ESOPHAGUS, LARYNX & INHALERS

By William (for wheezingaway.com)

          This is my continuing story of walking life with a constant companion called chronic illness (who I have named Snaz) and how it affects all I do.

          Each time I discuss How I Got Here, and Where I Am Today followed by a few Reflections of Gratitude and a Plan for The Man!!

          My biggest issues that I walk with daily are my lungs (both severe Asthma and COPD), ADD (attention deficit disorder), and fatigue.

HOW I GOT HERE:

          Let me tell you something, I was born without an esophagus. Instead, when I swallowed or attempted to – everything went directly into one of my lungs.

          Lucky me, Dr. Thomas Donovan, one of the leaders in lung and heart issues of the day was new to my hospital in Hartford, Connecticut and diagnosed me within hours after I was born and found drowning on any formula given to me.

          Within a few hours my tiny little body was sliced open, and a new esophagus was formed and stretched down to the spot it belonged at the top of my stomach.

          Folks, that is where I truly believe my lung issues began, because I cannot believe that the formula flowing directly into my lung did not cause damage and issues from hour number one of my walk in life.

          Another issue that I have is I have a partially paralyzed larynx.

          How many are old enough to remember being treated for any lung issue with an aerosol inhaler??       

My physician for my days of high school and college in Minnesota was Dr. Hesla, and he determined that my issue with my voice box came from the large amount of aerosol inhalers I used over my first twenty years of life fighting off asthma issues.

          Nobody ever told us to rinse our mouth and throat out immediately after using an aerosol inhaler back in those days – maybe it would have helped.

          These days I begin my days with a nebulizer version of Breztri to clear my lungs out in the mornings. It takes about 25 minutes to inhale a combination of yupelri (revefenacin), budesonide, and arformoteral tartrate plus a short run of lung exercises and I can be good for the day depending of course on weather, and anxiety.

          For those paying attention, I still have a mist inhaler of Breztri for those days I am too busy for the nebulizer or am traveling.

WHERE I AM TODAY:

          Today was a good day, I got several things written for the local weekly newspaper as well as my area high school sports website.

          Did I go outside, no, but should have. It was a cool, mid-30’s type of day without a heavy breeze, a good type of weather day for me.

          Trying not to stress about the weather changes coming up where within 48 hours we will have a five day stretch of 75-88 degree days. Oh, I dislike hot weather.

          The weekend I came out of was good as well, and for me good is when I have no major or high minor breathing issues and my heart pumps along without any bumps or worries.

REFLECTIONS of GRATITUDE:

          As always, I am very grateful to wake up somewhat refreshed and able to take a breath, view the amazing blue sky and white puffy clouds, see nature beginning to rise from the doldrums of winter and enjoy a sunrise.

          I am eternally grateful for friends such as Ray Muehlhausen, one of the guys in the neighborhood living three doors down from me on Delhay Drive. We have known each other for now close to 60 years. When I talked with him today about his older brother Glen passing, we talked about the pains of getting old and laughed about the football games in my dad’s front yard where the fifty yard line was a sidewalk, one sideline was the street and street signs, the other my house complete with sticky shrubs. It is always a time of gratitude to have for friends as such.

PLAN FOR THE MAN:

          Same as most other days, work hard at getting some exercise each day, eating properly and just enjoying the day before me.

          I do know I have writing to be done and household projects to plan and do while the better half is home during spring break from the school she works at.

          Looks like it is time to get my 28-oz. mug of ‘dirty water’ refilled and get on toward the bedroom for some quality time with my ‘Dreamweaver’.

          So that is it with where Snaz & I are for this day of March 16/17, 2026.

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

          My 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 & I for Today is COPYRIGHTED@2026 for wheezingaway.com and CrossDove Writers – no part of this article can be duplicated or shared without written permission.)