These Lungs Were Made for Walking

A little over two years ago, I discussed a "great walk" that I took that reminded me of my old bike rides. Due to my bronchiectasis, I often am not able to walk. I don't write much about that disease here anymore. In fact, I didn't write about the last time I suffered an attack so bad that I had to go to the emergency room and stay in the hospital for a few nights in late May. I never wrote about my visit to the emergency room in December either.

I like a lot about my daughter, but one of the things that stands out to me is how she turns clearly negative things into potential positives. This is a great approach to life, which always has its ups and downs. The positives out of my negative visit to the hospital for my breathing breakdown were that I finally got some oxygen for in my home. More importantly, I was able to get a prescription for a biological pharmaceutical approved by my insurance company. My doctor had tried to get Dupixent approved, but the insurance company suggested that the doctor use Tezspire. He did, and I have had three injections. Wow, does it do good things for me! I also started taking Zyrtec, and that has been helpful too.

This was almost four months ago, but I feel great right now. Kind of like the olden days, when I would go on bike rides and not know in advance where I would go, I left my house today with no plans except to walk. I left a lot earlier than normal, departing at 7:20 in the morning, and I did make a quick stop at my favorite donut place, Christy's Donuts, I know that donuts are bad for us, but they are so good too! It was just one - everything in moderation!

I headed towards Buffalo Bayou and then turned on Allen Parkway, heading downtown. I still had no destination in mind, but I wanted to cross a pedestrian bridge that I used to ride across a few years ago and did so. I continued to walk down towards where White Oak Bayou runs into Buffalo Bayou, near the University of Houston Downtown. I have certainly been there before. When I got to that spot, I texted my son and sent him this picture:

My wife is flying to be with my son and his wife AND OUR UNBORN GRANDDAUGHTER, and I wanted to wish him the best of times. He was about to pick her up at LaGuardia. I am sad not to be there. After I texted him, I saw "Ella Blvd." on the guide, and it said six miles. I know that place very well from my cycling days, and I decided I would walk there.

I did walk all the way there and exited the bayou trail, heading to a park on 11th street that I remember well. I had already walked about 10 or 11 miles, and I jumped on a bus. I did exit the bus, walked a bit more and got home at 12:30. I figure I walked 13 miles - another half-marathon!

Just like I was so happy to be able to walk at all after I was almost killed 4 1/2 years ago, I am happy to be able to walk 13 miles and not be hindered by my lungs. I don't know if this new medicine will keep me well forever, but it sure works well. It's not the prettiest walk (my walks in Colorado were stunning), but I sure enjoy it! Yes, my lungs work, and I can walk, but it's not just my lungs that were made for walking. My legs and my brain were too.