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MAC lung cavitary disease: Looking for success stories
MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: Oct 16 10:19am | Replies (12)Comment receiving replies
Diagnosed with Mac cavitary form back in may, started on the big 3 in June/july. Breathing issues have gotten worse. I honestly cannot tell whether it is my anxiety causing me to feel this way as I have been thinking about what if I'm not there for my kids, I'm only 25 and my little ones are 7 and 3. I don't want this to kill me and I just keep thinking what if it does? Cavity last measured at 9.2 cm which freaked me out... Is there other options to eradicate the disease and heal the lungs. I do feel somewhat of my breathlessness is from panic/anxiety but I'm just not sure anymore 😭 I want to be around till my kids are older...
Replies to "Diagnosed with Mac cavitary form back in may, started on the big 3 in June/july. Breathing..."
Know that we will all be rooting for you in your journey with all you have to concern yourself with.
Please consider what Sue said if you do have the ability to reach out to others for help.
I know that often I have had to specifically take time out, give myself time, to reflect and think in order to figure routines etc. etc. that will work. Hope you find your way to the best routine for yourself with all you have to do for yourself and family. Bronchiectasis is NOT a death sentence, but it does require us to find our way to doing what we need to do for ourselves so that we can do for others as best we can.
Thinking of You.
Barbara
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Alyssa, with two little kids I bet you're very busy, and having the added stress of MAC isn't helping at all. Do you have help and support from family or friends to help you get through this?
Have you talked to your doctor about worsening breathing issues? Are you working with a pulmonologist? Sometimes there are difficult side effects we need to manage, so good communication is key.
For today/tonight will you please try something simple to help when you feel breathless?
First, have someone watch your kids for a bit, or turn on a video to entertain them.
Then sit quietly in a firm chair (like a kitchen or office chair), relax your neck, shoulders, arms and back and close your eyes.
Think of something pleasant like warm sunshine or a cool breeze.
Take a deep breath in through you nose, hold for a count of 3, let it out slowly through pursed lids. Relax. Repeat 5-10 times, trying to breathe a little deeper and exhale a little longer each time.
Slowly open your eyes, shake out your shoulders and check - do you feel better?
If so, repeat this as often as you can, until it becomes automatic to sit down and do it whenever you feel that anxious/breathless feeling coming on.
Your kids are old enough to teach them "When Mommy sits down and closes her eyes, she is working to make herself feel better. Please be nice and play quietly until she opens her eyes again." Then, the hard part, ignore "Mommy!", spats and their noise until you are done.
Can you tell me how often you are seeing or messaging with your doctor or their staff? Is there a plan for when you will have your next sputum test or scan?