So many things have happened during the past week or so, that I haven't had the time or the energy to put my experiences into writing. Some things I am not completely ready to talk about, yet.
Last Wednesday, October 17th, I lost my beloved 10 year old English pointer Jack Lemon (fondly referred to as simply "Lemons"). I chose to adopt him last June knowing that he had terminal hemangiosarcoma and there was no way of knowing how much or how little time he had left.
Two weeks ago I began the Couch to 5K training program with my friend R. The first time I ran, I had an extremely difficult time breathing afterward. For several hours. I chalked it up to being woefully out of shape. I had two other severe reactions post-run, where I could not take a full breath without wheezing for hours and usually woke up coughing still the next morning. I made a doctor's appointment to be checked out for asthma on the 31st, but last Friday after three days of shortness of breath and feeling like my chest was being internally crushed (and bruised) I missed work to go to an urgent care center.
I was diagnosed with exercise induced asthma that was further complicated by my allergies. Basically when I ran, my lungs opened up more fully, taking in more pollen and causing a severe histamine reaction on top of the asthmatic inflammation and bronchial spasms. I'm on three more medications now (for a grand total of four, more about that later...). So far, so good on this regimen. I finished Day Three of Week Two after a six day lay off. Between losing Lemons and the doctor's two days mandatory rest from physical exertion, I felt pretty rusty last night, but I did it anyway which felt great.
Today I biked the three miles to work and will bike home stopping about halfway to go to the bank. I used my inhaler before and after the morning's ride, but I feel okay and only have coughed a little bit. I made a point of giving myself ample time to get to work so I wouldn't have to rush. It took a little longer than usual, but to me it's not a race. As long as I get to work on time and physically feel good, that's what is most important.
Last Saturday was the first big event for my non-profit dog rescue, Arizona Bird Dog Rescue. You can read more about it here. There are quite a few more photos on our Facebook page, which you can find by clicking the big chocolate coloured dog logo on the right-hand sidebar of this blog.
Next Saturday is another big dog-related event here in Tucson: the special test screening of the unreleased documentary "Guilty 'Til Proven Innocent" which we will be attending to show our support of the film and both my own & my rescue's opposition to breed specific legislation (aka, BSL). You can read more about the invitation only event and my stance on BSL on my rescue blog here.
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