I was diagnosed with asthma as a child. I remember using nebulizers as a kid and having allergic reactions to cats. My asthma went into remission, and I began running at the age of 15. I was really good at it and began running 5ks to half marathons, to eventually marathons. I took pride in my lungs and their capacity.
It wasn't until 2020 when I had COVID-19 the first time (I work in healthcare), that I begun to feel short of breath just by walking to the mailbox. I knew something was wrong because I was used to running a sub 8 minute mile. It would follow up by wheezing and chest pain. That turned into chest pain and slower pace when running, which really affected my confidence.
Fast forward to 2021, I worked at a facility that I did not know was infested with mold and had to be remediated. I remember standing in a back room and suddenly I started to cough and could not catch my breath. I ran outside for fresh air and stabilized and went back inside. Thinking I had just swallowed a piece of dust, the same thing followed again. I then started to have runny nose and fatigue and looked up and there was a ceiling tile missing and in the panel was black mold. This happened twice two days in a row. The facility also had horrible indoor pool quality in which the fans turned off and the chlorine rose to a high level and affected my lungs.
I was worried at that time as I was in the middle of training for a marathon with a coach that knew my condition. I successfully ran it some months later, despite having to stop and pace myself. Two days later, I had covid for the second time. This time, my lungs felt like they were on fire and severely uncontrolled. I began reacting to fragrances, cats, molds, etc, at a much more sensitive level than ever.
This affected me getting jobs as I was not able to withstand fragrances or chemicals around me. This affected relationships as I was dating someone with a cat at the time. This also affected my running and sent me on an over two year hiatus.
Now, I am still stabilizing from the insults to my airways, and trying to advocate as much as possible in the workplace that just because others may not physically be able to see chronic conditions, doesn't make it any less valid. All it takes is one chemical, one fragrance, cooking fumes, or smoking a cigarette nearby to cause a major asthma attack. Today I struggle with small airway trapping and mild airway obstruction. I have been on many inhalers and a biologic to control this. We need more advocates for clean air.
