Dana Reeve

I just heard that Dana Reeve died from lung cancer. How sad for her son to lose her so soon after losing his father Christopher. They were both remarkable people. The talking heads are holding forth about how puzzling it is that she had lung cancer since she'd never smoked. They probably wouldn't have to look too far to discover that she lived much of her life in a smoky environment.

I say this because I'm a non-smoker, but I was the child of parents who smoked heavily. Traveling by car when I was a child was a nightmare of breathing a constant stream of smoke.

My first "grown up" job was in a military credit union with 34 other people. I was the only non-smoker. I'd go home with my hair, clothes, shoes, and purse reeking of cigarette smoke.

I sometimes wonder how much second-hand smoke I've endured. I couldn't tell you how many respiratory infections, bronchitis, and pneumonia I've had through the years. I might as well have smoked for all the good abstaining has done for me. With the help of a respiratory specialist, I've done well for the last ten years with the exception of these first few months of 2006.

My dad started smoking when he was 13 and never stopped. Smoking contributed to his death. I lost a friend in 2000 to lung cancer. I think kids who want to smoke should be required to visit hospitals and nursing homes and see what a lifetime of smoking can do. It is NOT a pretty picture.