I was the same way; I started thinking about my will. I'm not saying I am okay with it all, but this site has helped. I was diagnosed the day after Thanksgiving a couple of months ago. I had no one to get more information about it because of the holidays. All I could do was get the meds they prescribed. Even the person who called me was unreachable. She left me a voicemail. (to this day, no one can figure out who she was. She said she was associated with my medical group and one of our local hospitals, which is not where I got the testing done.)

What makes me not feel great about this is before I got bronchitis, which started the testing because I wasn't responding to antibiotics, I had minor symptoms. They diagnosed the pneumonia, and off we went to find out how to treat it. The thing is, my symptoms were not from the MAC. I was finally able to get rid of the bronchitis, but I still have a tight chest and shortness of breath. It was better when I could take prednisone, but my pulmonologist said no. I don't know why.

My Infectious disease doctor says this is entirely curable. The holes and spots in my lungs will go away. I hold onto this, and it helps me. Coming here is also the best depression medicine I can take.

My case differs slightly from most here; I don't have mucus. From what I can gather, it is all the Bronchiectasis. I do have asthma, which is no worse than before the diagnosis.

I am 62, the most common age for MAC to appear.

One last note: Most of the fear comes from something we can't control. So, take control. I have asked questions and brought in information to my doctors. This has given me a say in how I am being treated. Also, I made the call to the specialist. I don't have an appointment until June, but it is a start. (I'm on a cancellation list, which has never worked for me). Also, keep busy. Take your mind off of it. I can't work full-time right now, so I am sculpting polymer clay and making some stuff to sell at a show this month. I also find that driving actually improves my breathing. My mom even noticed it. I have no idea why other than I love to drive.

From what I have learned, you stand a very good chance of watching your kids and their kids grow up. I can't say you absolutely will, but it is most likely the MAC is not what will stop it.