oh you are lucky Ling to have that appt! Ask Dr Winthrope about the saline in your case. Bring all your questions to him when you go! Remember that prevention is very important with Bronchiectasis. So even though yours is mild you could take measures such as avoid crowds. Avoid anyone who is sick of course. Wear a mask during flu season when you are shopping etc. I kept going to large crowded indoor events every summer for years. Pretty much every time I would come home with a very bad chest cold. I have no doubt that contributed to my Bronchiectasis becoming worse and worse. Cycles of repeated infection/inflammation/worsening of it. I wish I had known better. You are very wise to be pro active now especially at 71! I was in my 40's when I developed Bronchiectasis so i could get away with more (but should not have).