WEATHER, ANEMIA, & SQUIRELS

By William – for wheezingaway.com

          TODAY – I am having a decent day; my breathing is well.

          In fact, I have had my oxygen off for a few hours after the oximeter read 99 at a mid-morning check.

          I know I will be okay as long as I stay in the house and do not press myself too much with physical work.

          So, wish I could say the same for my anxiety, it seems to be acting up more than normal but not extreme – yet.

Let me take a look at what may be causing a bit of extra anxiety.

……  One, we have an adult daughter coming back to her home after another run at alcohol recovery. Between drugs and alcohol, she has been through recovery rehab something like 20 times – we hope this time it lasts more than a few days.

……. Two, my doctor’s office called with a follow up on lab work done. While nearly everything looks pretty good and my blood sugar levels continue to level out, they have a concern on my iron level and anemia. My iron level seems to be very low, and I have signs of anemia. Guess another prescription is in my plans as well as another doctor.

……. Three, my writing. As I continue to get my website covering life with a chronic illness and/or disability, I also am working on a couple of books, write sports for both a weekly and monthly newspaper plus have a website covering small school sports in the area. We have state basketball tournaments this week, spring sports previews due and it is almost overwhelming.

…… Four, the weather is crazy. Yesterday it was near 80, again today the same but the next few days 50 and 62 with lots of wind. We have a stretch of five days coming up beginning with Saturday where the high temp is supposed to be 74, 50, 42, 57, 66, with one day being very windy. Not the kind of weather that is kind to a person with lung and breathing issues.

I have eaten a couple times today and as always keep a 28-oz. mug of ‘dirty’ water to sip on. (I call it dirty water as I always use a touch of both lemonade and grape water enhancer drops to give it a bit of taste. The side affect is they turn the water dirty looking.)

          The past few days since my last posting of a ‘Snaz and I for Today’ have been busy.

          Yesterday I got my highly expensive bi-weekly Xolair shot to help with allergies and asthma. Been getting these shots for most of the past six years and they seem to help with most allergies.

          My past few days gave me an example of why I work at helping others become of aware of living with a chronic illness as I have had moments of near panic (when struggling to get ready for a doctor appointment), depression (when thinking of an adult child who wants nothing to do with me), and of course the continued concern of general health now being anemic with low iron.

          Guess what – I woke up this morning able to see the sky, grass, my adorable wife, and my puppy Frosty Lou. While I took time to un stiff my joints in the morning, at least I am able to do so.

          Oh, the reference to squirrels comes from the numerous times Frosty Lou will go crazy when one enters his territory, better know as our backyard. He loves to chase them, and they love to go back outside our chain link fence and smile at him.

          Today, around all the busyness I had I still found time to be grateful for living past the age of 69 and still have my eyesight, my breathing, my use of legs, arms, and all plus the ability to smell.

          And that is about where Snaz and I are for this day of March 10, 2026.

           Until next time, I hope all is well and all is well with all.

          With that, I bid to all – smiles, prayers, blessings, and steady breathing – SHALOM, William

          ALWAYS REMEMBER (because I have COPD and severe Asthma) – 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.       

    (Snaz and I for Today is COPYRIGHTED@2026 for wheezingaway.com and CrossDove Writers – no part of this