The problem with this, Thomashow says, is that the lung damage that constitutes COPD can't be reversed; all you can do is halt or slow the progression of the disease.

But I don't think this problem is unique to me, because just about every startup I've seen grinds to a halt when they start raising money-or talking to acquirers.

The problem with that idea is that Beijing has been taking increasingly urgent steps to halt a speculative property boom and has told state Banks to cut lending.