Gasp, Wheeze, Choke

Today is one of those “bad” days. I left for work feeling great. Did a breathing treatment just before I headed out the door. I felt clean and clear. The snow was coming down in big beautiful flakes. Even the cold didn’t seem to bother my asthma. It started as such a wonderful day. Despite my mopey puppy and a broken clothes washer.

I arrived at work with my second breakfast in hand. Only to be greeted by one of the office smokers at the front door. Why must they stand within 10 feet of the door? One day in my shoes and they would never touch a cigarette ever again. Just shook my head and said ‘oh well’ as I scurried inside. As I opened the door a stench hit me like a wall. I have no idea what this smell is, as my nose thinks that smelling is a part time job. What ever it is, it isn’t pretty. Immediately I feel my lungs filling up, first with the stench and then with the mucus trying to get the unidentified airborne particles out of my fragile lungs. My eyes start to well up with tears as I know that today has taken a turn for the worst.

But I must push on and live as though I am half way normal. I complain to a few people about the smell as I choke and sputter. Thinking they may help ease my fight to breathe. Find a fan, open a window. But they turn a blind eye since their strong lungs don’t even notice what is going on. A few asked if I had a cold, as they were concerned if I was contagious.

Unfortunately, this happens way to often to me. Whether it is the stench of second-hand smoke, a person’s slight overuse of perfume or cologne, or some random unknown cloud of stink. Little things can set my lungs into mucus overdrive causing the rest of my body to have a bad day.

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3 Comments so far (Add 1 more)

It is true, any strong smell affects us worse than most. I can tell the exact moment one guy at church gets there if he sits within 3 rows of us and 10 seats on either side.

I say that if you have to wear that much cologne, you might as well save some money and water and ixnay on the owershay.

1. Jesse Petersen on February 6th, 2008 at 5:23 am
Hate to say it, but today was worse. This crud in the air, it smells kind of like chemicals and mold, and diesel fumes. If it were visible it would be a green black blob hanging from the celling.

My coworkers finally got annoyed enough with my coughing they decided to attempt to help me out by spraying some “pretty” smelling bathroom spray. Yea, that didn’t work, made it worse, but at least they tried!

I think I will stay late and open the doors, after everyone leaves. Even though it is 26 degrees outside! Brrrr!

2. aspen on February 5th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
I know exactly what you mean, but perhaps this is a tad on the ‘victim’ side. Try this… it’s really fun. I use it all the time.

Make sure they know you got a whiff of the smoke…
wait for it, wait for it,
cough your head off like you mean it!

Make ‘em feel bad, really bad.

I’ve had people put their cigs out and sulk away. It can actually make me feel better on a bad day. When I have to walk with someone who busts out a smoke. I watch the wind and keep shifting when the smoke gets close. They get the signal, because, as ignorant as they are, most smokers aren’t trying to be as rude as they appear.

Hope you feel better.

3. Jesse Petersen on February 5th, 2008 at 12:10 pm