Wow, Angela! This is really good news - and answered prayers. I hope that if you have to have chemo it's only for a limited time. But it really does sound like you got a great report. Although I'm sorry to hear that the epidural wasn't totally effective. I hate morphine...it only makes me stupid!
As far as the lung cavity, from what I understand, many do clear on their on. So I would think, and someone else might know more about this than me, that the thinning walls means that the cavity is healing itself. I sure hope so.
I'm a little confused as to why your doctor suggested that your age affects whether or not you get NTM. I know younger folks (in their 30s) who have it. I was 57 when diagnosed. I know a lady who wasn't diagnosed until 85. My research suggests that one contracts it through a combination of things; exposure to water, soil, air; genetic predisposition; immunocompromised and/or some other serious health condition; thin, Caucasian... My doctor at NJH says that more and more folks are being diagnosed with it as physicians become more aware of this lung disease and radiologists are better trained to read CT scans.
A few things I've been told to do/not to do: Run the fan in the bathroom when taking as short a shower as possible (no baths) (I have a rainhead shower to minimize the mist which is not good to breathe); stay out of hot tubs and swimming pools; always wear a mask when gardening; ask your friends/family to let you know if they are sick with a cold so you can either mask around them or stay away (colds/bronchitis are obviously not good for us).
We were going to replace the water lines into our house since mycobacterium is a naturally occurring bacteria found in water and normally not dangerous bacteria that clings to the lining of the water pipes - including from its source - it wouldn't do any good to go that major expense. In short, unless I wanted to replace the pipes from the Colorado River to my house in southern AZ replacing the lines from the street to my house wouldn't serve any purpose.
I hope you are beginning to rest more comfortably and I pray for a speedy recovery. Keep me posted!! All my best, Busy