I was diagnosed just over 7 years ago, at the beginning of 2018, but had been ill with repeated respiratory infections for over 2 years. I was sick, weak, coughing non-stop, and could only walk about 50 feet without stopping to cough and catch my breath. I was repeatedly treated for asthma and bronchitis, would fell better for a month or two, then start all over. In Spring 2018 I was diagnosed with Pseudomonas and MAC, treated first for the Pseudo, then for the MAC.

I am healthier now, though 7 years older, than I was at the beginning, bronchiectasis is stable although my lungs are scarred from years of infection, and my asthma under control.

Today I was able to spend 5 hours on a beach at the Gulf of Mexico building sand castles with friends, my body is wiped out but my heart is full.

PS The salt air was like a day in a salt cave - boy are my lungs clearing on their own tonight! Fortunately we were with long time friends who know this is my "normal" just as taking walkers and sturdy chairs is normal for them. We crusty old folks don't let anything get in the way of having a great day. As my Dad used to say "Could heaven be any better than a day like this?"