Asthma- the downsides and the upsides

Asthma has been ruling my life for the last week and a half. I went for a walk one night. It was a cool night, and lots of people were sitting in their driveways with friends and their fire pits going. It gave a nice ambiance to the night. I realized about 30 minutes after I got home that it had triggered my allergies and asthma. Ugh! I didn't think it would get too bad because I take my controller medications faithfully every morning and every night. Because of the other recent asthma flare-ups my doctor switched one of my controller medications twice, trying to find one that will work for me now. Apparently we still haven't come up with a good alternative because it's flaring up frequently. Last week I was pretty miserable. For anyone who doesn't have asthma or an asthmatic in the family, it's hard to imagine that it takes such a toll on your body. You wake up feeling like you've spent the night running a marathon. And then you get up and start moving, and then you really feel tired!
If I only concentrated on the bad things from my asthma things would seem pretty bleak right now. I have had this stupid cough going for 11 days. I have my nebulizer and medications. It's keeping things controlled to an extent, but it hasn't stopped them yet. I have been forced to stay home unless it's absolutely necessary to go out. This means I get to spend more time with my family. It also means that I am getting a fabulous ab workout every single day. My abs are so sore, so I know I've been working them hard. Since Drew hasn't been able to go out with me running errands as usual he's been playing the Wii more often. He's been singing his own version of Black Eyed Pea's "Boom Boom Pow" as he plays his games. It's hilarious. I really need to record him. (I've put the camera next to my chair so I can catch him in the act next time.)
I've also done a TON of reading. I finished Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, Gone, Brava Valentine, and The Maze Runner. I'm starting Drums of Autumn and The Blind Side:The Evolution of a Game. So- lots of reading. I still have a ton of books to read so if this lasts much longer I will finally be totally caught up with all my reading. I'm trying to get my hands on a copy of The Help. It sounds really interesting. I've got my name on 2 waiting lists at the libraries. I'm #383 in the Maricopa County Library system, and #76 for Chandler Public Libraries. I think it'll take a while. I put The Blind Side on hold a week before Thanksgiving and just got it last Thursday.
I read 2 books last month about Maria Von Trapp (her story inspired the movie The Sound of Music.) She was a spiritual and adventurous person. She had a really strong testimony of the Lord. It was a bit difficult to read the book she wrote about her family, but it did go in depth. Apparently she wrote several other books. If you ever think your life is busy you need to read one of her books. I don't know when she found time to sleep! She and her husband had several children together, but because of kidney problems she lost several children.
Well, I think my cough has settled down enough for me to sleep so I'll say ciao for tonight. More soon, I hope!