Many apologies to the lot of you. I am such a terrible host to my readers and Google researchers. I do have a valid excuse though. I’ve been very…very sick since Monday.
About 3AM Tuesday morning, I awoke unable to catch my breath. I gasped for breath but was unable to get any air to my lungs. In a panic, I fell out of bed and slammed my head against the frigid oak flooring of the bedroom. In the pale moonlight, I frantically searched through the drawers of the bedside table, only realising that my emergency inhaler was in the kitchen.
Still, I could not get any oxygen to my lungs. I felt as though I was breathing through a straw, if something that large. I rolled over, still surrounded by bedding, and crawled hastily towards the kitchen. For every few feet that I’d advance towards the kitchen, I’d have to stop and pant and wheeze and cough. After a few minutes, I finally made my way across the cold charcoal grey slate tiles that I had laid myself.
On hands and knees, I found the inhaler in the cupboard. I used it several times, until I was able to catch my breath enough to stand. While shaking from adrenaline and fright, I clutched the thermometer and proceeded to take my temperature. “103.4”, it beeped and read, as I swayed from side to side and laughed.
While trying to pour water for tea, I observed the morning dew settling on the windowsill with a blueish hue. I put the water on to boil and picked some parsley from the flowerpot next to the window.
“You will not defeat me today or any other, Asthma”, I slurred whilst chewing on the herb and laughing and wobbling.
Overtaken by fever, I crashed to the slate tiles.
Hours later, I was awakened in a cold sweat by the mobile chanting its rhythmic tune. I struggled, falling twice, whilst pulling myself to the counter. My head was pounding its own rhythmic tune, as I answered the phone.
It was my Uncle checking up on me. He could tell that I was in bad shape over the phone, so I was rushed to the doctors. They poked and prodded and asked questions. After a quick examination, the doctor over my case, a comely lady doctor, tried her best to convince me to go to the hospital. I didn’t budge from my stance.
Ten years ago, I went into the hospital because of an atrocious asthma attack, and on several occasions, I almost came out in a box. Hospital doctors treat their patients like lab rats, trying this and that, not caring of the consequences. In fact, I know doctors that take bets on who will kill over next. What ever happened to the Hippocratic oath?
I convinced the doctor that I could mend myself and would be much better off without the hospital accountant sticking it to me.
Tis now Friday morning, and I am much better. I reckon I’ve coughed up both lungs and a few other unmentionables, but I’m doing a lot better. I tried to write on Wednesday, Blog Action Day (BAD acronym for such a good cause), but was unable due to constant coughing and hacking.
It is strange and ironic that I needed the emergency inhaler that I almost threw away a few days before the incident. I’ve not had a severe attack in years, so I thought that it was a thing of the past. There was nobody to blame except myself. I knew that I was highly allergic to ragweed and that October is the worst month for it here, yet I chose to work around it everyday. I felt terrible Monday but brushed it off as just a bad day for the old nose.
It’s funny how the tiniest, even microscopic, things can take us down. We should respect/fear nature far more than our fellow man. But, wherever there is something to harm us, there is something to heal us.
That’s enough ramblin’ from me folks. I’m off to catch up on some sleep. Have a grand Friday and weekend all. I leave you with the most uproarious man on the planet. He really missed his calling as a comedian. 
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OK Second go at leaving a comment. I STRONGLY disagree with you about hospitalisation when it comes to asthma. Get in, get your Atrovent, Ventolin and Oxygen and a goodly dose of prednisolone. Clare was hospitalised three times after four hourly nebulisers didn’t work and I can’t speak highly enough of the care and urgency with which her case was treated. If you can’t breathe you need a hospital. They’re not there to kill you for goodness sake! Ask your GP about desensitisation. You need a prick test for a variety of allergens (haha I said prick) once identified, you receive small injections of the allergen over a long period of time and build resistance. Clare’s friend Mitch did this last year and now, no asthma, no allergies, no itches. Half the problem with asthma is panic . . when you’re short of breath . . no ventolin . .you get in a spin so keep it with you all the time . .you may find you rarely need to use it. Or you could move to Anchorage, or Greenland.
That all sounds very frightening JD.
Now listen to GM: DO AS BAINO SAYS!
Carry the spray at all times. I do, mine is not for asthma, but it has certainly saved me from trips to hospital.
Be sensible, we only got one life!
JD,
You’ll need the Ventolin in Ireland in February, between the dampness and the pollution of the Dublin traffic, it is a bad place to be. I was told taht I had used my Ventolin four times during supper at a friend’s house last night. I felt like suggesting that it was impolite of anyone to notice!
@Baino Thank you for all of the lovely suggestions. I know doctors are not out to kill me…most of them anyway.
@Grannymar Will do and thanks.
@Ian Thank you. It was impolite of them to say that! I reckon none of them have asthma?
Oh poor JD! What a horrible attack of the furry beast – I don’t know why but asthma always seems furry to me… perhaps that’s because that’s how one’s lungs feel while the beast has it’s evil party. Freankly, I can’t say I blame you for not wanting to go to hospital – but you should keep your spray close to hand – and for goodness sake, stay away from that ragweed!
And be much, much better really soon!
By the way, Ian’s right, I had mild asthma in SA but when I moved to the UK and Ireland I was wedded to my Ventolin. Now, back in SA, I use it maybe once a year!
yer a bunch of wheezers!
You’re just feeling left out, Baino!
@AV. I couldn’t agree more. It does feel like a furry beast. It’s like inhaling a massive amount of fiberglass or something similar. An irritant aggregate.
As for as weather goes, we have temperature extremes in the fall which only adds to breathing problems. Last week, it went from 25°C in the afternoon to 1°C in the evening. That’s a drastic drop. Thank you for the advice. 
I am sorry for not commenting back until now. I didn’t realise how far behind I was on work and what not, until I got better. 
@Baino yer a whino…so am I! Now you don’t feel left out.
Thanks ladies and gent for all of the wonderful advice and cheering up.