My experience with asthma

As I have mentioned before in my blogs, I have asthma. I wanted to share my story and my understanding of asthma, something I still have yet to learn all I can about it.  Asthma is definitely a different ballpark as adult, especially with managing treatment and making sure I stay healthy to avoid any further issues. I have also learned asthma goes hand in hand with my allergy/sinus issues that I have had - another lesson learned at camp.

So - I have had asthma since I was a child - it was written in my baby book about hospital visits for respiratory issues, including asthma as baby/toddler. However, I was a healthy child with the exception of pink eye, hives, and other minor issues.  There were a few instances in my childhood where I can easily say I was asthmatic. When I was still in early elementary school, I remember we lived in house that had black mold - my sister was super sick (she was a preemie and had asthma) and I had a constant cough until we moved.  I also would get out of breath easily when doing a lot of running and coughed when I laughed a lot.  However, it was never enough to even need a nebulizer or rescue inhaler. I had mild allergies growing up to detergents, wool, and seasonal allergies.  

By the time I was in middle school - I noticed allergic tendencies.  The earliest I can recall was in seventh grade, my sister and I had hamsters in our room.  During that time frame, I had a constant runny nose, sneezing, and severe congestion to the point my nose was raw and doctors thought it was a sinus infection.  The issues ended when we got rid of the hamsters out of the room.  I also developed nosebleeds around the end of middle school.  Right around my eighth-grade graduation, I started to have allergy symptoms [seasonally]- which at first I thought was a virus but not with itchy eyes and throat/nose. 

High school was about the time I noticed I had allergies to random but things. One of the things I was allergic was my friend's Pekingese-Pomerian mix dog.  I would have a multitude of reactions every time I was at her house, from itching ear/throats, congestion, to feeling like I had a cold.  But I didn't react that way to all dogs.  I also noticed it with cats too. And in 10th/11th grade, I noticed I had these weird sinus 'headaches' - these would happen in the spring when I would have a week or two of allergy symptoms (mainly congestion for me). I would have so much pressure in my face/ears and would have post nasal drip that would make me feel like throwing up  (NOT BE CONFUSED WITH MIGRAINES OR HEADACHES - I didn't there was a difference til recently). 

During the latter half of my senior year of high school was when I noticed the coughing in patterns. I remember having a cold and coughing so hard that I lost my voice... and someone made the comment that it sounded like I had bronchitis or something of that sort.  During the fall of 2012, I noticed I had a horrible cough (looking back it was after raking leaves - which I never did before and during the rain outer bands we had from Hurricane Sandy) for about a little over a week. I also had no voice and congestion - which lead me to use Vapor Rub to help me breath... This made me feel like I could not breath at all - quite opposite of what it is supposed to do... and shortly after I was in the bathroom at church struggling to breath from a halls cough drop... that was how I found out I had issues with menthol. (I can't even be around someone with it) Then I had a mild flu - during which I had a wicked, constant cough that actually hurt... leading me think asthma.  After the new year of 2013 - I noticed that I felt like I had "sinusitis" everytime I got sick. 

Fast forward to living with my "adopted" parents. We were at the track one day and I decided to run - and T asked the question, "are you asthmatic - you were wheezing when you ran." I didn't think anything of it, but I did noticed my chest hurt and I coughed a bit when I ran... So, in the fall I mentioned this to my doctor and he said it was exercised induced asthma.  I had the original peak flow meter tests done and nothing was out of the ordinary {at the time}. I was given a script for ProAir and encouraged to cut some foods out of my diet to maybe ease any allergies that I had. Well, I went back every so often for a new script on ProAir.  

During the next couple of years, I noticed I had sinus pressure and congestion in the spring/fall and had a couple of summers where I had horrible colds that were possibly sinus infections in retrospect. During a couple of summers, I was sick with these "colds,"  I would develop a wicked cough that wouldn't ease up. This would only last a week or two at most. Others also noticed wheezing or how out of breath I would be just from walking up steps. An instance: One of my classes had a trip to the vet's office where the owner's cat was walking around freely. I noticed after that trip I was all itchy and congested and a mild cough but nothing as bad as the past - but Dr. H noticed I was also wheezing when I coughed... During all this time she always asked me if I had my [stupid] red inhaler on me in case anything happened (and she definitely was a mom haha - she worried constantly about me having an issue) and my friend even made me a calligraphy sign with "Bring your inhaler" to put on my door to remember. I definitely had no idea how much damage not having treatment can do.

However, in December 2015, I had a virus that led to a cough after I went on winter break... I used my inhaler many times but I still had a cough - and eventually developed a sinus infection (notice a pattern yet?). I remember coughing so bad I was out of breath but was too scared to say anything... I saw the doctor that spring and just heard "if you are using a rescue inhaler a month - then worry" and was given a script for more ProAir.  In May 2016, I developed a horrible cough AGAIN! All I had for a week was a cough, in which I tried everything! I had tried Robitussin, Mucinex, my inhaler... Nothing helped ease my cough, the medicines actually worsened it and made me loopy. Along with a cough, I developed terrible congestion and lost my voice... was again probably a sinus infection that thankfully went away on its own. Thankfully, I was able to handle my internship in the heat and had minor issues (and I did disclose with C.S I was asthmatic - in case of anything happening). I did have an asthma attack during VBS, in which one of the people I was helping was a retired respiratory nurse. She saw I was having an attack and was understanding when I stepped out to use my inhaler.

Then in August, I started to cough AGAIN! I saw my doctor that came to visit the school. He listened to my lungs and told me I had a lot of congestion and wheezing and prescribed a short-term round of Predisone and plain mucinex. And one of my professors, Dr. C., had a priceless PSA to give to my roommate about me possibly being moody, hungry, etc. The prednisone eased the wheezing but not without side effects.  I was waking up every couple of hours, zoned out (made for a frustrating neuroscience lab because I was so out of it), and didn't seem to help much - I still coughed.  I also noticed I was struggling to sing, got out of breath just walking, breathing heavy during my sleep, and still had a cough... and all my friends noticed, my o.chem professor called me Typhoid Mary, and comments about going to get checked out - aye. Then I wound up sharing a cold with my friend - and it turned into a sinus infection - AGAIN! My cough actually dissipated after the sinus infection was treated with a z-pack and nasonex.  Then in November, we had the forest fires that were noticeable in our region of NC and I noticed that I was short of breath and actually had an instance where I almost blacked out before I took my inhaler and after told Dr. A.H since she was close by in case anything happened.  This was one of the moments where I realized I needed help managing it.

So, after the New Year I came home from my parents. Surprisingly I stayed healthy for the trip (after panic about the flu and such on the plane - I mean I hacked for two months straight - I wanted to stay healthy!) Then I started coughing AGAIN. T+T had a get together because of a surprise snowstorm we had and I was struggling to stop coughing, especially after being in the cold.  It was to the point, Ch. asked me why I was hacking --- which I was frustrated since I wasn't sick or anything.  I decided in vain attempt to ease a cough (including tea) but relief came soon enough.  So, I had an appointment scheduled at practice I went to, but with a Nurse Practitioner who specializes in asthma treatment... They did all the tests again - and I got worse with each time they did the peak flow meter. I HAD BEEN WALKING AROUND WITH AN LOW PFR!!! for months.  I also brought up the fact I got sinus infections easily and how I have swelling inside my nose - turns out I have a deviated septum. I thought it was interesting how it never showed up on previous tests but I had asthma. I also wonder about the allergy thing because my blood tests came back negative but apparently that is normal?!??  

I was prescribed Flovent - which works wonders, well except for when I am sick.  I learned this in March when I caught something viral on spring break.  I noticed right before I sang in front of the church my chest was tight and I needed to cough and took albuterol... didn't know if it was nerves or just illness.  I had coughed so much for about 10 days (along with a random fever and a red eye - which I get when I am sick) that my ribs hurt.  Thankfully, nothing was out of the ordinary when I went and got peak flow readings done except I had a virus and tonsilitis.  In addition to Flovent, I also have reduced my dairy intake and started incorporating more probiotics in my diet - which has helped my sinus issues A LOT!  I actually had a good 6 months of little to no asthma symptoms. 

I had a good six months of little to no asthma symptoms until I went off probiotics for a little while at camp and managed to get sick - not just a cold - but a STUPID SINUS INFECTION. So, in the beginning, I had the one-day fever, wicked runny nose and congestion, horrible nosebleeds, and sore throat - I took my maintenance meds normally and rescue inhaler as a precaution. When I finally went on the antibiotics, I eased back on my inhaler. However, I lost my voice and had some congestion but was getting better slowly.  Around the end of my round antibiotics, I noticed I started coughing badly and had an asthma attack in front of one of the kid's moms (whose own kid was running a fever and of course I had been sick)... I had several nights of symptoms - that I had clutched my inhaler closely.  One of the nights I woke up coughing that I had to take an extra dose of medicine after being on a night out... And the next night off, I had an attack that scared me A LOT! I didn't take my rescue inhaler because I wasn't in my right frame of mind. So when I got back to camp, I went to my cabin, alerted my cabin mates, walked down to the health center. It was definitely a surreal experience, my blood pressure was high, I was struggling to breathe, and of course scared. One of the nurses thought anxiety/panic attack until I explained the situation and the other one listened to my lungs... Of course, things were said like lungs rattling before albuterol, diminished looking, BREATH (I have so many thoughts on that on - haha), and of course that I clearly didn't want to be there.  So for the next few days I took my inhaler as needed... Having mice and cockroaches in the cabin were probably the culprits of the symptoms. I have had an increase in symptoms but NOTHING like lasts years two straight months of coughing. I do have some issues with exercise, a cough in the morning, some chest tightness, post nasal drip but it is manageable. I have also been using saline to see if it eases symptoms.

This leads me to my next adventure of needing to come up with a treatment plan with a new doctor during an annual physical. I had consultation meeting where my medical history, vitals, etc were done and they are aware of my asthma.  They also suspect allergies (as many medical professionals do with asthma) because of the post nasal drip and itchy eyes.  And I will see about adding a nasal spray or Singulair and go from there on being mindful of my asthma. 

I know this was a long post but I wanted to share my story. I am still learning what asthma is.  I know for me symptoms are a chronic, hacking cough, wheezing, and long last illnesses.  However, having an asthma attack for me means coughing nonstop, wheezing, tight chest, aching ribs, panic, and struggling to talk and breathe.  I take Flovent, a maintenance medicine to ease swelling in my bronchial tubes and Proventil for short acting rescue inhaler.  My inhaler makes me shaky when I don't have anything in my stomach and makes me cough when it opens my lungs - BUT IT helps. I keep dairy to a minimum - it causes me to feel "congested" in my sinuses and lungs, along with probiotics daily.  I am learning my triggers: stress, strong emotions (i.e. laughing, crying, anger), certain seasons - primarily late summer/fall, cold air, humidity, mold, apparently cockroaches/mice, sinus infections/illnesses, certain animals, exercise... etc. I also have to keep the lines of communication open about asthma - very few people knew before (literally 2 professors and a few friends)... my OWN family didn't realize I was coughing because of a chronic illness (It seemed like I was always sick) or that I was anxious (my parents didn't know how bad since I was 12+ hours away and didn't tell them when I had one in their house) - I hide it for a while until I realized I could potentially need to go to an ER if IT GETS BAD. 

Reflections on Health - what does it mean to be healthy?

During my time at camp, I met different people who did various things to be healthy, ranging from eating and drinking to yoga/breathing, to exercise. It was interesting to think about at a camp where the food is geared towards young children (think chicken nuggets, BLTs, grilled cheese, countless cookouts, etc.) with a salad bar and an area for those with food allergies/sensitivities. With this, I reflected on my own journey for achieving a healthier lifestyle and how it is for others.  I also saw many of the topics from some of my favorite college courses (health psychology and behavior modification) were important parts of other individual's lives.

I want to start by talking about my experience/reflection from the beginning of my college career... I ate horribly and of course had issues with the Freshmen 15+.  This was in part due to the fact that I was living on my own for the first time and the school's dining hall was buffet style. Surprisingly, I had the head knowledge of nutrition from my state's high school senior project, in which I focused on nutrition and the body - but failed to apply it to my own life (invincibility - got to love it). I noticed when I was not eating for my body - I had all sorts of issues.  I was having constant digestive issues that led me to visit the doctor/on campus dieticians and trying elimination diets.  For the latter half of my undergraduate career, I started changing the way I ate in various ways.  First off, I had a huge issue with soft drinks - which are loaded with sugar and other chemicals.  I finally found alternatives (I am forever thankful for taking behavior modification at the time) and weaned off of them.  I replaced them with sparkling water/seltzer and Mio. Along the way, I stopped eating fried/greasy foods, less dairy, more probiotics (bacteria is life - literally) and ate less but more often. Not perfect - but better. Since graduating and after working at the camp for two and half months- I want to continue to focus more on eating healthier and more organic as well as consuming less sugar (I kind of should give up my obsession with gummy candy). Camp food has taught me that I do appreciate eating healthy and home-cooked food and has encouraged me to focus on living healthier.

While I was at camp, I talked with M, who is an international gymnastics coach - who has an education in both chemistry and coaching.  We had various conversations about the microbiome, chemistry, and how our environment is impacted by our choices.  One of the interesting things that I noticed about him was that he drank hot water every day - even on the days were humid/hot.  When I asked him about drinking the warm water, he talked about the importance of the temperature of the water and how it affects our digestive system and overall our body thermostat.  He also discussed eating foods that help with the alkaline environment of the gut, something that is quite interesting.  One of the key examples he gave me was how it is better to drink lemon to ease heartburn rather than drink milk.  Which is weird to think about since we think of milk as basic and how it neutralizes the pH of our stomachs. He also talked about what he puts in his body affects the performance of the gymnasts that he coaches in various age groups. Along with him, I met another person who ate gluten free and vegetarian because it helped her feel better physically (and her son (one of the Peanuts campers) - actually ate salad - crazy to think about what promoting healthy foods at home can actually have an impact on child's diet).

Additionally, I learned from the European staff about the ways their diet is different from ours in the US. For example, they have larger breakfasts versus are sugary filled breakfast choices.  They also have smaller portions than we do in America.  It is interesting to think about how good food tastes that we tend to not notice how much we eat, especially when we are out at restaurants where they serve larger portions.

Also along with eating, exercise, listening to our bodies, and how we manage stress is important to our overall health.  This summer, I toned up just by walking around all over camp from early morning (also my cabin was down a hill), running after kids, constantly walking backward to keep an eye on the children that move in slow motion, and involvement in their activities.  It was amazing to feel the difference on the high-movement days versus the rainy day activities where the kids were at one place for extended time to avoid the rain.  With the constant activity, I felt more confident about myself, slept well, and felt good physically.

I learned a lot from one of my cabin mates, T.  T is a dance instructor (who also has a background in chemical engineering) and worked in the office at the camp.  Many of our conversations were centered around health, mindfulness, and life.  One of the things I noticed about her was that she was very aware of what her body needed and seemed really relaxed.  She went to bed early (most nights and some of the cabin teased her about this or if she was up late) and kept a regulated sleep schedule. She also did [dynamic] stretching and yoga most mornings and even ended up giving classes at 7 am in the morning to quite a few different people, myself included.  When she was instructing, she focused on the flow and breathing as one does with yoga and encouraged whoever she was teaching to notice how their body felt with each flow.  She also encouraged me repeatedly to listen to my body, especially when a lack of sleep and stress caught up with me and I fell sick for two weeks. This is something that is a struggle for many of us is that we don't know how to stop and relax or listen to our bodies. Mindfulness is an important thing and reaps many benefits if we do it.

With all this being said, we all have different ideas of what defines being healthy. Whether it is physical health, mental health, or both - we have what works for us.  I hope to explore more of these topics and utilize it in my own life as I am in the next stage of my life.

Gap Year Adventures: Post Camp

It's crazy to think about how this time last year I was getting ready for my last two semesters of college. This past year was a whirlwind but I have noticed changes in myself, especially in the last couple of months working at a camp where I literally knew nobody. I am also learning to let go and to be myself - even if people don't agree with my decisions or who I am.

For now, I am job searching for work that will allow for me to save money to be able to attend graduate school. However for the next few months - I have to work around driving classes/lessons three days a week.  It is a boring process, especially from being on-the-go at camp for two months and having busy semesters.  Graduate school might be the right decision to keep my mind stimulated and to further my passion for biology/environmental science (Especially with my recent conversations about tick/mosquito borne diseases, urges to look for mosquito larvae, and interest in learning about new things via NPR or random real life shows)

On the bright side, the internship that I had as an undergrad with pollutiondetectives.org has led into being asked how much I wanted for hourly pay... so I am officially a freelance writer/editor! For now, I am figuring out the linguistics of pay and taxes - but it is pretty cool to think that I am able to fulfill my childhood dream of being a writer. 

Top three things I learned at Camp

1. Expect the unexpected (not quite sure how to phrase that - but it works).  This summer was filled with bear warnings, unwanted mice in the cabin, flying cockroaches, cicadas molting, and plenty of rainy, cold summer days... Aside from the unexpected things of nature - kids can always surprise you... both good and bad (including crying, falling down, walking in slo-mo, random naps, snot, crazy voices, trying new foods (especially when the child is a picky eater - score for clif bars, apples, and egg rolls), and always persisting on how they need ice pops)
2. How to problem solve - I had to hand wash my clothes after the spin cycle conked out on the washer several times. Along with the practical side of life - you need to problem solve with kids - this summer there was many victories: including diverting a tantrum, tactics on how to get a kid to eat new food, positive reinforcement, and getting them to activities on time (even when they act like they haven't slept in years)
3. How to laugh at situations.  Camp was draining and things didn't always go according to plan - but it was easy to find humor in things.  This was more of a personal experience - but humor always helped make situations lighter and more bearable. However, that is my general approach to life. 

Adventures at Kenmont/Kenwood Camp - summer 17

"Throw me in the deep end and I can swim a lot further than I [ever] thought" - Billie Whiles

So in May, I found out about Kenmont/Kenwood while searching (on Indeed) for jobs in Connecticut, where I was relocating after graduation.  I saw other summer camps, but after going on Kenmont/Kenwood's website - I felt like it truly was the place for me [to work] - and was excited to have received the email and a successful Skype interview.

On June 8th, I arrived in the afternoon and instead of settling in - I chose to go on the staff night out. At the time, it was only the water-front and ropes staff that were spending a couple of weeks training (and in cold temperatures nonetheless) and I was beyond myself with nerves.  I was intrigued to meet different people from various places in Europe, South Africa, and Austraila. They never visited Walmart before (and of course - I think of the people of Walmart on FB) and they were surprised by the portions and food that were offered at an Italian restaurant on Main Street.  This was the first of many night off adventures.  The first week I watched staff kids and boy - I was not prepared for being with them the whole day and being with that age group. Also, during this week I moved in a staff cabin with 8 other girls, plus those who came in for short periods of time,  Additionally, I got to help with Preview Day and got the opportunity to meet the "Peanuts" I would be working with the rest of the summer.

Then there was orientation week - - - more of the staff came: general counselors, division leaders, head specialists, so on.  As a Peanut counselor (and nonbunking staff) I started my job during this week.  This was the week - I decided to challenge myself and go out on a limb and sing at a talent show IN FRONT OF 250 - 300 people.  I never thought it would happen, but I did it.  Hallejuah by Pentatonix will always have my heart at the camp. I also was introduced to the three kiddos: K, H, and T.  This was the week I finally got the idea of what camp was about - the community of the kids and staff.  I could feel it when the girl campers/staff would come together, stand on chairs, and sing "Jump, Shake your booty on the chair," among various other songs and chants.

We did not have the three of them together until the end of June, but getting to know these kids was awesome.  As Peanuts counselors we took them to various activities, played with them, and of course, all the other work that comes with this age group (so, snot, throw-up, crying, etc.). They were mini-campers so to speak.  Along with learning the ropes of the kids, there were issues that had to be sorted out and various changes that were challenging at times, but the kids made my day repeatedly. The first session with the kids, there was a lot of UNO games (K was a very sly kiddo), swings, drawing, soccer, and frisbee. K and H looked like they could easily be in the movie, "Little Rascals" and were so adorable together.  T looked up to both of these boys and pursued the same activities and play as these guys.  I will never forget all the laughing, playing, and love the three of them had for each other.  This was the session where the camp had "large chipmunk" codes - where we had to make sure the kids were inside when there were bears roaming around camp. And being from NC, I never thought there would be bear warnings - but then again Kent is very rural/wooded.

Second session was a bit of whirlwind. In the beginning of the session, I was essentially the only counselor (with help) for a couple of days - and it was by far the most challenging time.  But I was able to prove to myself I could do it.  Then a few days into the session a new co-counselor comes in - and I was beyond grateful for the help - during the point where I was completely exhausted.  Especially when I spent all day (his first full day) in the cabin with a 101 F fever --- from that point on proceeded to develop an awful sinus infection and laryngitis - later with my asthma completely flared up. It was interesting second session - there were more activities and adventures.  We literally stopped by the health center a lot to get T ice-pops (so much we had to spell it out).  Also, at every activity - T and H found ways to play hide and seek (in theatre, yoga, rock-n-roll) and even hiding in the craziest of places.  AND all of the staff and girls fell in love with these guys! They won matching baseball t-shirts at the awards ceremony because the baseball coach loved them so much (and he came across stern - but they won his heart).

Along with the work - I met amazing people.  I got the chance to visit a pretty huge mall, visit Danbury, New Milford, and Kent, travel to various state parks (Thank you so much M), and mingle with people I would never normally do things with.  I also learned to problem solve, how to work hard when everything is going left rather than right, how to laugh at the craziest of situations, and most of all, unconditional love of kids.

On to new adventures that my gap year holds!