Chapter 2 - Lily’s Asthma Was Not Usually Dramatic
Lily was diagnosed at four after what I thought was:
a stubborn winter cough.
She had no dramatic first attack.
No ambulance.
No collapse.
She coughed every night for several weeks.
Sometimes after running.
Sometimes after laughing hard.
Our pediatrician referred us to pulmonology.
Testing and history supported:
asthma.
Mostly triggered by:
viral infections,
cold air,
heavy exercise,
seasonal allergies.
She used a controller inhaler during certain periods and carried albuterol as her rescue medication.
The pulmonologist taught her early:
“Your inhaler is not a punishment or prize.”
“If your chest feels tight and your plan says use it, you use it.”
By seven, Lily knew:
wheeze,
tight chest,
hard breathing,
when to ask for help.
She also knew albuterol made her hands:
a little shaky
sometimes.
She hated:
the taste.
This mattered because Lily did not use it for:
fun.
When she asked for it, I generally believed:
something felt wrong.
But school introduced a different problem.
Children do not always describe symptoms neatly.
Sometimes Lily said:
“I can’t breathe”
when she actually meant:
I am anxious.
Sometimes anxiety made asthma worse.
Sometimes asthma made her anxious.
Doctors had explained:
both can happen.
Mrs. Grayson preferred:
one answer.
Attention.
May you like
That preference became dangerous.
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