Sidekick.

Wheezing? Noisy Breathing? It must be asthma. Such was the case today during my visit to the Health Center at UGA. I have the strangest experiences with Health Centers and since they have been my only experiences with doctor's offices since beginning my undergraduate tenure at Rhodes, one can understand why I am not a fan of the doctor.

Let me give you some examples:

1. Freshman year, Rhodes College: I went into the health center to complain of a persistent cold and instead was told I was too skinny and perhaps might just have an eating disorder. I said that was not the case but I was told denial is one of the symptoms.

2. Freshman year, Rhodes College (again): I was given antibotics for some virus-ish thing I had over Spring Break. The antiobiotic dosage/frequency I was prescribed was enough dosage for a small hourse (850 pounds or so) and one of the most common side effects was repeated vomiting. In fact, I found out later the antiobotic was no longer commonly used because of the frequency of reported vomiting among patients. THANKS HEALTH CENTER! Needless to say, I spent spring break vomiting and curled in the fetal in tears due to said medication.

3. The present. Went to the UGA Health Center today to ask for a Z pack to cure a longstanding cold/cough and the doctor told me she thinks I have asthma. Asthma. After telling her I do not have shortness of breath, wheezing, or noisy breathing, NOR does it feel like I have an elephant on my chest (her question, not mine), she still concluded I have asthma.

So my new sidekick...not a blackberry, man's best friend Lassie, or my bff rose. My new sidekick is my shiny red asthma inhaler.

If only the cool kids could see me now in my glasses sporting my inhaler in my plaid fannel button down. (Amazon.com has shipped the pocket protector and it's due any day now...)

Boy Scout's motto: Be prepared. Oh I'm prepared all right.

Cheers.