It all started with a trip to the doctor.

At age 3, freshman Devin Sweezer had been suffering from pneumonia, causing her to have trouble breathing and to have sporadic coughing attacks. After a closer look, doctors found a much bigger issue developing in Sweezer’s left lung.

"I remember my mom and dad were worried about me, and they stayed the night at the hospital with me every night," Sweezer said. "I remember being scared for the surgery because I knew it would hurt afterwards."

Doctors at Devos Children’s Hospital moved quickly to remove a large tumor developing in the lower lobe of Sweezer’s left lung in 1999. She spent a week recovering in the hospital and had to go through a rigorous process of doctor visits and limitations to her everyday life.

"I remember not being able to move because I was very sore from the surgery. It took me awhile to get out of the hospital," Sweezer said. "At home, I had to have IV’s in a lot. I wasn’t able to go outside for about a month. I remember it hurt really badly when doctors had to take the stitches out."

Still today, Sweezer must battle with the effects of the surgery.

"(Having one lung) has caused me asthma that is pretty severe," Sweezer said. "I have to carry around a rescue inhaler everywhere. It has made it harder for me to breathe and do physical activity."

Despite the strain on her body, Sweezer participates in the Marching Band. Her love for band does not come without costs. On a band trip to Cedar Point, an asthma attack left her unconscious at the amusement park.

"I had forgotten my inhaler in my instrument case, and we couldn’t leave the park to go get it," Sweezer said. "There were fog machines because of the Halloween theme in the park, and it made it hard to breath."

The people smoking in the park and the Halloween effects proved to be too much for Sweezer’s body.

"I was walking around with many of my friends when I started not to be able to breath well," Sweezer said. "I wanted to ignore it because I wanted to have fun, but they knew something was wrong because I kept coughing and gasping for air."

While waiting for help to arrive, Sweezer’s attacks got worse. With the help of senior Liam Huth and other friends, Sweezer was able to get help.

"My vision started blacking out. I heard Liam yell something and then everything went black," Sweezer said. "I woke up laying down and saw a bunch of people’s faces. Some of them I didn’t even know. Liam was yelling at me, but I couldn’t hear what he was saying."

The ambulance arrived and Sweezer was brought to the emergency center where her vitals were taken. After a short recovery time, she was allowed to leave with friends and enjoy the rest of the park.

"They saved my life, I’m sure," Sweezer said. "All of my friends were waiting for me in the waiting room."

The limitations Sweezer must deal with are difficult because she is not able to do the things many of her friends do.

"The hardest part for me emotionally is the fact that I can’t do the things other people can do," Sweezer said. "I wish I could participate in sports and exercise with my friends, but it’s hard on me. I wish I could go places and not have to worry about other people smoking. I wish I didn’t have to have an inhaler all the time."

Sweezer said she understands the risks involved that she must battle on a daily basis.

"Advice I have for kids in similar situations would be to always have your rescue inhaler on you, and steer clear from smoke." She said, "You never know when you’ll need it. If you are in a smoky situation, always be with a group of people that can help you."