@jenblalock, Hi Jen. From what I have read, it is a progressive disease, but, progresses at different rates for different individuals. The better you take care of yourself and stay on top check-ups; you can slow down the progression. I believe it all comes down to genetics. Some will progress no matter what, while others will live the rest of their lives with only a mild case of bronchiectasis. More than likely, the mac or other organisms we can catch will take us down when we are old and feeble before the bronchiectasis will, (according to my doctor) When you have annual spirometric tests done over the years, they can gage at what rate your lungs may be deteriorating. Mine deteriorated at a steady decline over the past 10 years, I had a pulmonologist do the formula (because I asked) and he said I would most like die at age 58. I just turned 59 and I don't believe I am leaving this earth any time soon. I asked my doctor at Mayo to do the calculation (because such a formula does exist. It is called B.O.D.E.) as to what kind of time I may have left and he refused to do it. He said he does not believe in doing those tests because he believes that the mind is powerful, and that you can think yourself well, or you can think yourself dead. Also, with merging new treatments on the horizon: that test may no longer be accurate. From what I am told, mine is declining at a minimal rate at the present. Plus, there are so many variables. One thing in our favor, we are all on this forum because we care about our health and are diligent about regaining it. You would be surprised at the amount of people who do not take their health seriously, or go to the doctors, or stay on a treatment plan. Those are the kinds of people that make the stats look bad for us.