Today has been such an exciting day, and since I've been home I have only had exciting days. What with getting my new laptop and buying dorm supplies...oh yeah, and then there's today.
I was very excited to go back to work. I got there at 8:30 am but no one answered, and I had to wait only fifteen minutes to be let in by a coworker. See, in a quarantine lab, and many other labs, the door is locked and you need a key. Otherwise, there's a doorbell. Which my coworker could not hear because she was in tissue culture. While I was waiting, I received a text from my father, telling me that I had an appointment to see the allergist of Las Cruces, Dr. Rupp. My appointment was scheduled for October, but my dad relentlessly called that office every day until there was a cancellation to confirm and get treatment for my asthma and food allergies.
Then, I received a call about twenty minutes later from the MESA (Math Engineering Science Achievement, one of the multiple science clubs I lead in high school) head at NMSU. She told me she was making sure I qualified for the scholarship based on points I earned over three years. I was missing an event to qualify and she told me that if I wrote a letter promoting the club to an elected official, I would qualify for a total of nearly five hundred dollars in financial aid. That's right, I am going to receive money I didn't expect from being in science clubs. Word to the future wise, high school students need to join extracurricular activities for more than just fun and becoming well rounded!
Unfortunately, I did not get to work too long today, but tomorrow I get to see the results of the genetic sequencing I did on my last day. My coworker told me it turned out beautifully, so I am very excited.
Now, for the main event, some astonishing news about asthma and allergies.
First of all, I would like to begin by promoting Dr. Rupp. He is the most competent and caring doctor I have ever had the pleasure to meet. He is also a scientist, and we spoke about many aspects of our shared interests in science during our visit, as it pertained to my condition. He was very impressed with my well versed knowledge of his field, and I know he wishes more patients would be so easily understanding about allergies and asthma. He recommends the following websites to help you understand your condition, so please check them out before you go for a visit so you won't feel like you are drowning in all of his biochemical jargon.
This one is my favorite
But this is good too
And if you're having trouble coping with food allergies, I highly recommend this book about having food allergies. It is really funny and I first read it because it was part of a medical reading competition I was in (and won), but it was around the time my allergies were getting out of control, and it really helped put things in perspective. It is an easy read, and it is very informative and easy to relate to.
Yes, I learned quite a bit from my new pal, Dr. Rupp. We did a little physical examination before proceeding to anything for my allergies. We checked my height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate, breath rate, breath sounds, and heart sounds. Normal stuff. But then we got to my least favorite part of every examination. If you've ever done it, you'll know what I'm talking about. There is a test for asthma where you take a deep breath and blow out really hard and fast and just when you think you can no longer blow, you have to keep blowing and at the end you inhale sharply. Yeah, that one; everyone's favorite (am I right?). Well, their equipment is a good deal better than that which I've been tested with before, and obviously their ability to do the test would be better than a school nurse. You are tested against people just like you (gender, age, etc). Well guess what world? The girl who has tested with lowered lung capacity for five years just found out that she doesn't have asthma!
Whoa, what the heck?
I know, I know, I was shocked too. I tested 100% each test I took (you take three every time, to be sure). Some even showed more than 100% breathing ability. So why have I tested positive for asthma all these years? I'm not really sure. More than likely it was due to poor quality testing instruments, or a nurse with a lacking in the experience department. But there you have it, I don't have asthma.
So wait, why do you have so much trouble breathing?
That's a marvelous question! I was surprised to learn that my vulnerability to all of my allergy triggers was not caused by asthma. In fact, my nose is about 90% swollen shut. There is something in your nasal cavity called turbinates, which warm cold air before it gets to your lungs. Mine are so swollen, I have a very weak ability to breath through my nose. This is only worsened by allergies and different conditions, which is why it seemed that I had exercise induced asthma. No one bothered to question the presence of allergies in me, so no one ever suspected that I might not have asthma. Due to this issue, I have had one emergency room visit ($400+), several inhalers (inexpensive), and five years of crappy breathing and decreased athletic potential. The cost of not knowing this for years is much greater than the $30 co-pay to see Dr. Rupp on my insurance plan. Now, I will begin using Nasocourt (now over the counter) every day. In about a month (est), I will begin noticing a large difference in my ability to breath through my nose. Who knows, maybe I'll take up running. I never got into it because I couldn't breathe, but maybe now I'll get a chance to enjoy more of life.
Tomorrow I will be going to get blood drawn for a RAST test (look it up, I gave you links!) for soy, banana, mango, pineapple, kiwi, and a vitamin D deficiency (more on that another time). I will share with you as soon as possible.
So take note, young people of the internet! If you suspect you have asthma or allergies, see a specialist! It is much less expensive than an ER visit, or not doing things you could have done under the correct treatment plan! You are not a doctor, you can't possibly know what to do until you get help! Thank you for reading!
I was very excited to go back to work. I got there at 8:30 am but no one answered, and I had to wait only fifteen minutes to be let in by a coworker. See, in a quarantine lab, and many other labs, the door is locked and you need a key. Otherwise, there's a doorbell. Which my coworker could not hear because she was in tissue culture. While I was waiting, I received a text from my father, telling me that I had an appointment to see the allergist of Las Cruces, Dr. Rupp. My appointment was scheduled for October, but my dad relentlessly called that office every day until there was a cancellation to confirm and get treatment for my asthma and food allergies.
Then, I received a call about twenty minutes later from the MESA (Math Engineering Science Achievement, one of the multiple science clubs I lead in high school) head at NMSU. She told me she was making sure I qualified for the scholarship based on points I earned over three years. I was missing an event to qualify and she told me that if I wrote a letter promoting the club to an elected official, I would qualify for a total of nearly five hundred dollars in financial aid. That's right, I am going to receive money I didn't expect from being in science clubs. Word to the future wise, high school students need to join extracurricular activities for more than just fun and becoming well rounded!
Unfortunately, I did not get to work too long today, but tomorrow I get to see the results of the genetic sequencing I did on my last day. My coworker told me it turned out beautifully, so I am very excited.
Now, for the main event, some astonishing news about asthma and allergies.
First of all, I would like to begin by promoting Dr. Rupp. He is the most competent and caring doctor I have ever had the pleasure to meet. He is also a scientist, and we spoke about many aspects of our shared interests in science during our visit, as it pertained to my condition. He was very impressed with my well versed knowledge of his field, and I know he wishes more patients would be so easily understanding about allergies and asthma. He recommends the following websites to help you understand your condition, so please check them out before you go for a visit so you won't feel like you are drowning in all of his biochemical jargon.
This one is my favorite
But this is good too
And if you're having trouble coping with food allergies, I highly recommend this book about having food allergies. It is really funny and I first read it because it was part of a medical reading competition I was in (and won), but it was around the time my allergies were getting out of control, and it really helped put things in perspective. It is an easy read, and it is very informative and easy to relate to.
Yes, I learned quite a bit from my new pal, Dr. Rupp. We did a little physical examination before proceeding to anything for my allergies. We checked my height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate, breath rate, breath sounds, and heart sounds. Normal stuff. But then we got to my least favorite part of every examination. If you've ever done it, you'll know what I'm talking about. There is a test for asthma where you take a deep breath and blow out really hard and fast and just when you think you can no longer blow, you have to keep blowing and at the end you inhale sharply. Yeah, that one; everyone's favorite (am I right?). Well, their equipment is a good deal better than that which I've been tested with before, and obviously their ability to do the test would be better than a school nurse. You are tested against people just like you (gender, age, etc). Well guess what world? The girl who has tested with lowered lung capacity for five years just found out that she doesn't have asthma!
Whoa, what the heck?
I know, I know, I was shocked too. I tested 100% each test I took (you take three every time, to be sure). Some even showed more than 100% breathing ability. So why have I tested positive for asthma all these years? I'm not really sure. More than likely it was due to poor quality testing instruments, or a nurse with a lacking in the experience department. But there you have it, I don't have asthma.
So wait, why do you have so much trouble breathing?
That's a marvelous question! I was surprised to learn that my vulnerability to all of my allergy triggers was not caused by asthma. In fact, my nose is about 90% swollen shut. There is something in your nasal cavity called turbinates, which warm cold air before it gets to your lungs. Mine are so swollen, I have a very weak ability to breath through my nose. This is only worsened by allergies and different conditions, which is why it seemed that I had exercise induced asthma. No one bothered to question the presence of allergies in me, so no one ever suspected that I might not have asthma. Due to this issue, I have had one emergency room visit ($400+), several inhalers (inexpensive), and five years of crappy breathing and decreased athletic potential. The cost of not knowing this for years is much greater than the $30 co-pay to see Dr. Rupp on my insurance plan. Now, I will begin using Nasocourt (now over the counter) every day. In about a month (est), I will begin noticing a large difference in my ability to breath through my nose. Who knows, maybe I'll take up running. I never got into it because I couldn't breathe, but maybe now I'll get a chance to enjoy more of life.
Tomorrow I will be going to get blood drawn for a RAST test (look it up, I gave you links!) for soy, banana, mango, pineapple, kiwi, and a vitamin D deficiency (more on that another time). I will share with you as soon as possible.
So take note, young people of the internet! If you suspect you have asthma or allergies, see a specialist! It is much less expensive than an ER visit, or not doing things you could have done under the correct treatment plan! You are not a doctor, you can't possibly know what to do until you get help! Thank you for reading!
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