The Annual Check-Up
by Caroline Hellman

It's that time again--the time of year for the annual physical. This year I admit that my physical rather shamefully late; I ususally go in August, and it's already November. But at least I'm going. My health is certainly important to me, and although I dread stepping on the scale and having that official number count, I know that I'm healthier than I was last year by a long stretch. I run all the time now, lift weights, and revel in physical activity, especially to decrease school stress these days.

In terms of my asthma, I currently take Advair, and I'm happy because last year at this time I had to take Serevent as well in order to breathe without rasping. I wholly believe that my aerobic activity (running) has helped my breathing. It's amazing--if I don't run for a few days, or I eat too much one week, my breathing seems worse immediately. It's kind of a reference guide to my body and how I'm treating it.

Once at the doctor's, I'll have to do a flow test to measure my breathing. My physician is really terrific, but he always makes me laugh while I'm doing the test, and then the computer reads something pathetic like "TOTAL FAILURE." Oh well.