf builder elements.

And that is where the ‘frustration flare up’ arrives on the scene, as we have yard issues and I for one would to get out there and do the work myself – you know have control of the outcome.

Unfortunately, my constant companion ‘Lenny’ does not care for more than about five minutes of strong physical work like that and I find the two of us arguing over whether I will allow a full-fledged attack or if I will stop before the flare-up gets out of control and my oxygen level drops to those unsafe numbers below 90.

Now my wife can do some of it, she already does the mowing, but her knowledge and patience with yardwork is limited and working two jobs while watching over me and spending weekends caring for a grandson with Asperger’s leaves her plate already full.

So today I did talk with a local yard contractor who uses the Scott’s Turf Builder program and he had some great ideas on how to fix the front yard but this will cost us and while we can swing it at least this season to get the yard going in the right direction – it leaves me very frustrated.

But then I come in the house and when my eye catches the serenity prayer hanging on the wall, I realize that this is one of those things I need to accept that I cannot change and I cannot do yardwork anymore, at least like I would like to.

So, another round with a ‘frustration flare up’ has been averted, which in turn will keep ‘Lenny’ from acting up as he does and all is well again at least for the rest of today.

And that my friends, is where ‘Lenny’ (my COPD/Asthma) and me are at 4 today.

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 good breathing, is a person without a good life’, so let’s do what we can, to learn what we can, to improve what we can.

I bid to all – smiles, prayers, blessings and steady breathing – Mr. William.

Follow all the on going adventures of “‘Lenny’ and Me 4 Today” at wheezingaway.com or on Facebook at COPD Travels.

(Copyright@2017, CrossDove Writer through wheezingaway.com – no part of this write may be used or copied without written permission.)

NOTES: 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.