AsthmaPersonal stories: Faces of asthma
Faces of Asthma - Paige
The delivery room resonated with a healthy cry when baby Paige was born. She immediately became the star of her family, as every baby does!
But when she was three weeks old, an anxious couple arrived in emergency – their little star was having problems breathing. The trend continued – ear infections, fevers, cough and a gurgling sound while struggling to breathe were her constant companions.
Lisa contacted the Lung Association of Saskatchewan because she felt Paige's breathing problems were more than colds; after consultation with health care professionals who are certified asthma educators, and following a visit to a pediatrician, a diagnosis of asthma was made.
"When I was a teeny baby, my Mom said I had my first visit to the hospital. Now that I'm a big girl (I just turned four), me and my inhaler go everywhere together, just in case I need it', says Paige.
"Winter is the worst," says Lisa. "Because she can't breathe very well when it's cold, we have to wait for really nice days to go tobogganing. We have to increase her medication during the winter. Our goal is to control Paige's asthma and, most of the time, we succeed.
'We've learned about what triggers Paige's asthma, and have got her on medication that is working very well. We've ripped out all our carpets. And her toys need to be cleaned – even the teddy bear goes in the dryer," says Lisa. "I owe so much to the caring people at the Lung Association for providing us with practical information and helping us cope."
And where is Paige today? Why, she's recovering from a broken nose that she got while playing, of course!
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