Those of you who read MSNBC news will have probably read the news article about the woman, in an iron lung, who died when the electrical power went out at her home. Dianne had bulbo-spinal polio at age three. She had been in an iron lung for almost 60 years, yet she completed her education and even wrote a book. My heart goes out to this family. What a tragic and frightening way to die.

The story reminded me, again, how much I have for which to be grateful. God alone spared my lungs from being affected by the polio I had at age 6. The doctors were always amazed that my lungs, weakened by the COPD with which I was born, were not also paralyzed.
The thought of basicly smothering to death used to scare me greatly. Because of my lung condition, however, I have had times when my breathing was so bad, I did not know if I would get the next breath in. In fact, one time I did go into pulmonary arrest. Fortunately, I was in a doctors' clinic when that happened. Not being able to breath at all is still not something I want to experience, but I am so grateful I do not have to fear death anymore.

You can read the story about Dianne here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24859306/