To the editor:
My visit to the outpatient treatment center at the hospital today has worked wonders. I still am coughing and having difficulty breathing and talking, but the pain is getting better, the breaths are getting deeper, and they let me come back to my daughter Donna's home tonight with some new meds, increased dosages of old ones and a new machine that will let me get more meds in a treatment, and more open lungs.
My doctor indicated that for every amount of toxic exposure time that an asthmatic has to any serious allergen, especially one like red tide, expect three times that amount of recovery time. Since I have had about a month of intermittent exposure with no real let-up, it could take three months for me to get back to my "normal allergic state." This is not true for people who do not have compromised lungs as they can get over their exposure by merely removing themselves from the offending substance with almost immediate recovery from symptoms.
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Nora Lea Reefe
I should be on the road to recovery after 10 or so days of high dosage prednisone. In normal circumstances, I would say that the way I feel now is the way I feel when I am having a "usual asthma attack" while I have been feeling like I was having a life -threatening one, so perhaps that lets you know how much better I really am.
I really miss you all and all the people at daily Mass, and all the excitement of the advent season and the new Liturgy, (don't forget "and with your spirit" now!) and all the garden club's upcoming programs, and all the new members. We have 315 members now, and I have authorized a maximum of 320, but we will have to cut off at that point.
Thanks again for all your prayers and emails. If you need to mail me anything I am at 18 Pine Tree Road, Salisbury NC 28144. I would love e-mails or funny cards (not too funny because laughing triggers asthma, too!). And of course, please keep sending the prayers! They are my best medicine!
Love,
Nora Lea Reefe
Boca Grande/Linville, N.C.
