Renay Michele Lambert (63), from Ontario, Canada, is a retired dental supply professional with a passion for cooking, crafting, and live theater. Her life took an unexpected turn when her health began to decline due to breathing difficulties.

Early Life and Family

Asthma and other respiratory issues were quite common in Renay’s family. “My grandfather had asthma as a child, but it was not until he was older in life that he finally received a diagnosis and began treatment. My mother and her siblings all experience different forms of breathing difficulties, including asthma and COPD.” Growing up, Renay was exposed to significant second-hand smoke due to her family’s smoking habits, to which she was very sensitive. “Sometimes I would have to leave the room if there was too much cigarette smoking. I was and still am very sensitive to smoke. For many decades now, I have lived my life and socialized in smoke-free environments.”

Diagnosis

In 2003, following a persistent cold and nasal congestion, Renay began a frustrating journey of misdiagnoses. She endured worsening symptoms, including debilitating coughs and asthma attacks, before finally receiving an accurate diagnosis of asthma and nasal polyps. Reflecting on her experiences, Renay recalls, “During the weeks until I finally went to my scheduled appointments, I felt like a prisoner in my own body. Then, I was misdiagnosed and received the wrong treatment. Meanwhile, my symptoms got worse. No one should ever have to suffer and compromise their lives as I did due to the several egotistical and incompetent doctors that I saw.”

According to Renay, her first respirologist did not take her or her symptoms seriously. “Eventually, he diagnosed me with Reactive Airway Disease (RAD) . Feeling lost and confused by conflicting medical advice, she reached out to Asthma Canada’s Asthma and Allergy HelpLine to better understand her condition. “Asthma Canada helped me see through the misdiagnoses and gave me clarity about what I was experiencing.” I then started to get proactive and educated myself on asthma. After seeing a series of respirologists, ENTs, and allergists, I finally found personable and professional specialists.”

Asthma Management

Over the years, Renay has continued to rely on Asthma Canada’s resources, particularly its educational webinars featuring leading medical experts. She is a regular attendee, finding the information invaluable for managing her asthma and nasal polyps. “I recently attended a session with Dr. Samir Gupta—it was packed with useful insights. I couldn’t take notes fast enough and was so grateful for the recordings to revisit everything.”

Renay’s journey also highlights the challenges of accessing advanced treatments like biologic medications. These therapies have been transformative for her health. “It’s like a miracle drug,” she said, noting that her nasal polyps are under control, and her asthma is well-managed. Despite this, she emphasizes the financial and logistical burdens, including the complexities of insurance and funding. Asthma Canada’s resources have been a source of guidance and reassurance as she navigates these challenges.

Today, Renay’s quality of life has improved significantly, but she remains proactive about her health and vigilant about new symptoms, including recent issues with ear polyps. Reflecting on her journey, she underscores the importance of self-advocacy and finding knowledgeable, supportive doctors.

Renay’s story showcases the critical role Asthma Canada plays in providing resources, education, and advocacy. “Asthma Canada has been fantastic,” she said. “Knowing there’s support out there makes a world of difference.”

If you have questions on managing your asthma and allergies during wildfire season, please contact our free HelpLine at 1-866-787-4050 or info@asthma.ca. Our team of asthma and allergy experts will happily assist you with your asthma control and help put your mind at ease.