I had never heard of exercise-induced asthma before the Summer of 2001. One night we had a scare that we had not been prepared for.

It was a cool evening and we were at the ballpark watching dad play ball.
I was chasing The Kid up and down a little grassy incline nearby.

Then he sat down and the look on his face was something I wouldn’t forget.
My sweet 3-year-old had a helpless look on his face as he sat there struggling to breathe.

The next few minutes were a blur.
I remember encouraging him to breathe, breathe, breathe.
It seemed like forever until I heard him say he was okay.

The next day his pediatrician diagnosed him with

exercise-induced asthma.

From that day on we kept inhalers with us at all times.
The Kid used his inhaler before playing outside or running around.
We watched him carefully to make sure he was always breathing properly.

The pediatrician also advised that he “warm up” before exercise.
Of course he agreed that it’s difficult to get a little kid to “warm up”.
He seemed to function on not wanting to walk speed or run speed - there is no “warm up” speed for him.

We did all we could and took all of the precautions.
Now in 2008 it has been over a year since he has used his inhaler.
He’s “outgrown” the asthma and we’ve been able to worry a little less.

As I watch him running and having fun I am thankful that asthma and those inhalers are just mom worries and no longer a worry for The Kid!