Escape by Catherine Short

Escape
 

This house is a box.
What lurks behind those secretive walls?
Two parents, two children.
A story of ridged rules, control and submission.
Like a young lamb to the slaughter, I've no thoughts of escape.

This house is an asylum.
Adult children with bone-deep, weeping wounds,
Issues with fear and abandonment.
I am the perpetual chameleon.
From a life-time of suffering, can there be no escape?
 

This house is a prison.
Forced serenity and stifled emotion,
not daring to disagree or offer opinion.
Dreading the unknown,
Am I too paralyzed with fear to find my escape?
 

This house is a cabinet.

My heart leaps with relief at the sight
Of my fist full of pills,
Washed down with bitter-sweet wine.
In death shall I submit to my inevitable lonely escape?
 

This house is recovery.
Sterile white walls, crisp cotton sheets.
Sins bathed in bleach.
Smiling kind faces, they lock doors at night.
Terrified screams shake the shadows, pointless panning escape.

This house is a church.
Built from stone, sweat and tears.
Choirs of heavenly angels
Bathe me with love and pure peace.
Cocooned within gentle walls, I've no desire to escape.
 

This house is a meadow.
Resplendent with green pastures
And rays of buttercup sunshine
Trickling ice-blue brooks.
In God's beautiful creation, I have found my escape.

                                                                       









https://www.amazon.co.uk/Essential-Guide-Asthma-Need-Guides/dp/1910843512

Hi Folks,
I'm so excited to share with you my brand new cover of The Essential Guide to Asthma. The third edition has been launched recently. It is wonderful that the book is selling so well. The more informed people are about their asthma, the better they are able to protect themselves. Information is the key to successful self-management of this debilitating and sometimes fatal chronic disease.
Don't forget, asthma can lie dormant and then suddenly rear its ugly head. If you or your child are suffering with a persistent cough, especially at night, a wheeze, or shortness of breath, you may have asthma. If this describes you or your child, make an appointment with your GP or asthma nurse without delay.

Sahara Dust Creates a Satsuma-like Sun but Poses a Risk to Asthmatics!

Hi folks,

After the many reported weird sightings yesterday of a green or yellow sky, punctuated by an eerie, orange or red sun, is it any surprise that I dreamed of alien spaceships descending from outer space? So it was only me then?

Apparently, this unusual phenomenon is due to the winds created by Hurricane Ophelia kicking up the Sahara desert sand. More worryingly,  Asthma UK have warned that this blanket of dust is very likely to trigger severe asthma attacks, which could be fatal!

We've long been aware of the many environmental factors which trigger asthma symptoms. For example, Thunderstorm Asthma was first described over thirty years ago. This asthmatic environmental trigger appears to be worse during the pollen season. Between November 21st and 22nd 2016, following a thunderstorm,  Melbourne in Australia described 9,900 patients presented in hospital with acute asthmatic attacks. Sadly, nine asthmatics died.

The more commonly known environmental triggers for asthma are house dust mite, pet dander, grass and tree pollen and cigarette smoke. Also, certain foods such as peanuts, alcohol and food additives can affect asthma. Aerosols and perfumes can all affect asthmatics too.  Another important environmental factor which may pose as a trigger currently, is the autumn moulds. During the autumn, mushrooms, toadstools, and the moulds found in rotting leaves and plants can all trigger asthma symptoms.

More worryingly, today the met office have warned that the Sahara dust will be back on Wednesday,  therefore likely creating another wave of asthmatic symptoms and attacks.

Don't get caught out. For up-to-date information, visit www.asthma.org.uk This web site really is the very best site for vital information, including prevention measures and advice on how to recognise asthma attacks.

You can find all this information and more in my book, Asthma-the Essential Guide with Need2Know Books LTD. To order from Amazon, just follow the tabs at the top left of this blog.

love
Cathx

https://www.nursingtimes.net/opinion/book-reviews/asthma-essential-guide/7018022.article

Hi folks,

Can't say enough thanks to the wonderful Ibadete Fetahu at the Nursing Times for the glowing review posted online for my book, Asthma-the Essenial Guide (see the link above for details).
It means so much, but more importantly, if my book helps people to keep control of their symptoms and keeps them safe, then it was all worthwhile.
Two local companies have offered to promote my book, which is wonderful. As a thank you, for any books bought directly from me as a result of this local promotion, I am going to donate £2 per book to the wonderful Asthma UK charity.
If you get a chance, take a look at the Asthma UK website. It is a wonderful source of information for the general public and health professionals alike.

keep safe,

Cathx

Hi folks,

Did you know that as a writer, part of essential marketing is to give away free copies, in the hope that they will generate more sales? To date, I've given away around 80 in total. For those of you who have been given a free copy of either of my books, can I ask a huge favour? Would you mind putting a review on my Amazon page? I would be very grateful.
If you don't have an Amazon account, you will need to set one up before you add a review. You can make yourself non-identifiable too, so be as honest as possible :-)
To add a review, go to the link below and click on the book title of your choice, then click on 'customer reviews', then click on the box, 'write a customer review'.
Once again, thanks so much. I really appreciate it.
To access my author page, click on the top left tab of this post, as above, 'Cath's books on Amazon'
Thank you so much for your time and interest.

love Cath

Autumnal Asthma Symptoms and the Seasonal Flu Vaccine.

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Asthma-Essential-Guide-Catherine-Short/dp/1861441630/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474489750&sr=8-1&keywords=catherine+short+need2know

Hi Folks,

I trust you are all well? I thought it would be a good time to post some more useful information about my favourite subject, asthma. Did you know that the autumn months can be a very difficult time for asthmatics?
It's true. This time of year can be a very troublesome time due to the changes in temperature and the  effect of moulds and mildews. Rotting plants and leaves can be a factor too! Also, remember to check your bathroom for mould. This can trigger asthma symptoms.

Also, viral infections such as influenza can aggravate asthmatics, sometimes causing dangerously unstable symptoms. For this reason, all asthmatics are entitled to a flu jab each winter. If you fall into any of  the usual 'at risk groups', you can arrange a free flu vaccine through your G.P surgery. The 'at risk groups' are those people who have asthma, diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, liver disease, chronic respiratory disease, those who are immunosuppressed, the very obese, those who have had a stroke and any stage of pregnancy.

Most G.P surgeries in Britain will have received their flu vaccines by now. The vaccine is very safe and protects you against the top 4 flu viruses considered by the World Health Organisation, to be a threat in the Northern Hemisphere. The flu viruses change every winter, so a new vaccine is needed each winter.

Here are some facts about the flu vaccine;

• It is a safe vaccine.
• It is a killed vaccine, therefore cannot give you flu.
• Once immunised, it can take up to three weeks for you to become protected.
• It is important to have the vaccine as soon as possible to build up immunity before flu strikes.
• For children under the age of 18, they can have the nasal flu spray, rather than an injection.
• It is safe during any stage of pregnancy.
• You can get mild side effects which should settle within 24-48 hours

The more common side effects include;

• A mild fever
• Mild discomfort and/or swelling at the injection site
• generalised aches

The flu vaccine is not given to anyone who has a fever, or who has an egg allergy.

If you are interested in being protected, contact your doctors surgery for information.  I've had flu once, six years ago. I was off work for two weeks. During the second week of illness, my asthma became very unstable, so I have the vaccine each year, as soon as I can. I certainly don't want to go through that again!

Take care,

Cathx

Hi folks,
I hope you are all enjoying this lovely sunshine? I especially hope that the summer pollens are not causing too much hay fever and asthma symptoms for those of you with these debilitating conditions?
I'm so pleased to share my news with you. My book, Asthma- the Essential Guide has now got a lovely new cover. I hope you like the new design?
If you would like to win a copy, please leave a comment on my blog. The winner will be drawn on May 31st.
Good luck. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Asthma-Essential-Guide-Catherine-Short/dp/1861441630/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1463136220&sr=1-1&keywords=asthma+the+essential+guide+catherine+short