Can you imagine an asthmatic breathing in the same air for 28 years?

What’s wrong with that picture? Duh – The blower unit in our house had been routing air through old ducts made of fiberglass.

Yesterday was demolition day. The old blower and ducts were ripped out.

Today the new non-fiberglass ducts and new blower unit are being installed in the attic.

I am looking forward to breathing cleaner and quieter air.

Besides installing the new ducts and blower unit, I already have done a few things to attempt to improve my breathing.

It started about a week ago when I tried to “suck in and spit out” some mucous from my throat. That mucous must have gotten into my Eustachian tube and plugged it. My ear began to hurt due to the vacuum created in my middle ear, and the consequent pull on my eardrum. This knowledge obtained from my audiology courses years ago.

First I decided to irrigate my nose every night — warm saltwater in one nostril and out the other.

Next, I sat over a bowl of hot water with a towel over my head. This in an attempt to have the steam loosen and thin out my mucous.

Finally, I sprayed my Flonase just before going to sleep.

The three-pronged combination really helped. The pain was gone. The mucous was perceptibly thinner.

I wonder whether the new clean air that will come into my house, together with my more open channels of breathing, will decrease the frequency and severity of my 42-year-old asthma cough? I think I’ll go and buy the best AC filter available. I’m worth it.

Mr. Ebsen may be contacted at robertebsen51@aol.com