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Newbie MAC caregiver with questions

MAC & Bronchiectasis | Last Active: Jun 23, 2022 | Replies (25)

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@melissa08

Thank you, thank you, for the thoughtful advice and the virtual pat on the back. Both are greatly appreciated. Getting Bruce to take in enough fluids is an issue, not surprisingly since he feels like he is underwater most days with the amount of sputum he brings up, sometimes with very few breaks.
Managing MAC is challenging. Finding this discussion group and reading the stories and recommendations feels like our own personal tunnel will get shorter and the road less bumpy.

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Replies to "Thank you, thank you, for the thoughtful advice and the virtual pat on the back. Both..."

Melissa - Thank You for providing me with an idea of what it must have been like for my husband when I was being treated for MAC. I too had coughing, profound fatigue, no appetite, weight loss, altered sense of taste...

A few of the things that helped my recovery were a water glass always at hand, no matter where I sat, tiny, nutritious snacks/meals every hour throughout the day, and protein drinks and smoothies.

Something else I learned was that before nebbing and airway clearance to walk a little - in the yard, down the block or even in the house it seemed to help move the mucus.

Another was to walk every day for a little while no matter how awful I felt - like Bruce I had always been a walker. At first it was only around the yard once, sit for a while and do it again. I gradually worked up to one mile, then two over a period of many weeks. This actually lifted my depression better than anything, even though I often needed a nap when I got home.

Caregiving is also a tough job. Have you found one small thing you can do for yourself each day to make things go more smoothly?

I wish you both an easier road as you go forward.
Sue