A month ago, my chest x-rays showed hyperinflation in my lungs "which can be seen in COPD". Naturally I've been freaking out. COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, common with smokers. Although I never smoked, my father was a chain smoker. He lit each cigarette from the last. "Dad only drew a breath of fresh air when he was sleeping," Mom said.

I was born prematurely with one lung un-inflated. Spent two months in an incubator. My lung spontaneously inflated at five months. Premies have a 36% increased chance of developing adult-onset asthma. Yup, I was diagnosed with asthma at age 40.

Thought I was doomed to dragging around an oxygen tank. I used to joke: "I'm not accustomed to carrying an oxygen tank for my date."

Today I saw a pulmonary specialist doctor. Took along my daughter Claire to take notes in case I was so anxious, I would have trouble taking in what he said.

"You don't have hyperinflated lungs or COPD," the doctor reassured me. "It infuriates me when radiologists terrify patients with language like this." He showed me my chest x-rays. "See how clear your lungs are? Your torso is long and narrow."

Slow Deep Breathing and Yoga

"When you feel short of breath, instead of grabbing your Abuterol inhaler, try taking slow deep breaths: inhale slowly for five seconds, hold for five seconds, then slowly exhale for seven seconds. Do this 10 times and see how you feel."

Claire cheered. "You are our angel!" she exclaimed. "I teach yoga and breathing exercises." The doctor and Claire beamed at each other. "Claire is teaching me yoga," I told him.

Lasting connections with people

"Are you a mentor?" the slender nurse Natalia asked with a Russian accent. Yes, I replied. "You mentored my daughter Yuliya," she said. "I recognize your face and voice."

Yuliya was the first student I mentored 16 years ago. Yuliya became the first female civil engineer at Puget Sound Shipyards in Bremerton, WA. She still works there.

In small towns, I love how we create lasting connections with people.

After the doctor appointment, I feel thrilled. What a relief!

"Mom, you are so competitive, I bet you loved it when he said you are in the top five percent of people your age," Claire said afterward.