@mikejj244
@scoop25

Mike, Scoop's advice has always been spot on for me. He is worth listening to

Like you, I live in Dallas Ft Worth area and started my journey with a local pulmonologist who looked at x-rays done by my PCP and immediately ordered a chest CT. Based on the results of the CT I then had a robotic bronchoscopy to biopsy suspicious area and collect multiple sputum samples . Based on what those tests showed, my local pulmonologist then very strongly recommended I go to Tyler for BE and NTM care.

I have found it well worth the 2 hour drive to go to UT Health in Tyler. I recommend them so highly. That's where I found the experts and coordinated multidisciplinary approach I needed.

The well-known Dr. McShane is no longer at UT Tyler. But the team she left behind has impressed me. Based on her recommendation, I see Dr. Mehta and have been very satisfied with care I receive.

FYI, I have bronchiectasis and confirmed antibiotic resistant Mycobacterium Abscessus NTM and Mycobacterium Intracellular NTM.

I know this because with the guidance of the team at UT Tyler I am able to produce monthly sputum samples at home and mail them in to their lab. The UT Tyler pathology lab is a "reference lab" and even well known centers such as UTMB Galveston send some sputum samples their for advanced testing.

I receive detailed pathology reports viewable online including culture results and genetic sequencing for NTM at the subspecies level and susceptibility testing for various antibiotics.

I have been making quarterly visits in person to Tyler and can do it in a day trip by car as long as there's another driver.

This all may seem overwhelming at this stage for you. I know it was for me a year ago before I got properly diagnosed and learned much more about bronchiectasis and NTM.

This group has been priceless for me. I'm happy to add some information and hope it helps you.

Ed