Saturday, April 28, 2007

Betsy has been missing in action

Dear OOTJ folks,

I have been missing in action for several weeks -- hardly a peep out of me. I've had a terrible attack of asthma. I never thought of myself as having asthma, and gave my problem all kinds of other labels: allergies, a cold, bronchitis. Nah! It turns out to be out-of-control asthma.

I knew about 5 years ago that I had asthma. At that point, it was really mild -- just a discomforting little cough that wouldn't go away. It seemed to come under control really well. I stopped seeing my specialist.

When nothing the regular doc gave me was helping, when I thought I'd end up in the emergency room or morgue, I finally got the idea of going back to see the pulmonologist. I couldn't find him on the Web or the phone book; no business card or phone note survived from those earlier visits. Turns out the man moved back to St. Louis, so no wonder I couldn't find how to contact him -- just listings as a co-author on scholarly papers.

Finally got to the new doc. New meds. I am starting to come back to life. So, apologies for the long silence. I can hardly speak in person, and it's been hard to feel like doing anything. I never knew asthma could make me so sick!

Betsy McKenzie

3 comments:

Mary L. Dudziak said...

This is to OOTJ in general -- since I can't find blogger e-mail addresses to reach you directly. Just a note to let you know that I've tagged you as one of the blogs I follow, at the Legal History Blog: http://legalhistoryblog.blogspot.com/2007/04/5-blogs.html. If you'd like to pass on the "Thinking Blogger Award," details are here: http://www.thethinkingblog.com/2007/02/thinking-blogger-awards_11.html.

Best wishes,
Mary Dudziak

Harvey Morrell said...

FWIW, I did notice, but I thought you were busy with work projects. Welcome back, and hope things are looking up!

Marie S. Newman said...

I'm certainly glad to know you are on the road to recovery, Betsy. I was getting worried about you, and was about to email you when I read your post. I have had a couple of bouts of asthma, and they are truly frightening. I look forward to reading your contributions again.

Marie