Rediscovering Normal

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I wrote a few weeks ago about losing my sense of normal with regard to developing asthma late in life. What a difference a few weeks, and the right medicine, makes!

I’m due back at the asthma clinic on Monday, and I can’t wait to go. I’ve had such a dramatic turnaround that my husband is actually questioning whether I truly have asthma or not!

I know however. Some things are different — hills and stairs cause me to get a bit out of breath no matter what I do. And I react to environmental factors: dust and certain perfumes can be debilitating.

BUT. I have rediscovered ‘normal‘.

I have been doing my walking, and crazy person that I am, I’ve decided to start running. Now running for me is not as exciting as it sounds. For me it’s run one minute, walk five to recover, and then run again. But I’m doing it. Regularly and consistently, and I’m building on my progress.

And during my run/walk/run cycles, there is a set of stairs on my regular route. (I run on the seafront promenade which is minutes from my house.) And, no matter what I’m supposed to be doing at the time, whether walking or running, I always run up those stairs. Just to show them I can. Stairs have been my nemesis since this whole saga started, and I’m not going to let them beat me!

Nor will I let asthma beat me. It’s been a long road back, but I’ve found normal again. And even if I lose for a time again, I know it’s there and I know how to get back to it.

That is worth a lot.