Breathing lessons
Oh my God. It's so frigid cold today that as soon as I left my house, my lungs began to contract and spasm. Naturally, I didn't have my inhaler with me, and I knew if I walked back home, I wouldn't make it without having a major asthma attack. So I stood waiting for the bus with my hand against my mouth, trying to breathe through my nose, which did help a bit. When I came out of the train station, I walked very slowly up the stairs, trying to keep everything from falling apart, breathing-wise.
Funny thing is, when I have an asthmatic moment like that, I always get terrified. Not being able to breathe is such a paralyzing experience. Every single time I think, "I'm going to die." And every single time I think, "I don't want to die like this. I have to organize my papers first." Seriously.
[Confidential to Jess S.: Stay home today, girl. It's horrible out there.]
Comments
Hey LS,
I remember years back getting hit with a softball right in the gut, knocking my wind out. My gasping was so intense for the next 30 seconds (though it seemed like a lifetime) that it completely eclipsed the fear I had experienced during my worst panic attack ever. And a think an asthma attack must be so much worse....
Dennis
Posted by: Dennis | January 26, 2007 12:35 PM
after my bike ride to work this morning, i had to pull out my inhaler as well.
Posted by: july | January 26, 2007 03:58 PM