Four Minutes of Fame on BBC Radio Manchester!

Hi folks!

Well, what a mad busy week! This is the first chance I've had to blog about World Asthma Day, last Tuesday, 6th May-one of my most exciting days ever! I was very fortunate to have been invited by BBC Radio Manchester to go in and 'chat' with Alan Beswick on his breakfast slot about asthma, which happens to be my specialist interest within my role as a nurse practitioner. I wasn't given very much information about what to expect, only that we would be talking about asthma attacks (exacerbations). I have to say that it was the most terrifying yet exhilarating experience!

 BBC Radio Manchester is located at Media City, Salford Quays. It completed about two years ago. Many TV and radio employees were re-located there from down south, which must have been a huge upheaval, especially for those with families. But what an asset to the Northwest and what a spectacular place, with it's state-of-the-art decor, pod-like seating areas and slick, highly professional staff.

I was greeted at main reception and given a visitor's badge (which I have kept as a precious souvenir)  and in no time at all, I was being lead upstairs to sit with some scout leaders, who were to be on air before me. We could hear the live radio in the background, where Alan Beswick was saying, 'And shortly we will have Catherine Short, nurse practitioner and author of 'Asthma-the Essential Guide' with us to talk about asthma. That was when my nerves started to kick in.

I was reminded of when, at the age of twelve, our class was performing in our school play, which was 'The Blue Bird'. I only had one line, and when it was my turn to speak, I completely froze, unable to utter a word. The silence was deafening. Thankfully, my then best friend Karen Jewitt whispered my line to me and I was okay, but the feeling of pure shame has never  quite left me. Would I do the same? Would I make a complete fool of myself ...again?

Before I had a chance to leg-it, I was ushered into Alan's studio, where he sat behind a shiny black and silver curved desk. He looked friendly enough and in a non-verbal kind of way, he led me through the whole adventure. I sat behind microphone two and was told to lean forward. I listened in silent anticipation, wondering which line the questions would take.

The travel news and weather were delivered and then suddenly, Alan started to read a headline from one of the daily newspapers, which was suggesting that more and more people were dying needlessly from asthma attacks, partly because of their complacency, but also due to lack of understanding or care from the health professionals. I hadn't expected that line of attack and my heart felt like it had suddenly leapt into the back of my throat.

Next, Alan introduced me and then fired one question after another in my direction. I almost came unstuck at the end, but managed to speak, without stuttering and gave a fairly decent viewpoint. In all, I was only on air for about four minutes, and despite my nerves, it was a truly amazing experience. In fact, I was sorry my four minutes of fame had ended!

I gave two free copies of each of my books to main reception (I give loads away as a marketing ploy) and went on my way. Imagine my total surprise when, an hour after getting home, I received a phone call from the BBC, saying that I had done really well, and would I like to try my hand at being a newspaper reviewer? I was flabbergasted to say the least. At first, I thought I was imagining it all but then, before I knew it, I had agreed! So, I'll be on BBC Radio Manchester on Alan Beswick's Breakfast Show (6am-9am) on Wednesday 18th June.

It just goes to show, none of us really know what is around the corner do we? I'll be sure to tell you more as time goes on. If you would like to listen to my radio stint, you can access it by going on  BBC radio i-player  and look for Tuesday 6th May, Alan Beswick's slot, then look at the 'episodes' and click the one called 'Scouting'. If you go on the time-line, almost to the end, around the 80% mark, you should be able to hear it.

Speak soon,

Cathx







 

World Asthma Day Tuesday May 6th-Guest Speaker on BBC Radio Manchester.

Hi Folks!

Hope you are all well and that the spring pollens aren't playing havoc with your asthma! Joking aside, at this time of year, many more asthmatics than usual are affected. Thankfully, for most asthmatics, sympoms can be annoying, but for some, they can be life threatening.

So how can you tell when your asthma is poorly controlled?

The symptoms below should help you!

• Waking in the night coughing, wheezing or short of breath.
• A fall in your usual peak flow readings.
• Needing to use your reliever inhaler more than usual, and its effect not lasting very long.
• Waking earlier than normal and needing to use your reliever inhaler.

Now is the time to visit your asthma  nurse or a doctor. They will help you to quickly gain control of your symptoms. They can only help if you make that appointment!

You are having an asthma attack if:-

• Your reliever inhaler does not relieve your symptoms.
• You are too breathless to eat or sleep.
• Your symptoms of cough, wheeze, breathlessness or tight chest are out of control.

To treat an asthma attack:-

1. Take two puffs of your reliever inhaler which is usually blue.
2. Sit quietly and try to control your breathing.
3. If you do not feel any relief, take another two puffs of your inhaler every two minutes up until ten puffs have been taken.
4. If you do not feel any improvement, call 999.
5. If you have to wait for an ambulance for a while, you can repeat step 3 again to ease your breathing.

For more information, tune into http://www.bbc.co.uk/radiomanchester on Tuesday after 8am, where I will be acting as a guest speaker on this imprtant issue.

Take care,

Cathx