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Our stories mirror in some ways, but I am so happy for you being a patient at NJH and hopefully they will set you straight for quality of life. I was lucky to tolerate 2 of the 3 drugs for NTM, had IV intervention for 5 months for the 3rd, but stayed on the others for 18 months until April, 2018. I have felt pretty good for years after, even with the BE until I somehow contracted Pseudomonas a last summer. It's been a struggle because I cannot tolerate the oral drugs they wanted to give me but had IV Meropenen for 2 weeks and have been nebulizing Tobramycin once a month for a week ever since. Nebulizing causes a lot of problems regarding gagging and coughing, but I'm getting through those 8 days. I am also on Azrithomycin 3X a week which I seem to be tolerating.
I will be 81 in March and try to stay in good shape walking and some indoor exercise. I ended my teaching career in Middle School 6th grade Social Studies/English and loved it. Good for you for teaching Jr. High as well! We are special people and yes different, but it's comforting to be able to share the journey. Be well.
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Loved your teaching story. I taught English and Social Studies also and loved the junior high level so much! I was a competitive runner for years until my retirement. I now take daily walks and have several creative activities to keep me busy, mostly illustrations and writing prose and poetry. This has helped me through some of the more difficult times.
I'm sorry for your struggles, but I'm glad you have had some good years. We do appreciate "time off" from the disease, but we also know that it isn't predictable no matter what we do to try to eradicate it, which, for the most part, isn't possible. Thinking positive helps!
I wish you the best journey as you go forward.