Spring Has Sprung
Yearning, I so want to smell the flowers. Wildflowers are my favorites.
Yet, nothing compares to the aromatic lilacs from those beautiful lilac bushes. I remember picking them up when I was young. It all stopped when I began noticing that my eyes itched and watered.
Cough and a raspy voice were next. Soon after, I would sneeze and feel short of breath. Next, I avoided them together.
The challenges of environmental triggers and finding humor in the struggle
We had a tree in our front yard. It had the prettiest pink blossoms. This tree was so fragrant that I had to stay inside 24/7 until the flowering ended and beyond.
It triggered a few reactions and even exacerbations. I used to threaten to cut that tree down.
My mom loved that tree, and she thought I was joking about cutting it down. I don’t know how many times I offered to send that tree to her, and we would laugh.
Mom would call to see if I had cut it down yet. It was quite the silliness that we had, about this fragrant pink flowered tree. On one of those calls, I surprised her and said that it had been cut down, “Didn’t you get it yet, Mom? It was cut down yesterday and should have been delivered to you.” How we laughed!
It helped to get rid of the tree, even though it was sad that it was gone. It’s so much nicer to breathe and to be able to be outside a little bit longer.
Springtime: a season of rebirth and allergies
There are quite a few of those trees in this town. I wish I could remember what kind it was.
That’s spring! Spring is a time of rebirth. Not just trees, shrubs, and bushes. Not just flowers and produce.
It's also the time of birth for baby birds, lambs, calves, kittens, and puppies. The news and weather reporters are already putting out allergy and even respiratory alerts.
We have gone from the teens to seventy degrees in one day and night. I really like the health alert and information.
The alerts can help to prevent allergies which can be difficult, to make a difference. The alerts can help overall health, the lungs being at the forefront! We can use the information to help us prepare for outdoor walks and events.
Finding a balance between cleanliness and lung health
Being stuck indoors can be hard. Sometimes it feels like a prison; other times, “there’s no place like home.”
I try to go outside every day, even if it’s just for a little while. Fifteen minutes at a time is about right.
Now that it’s spring, I think spring cleaning. My mom was big into spring cleaning. With so many doing it, I wondered if someone should make it a holiday! If I remember right, it was a weekend event.
Sadly, I can’t do all of the intense cleanings anymore, like washing walls. I try to do them periodically.
My duster, vacuum, green cleaner, damp rags, and toilet cleaner get most of my jobs done. I sure miss the smell of the cleaning agents; the house used to smell so good and fresh.
My lungs revolted, though. That’s a horrible feeling.
Finding what works for you and pacing yourself
So many people recommend other products for scents. No. So many recommend a certain product, and it isn’t good.
Room size and the ability to open windows can make a difference. I’m glad that it works for others.
Face it; baked goods smell better than anything, except for the calories, of course.
Find what works for you. We are all different. What works for me is to look at my day and ask, how do I make it better? You have to pace yourself.
I do try to fairly designate a reasonable time limit to do a room or a task. Other times, I have a rag handy to wipe dust or a spot on the floor.
The most important thing to remember this spring is to be true to yourself. If you know that you will have something that will affect your COPD, so don’t do it. Ask someone to help.
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