Roger's Life with Asthma

I started my young life in and out of Henry Ford Hospital (Detroit main) with asthma attacks. Back then the only way they knew how to control it was to keep me hydrated with I.V's, give me prednisone, and keep me in an oxygen tent for weeks on end. This went on for several years with brief stays at home to which I had to stay in my dust free room and only come out to eat.

As the years went on the doctors found it hard to keep me stable and suggested in 1972 that I go and live at a children's asthma research institute hospital called C.A.R.I.H. As I arrived January 10th 1972 w/ Mom and grandma in tow I remember checking in at the office but don't remember much after that because of an attack. I stayed 2 years and then came back home.

My life has been a struggle but manageable with medications for asthma and A-topic dermatitis however, any slight allergy, cold or flu would set off an attack or a bout of the itchies. Although I have millions of stories I am going to tell just this one.

One day our neighbor came over and set a plate on our kitchen counter and said it was for my Dad. It looked real good, sorta like fried chicken. I was so hungry that day that I thought to myself "Oh' Dad won't miss a piece" and I took one and went in the other room and took a bite. A few seconds later, I feel to my knees gasping for air. Everyone was yelling but I couldn't hear what they were saying. All I remember was Dad picking me up and running me out to the ambulance. It seemed like forever to get to the hospital. When I woke up the doctors told me I had an allergic reaction to the fish. I've never toughed it again.

In my teen years I started rebelling and hanging out with the goof balls and smoking. I am now 50 y/o and finding that my C.O.P.D. is getting worse. I guess it's time to stop rebelling and let it go. IF I want to live! :)

God Bless!