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Every healthy kid tends to think he is immune to ever having a sickness or a serious medical concern. My early life as a child and teenager was no different. I loved to play sports like baseball, hockey, soccer, riding my bike or any physical activity that kept me busy. I had constant energy that would burn forever. Then at 18 yrs.old, tragedy struck me without a warning!

I contacted a flu strain which turned into a serious viral pneumonia in my lungs that just wouldn't go away. Consultations with countless doctors,internists, two nose polyp operations, visits to allergists and respirologists, the pursuit of just controlling my nemesis was on. So much pain through all those sleepless nights and frequent attacks. Every 2 weeks in the hospital, then back home. It was so hard on my parents, especially my mother, who was so diligent. Tests, x-rays, needles, pills, inhalers, and serums, nothing seemed to help.
Breathing was a chore, a hardship. I sometimes counted my inhales and exhales. There was no harsh coughing or sinusitus, just persistant wheezing. My heart pounded. My lungs were inflamed, swollen in the bronchial tubes cutting off oxygen, and I was breathing with the top 25% of my lungs. For many years, I was being prescribed prednisone (which I sometimes totally depended on), a long-acting theophyilline, and as well many different steroid inhalers. These medications helped me to survive the daily grind. I always remained physically active in many sports like hockey or softball.
Thirty-seven years ago I thought my life was over and I was going to be in a wheelchair or iron lung. Now, I live a very healthy life. I worked hard to be well again. I did plenty of research about my disease and never, ever gave up to be strong again. The trips to the gym regularly to row, ride the stationary bike, and lift light weights, gave me plenty of exercise. Drinking lots of water, vegetarian diets, no granulated white sugar, salt, raw garlic with fish oils is a daily regime.
Today, I have been fortunate enough to worked over 30 years at the same place and am retired. I am 60 yrs. old, still take meds;an Advair inhaler, the long acting Theophyilline, and Spiriva. Luckily, we had great medical benefits, I went to work every day, and I learned to live with asthma. I never gave up to be strong again. People ask me my age, and they can't believe the shape I am in. I tell them " Live your life, and don't let anything stand in your way".

Learn more about this author, Douglas Robbins.
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