I hear what you say about pigheaded doctors, Sarah. Reminds me of Bev's (Boiaby) story of going to visit her doctor after losing 180lbs. and being told that she must be seriously ill because its impossible for someone to lose that kind of weight without suffering from some terrible disease or having had gastric by-pass surgery. Even after Bev insisted it was due to aherence to a restricted (yet sensible) diet and diligent exercise, he (or she) still wanted to run a battery of tests. Granted Bev's an extraordinary example, but it seems to me that the doctor just couldn't accept something that was out of the realm of his or her experience!

As for the asthma, don't give up hope. My daughter had severe asthma for a number of years (requiring hospitalization a few times) yet ended up a competitive athlete. Aside to Lorraine - I NEVER smoked in the house (my habit was such that I'd willingly stand shivering in my garage in January to puff) and we did have to find a new home for my beloved siberian husky (it was a difficult decision who would go, after all, I'd had the dog longer than the kid), but the right mix of steroids and inhalers gradually did the trick and now her attacks are few and far between.