Be Clear-A Self-Care Method to Living with Bronchiectasis

08/28/2026

Do you ever feel like you’re “Workin’ 9 to 5” just managing your bronchiectasis?

Airway clearance. Nebulizing. Cleaning and sterilizing equipment. Exercise. Nutrition. Reflux precautions. Appointments. Cultures. Medications. Some days it really does feel like a full-time job!

Living with bronchiectasis takes effort. Especially when we’re first diagnosed, there’s so much to learn and so much we think we have to do perfectly.

But this is a lifelong disease, and eventually we have to take what we’ve learned and make it our own.

Find a routine that works for YOUR life. Put in the effort, but be flexible. Some days everything falls into place. Other days you’re traveling, tired, have an early appointment or life simply gets in the way.

Do what you can. Adjust. Then “Here You Come Again” tomorrow.

Bronchiectasis is part of our lives, but it doesn’t have to become our entire life.

And on those days when things don’t go quite as planned?

Sometimes we have to give ourselves a little “Amazing Grace.” ❤️

A little bronchiectasis wisdom inspired by the one and only Dolly Parton. 🎶

08/26/2026

Clients who are underweight or simply not big eaters often look to protein powders, shakes and bars to supplement their diet. When they ask what I recommend, I always refer them to the guidance of registered dietitian Michelle MacDonald, MS, RDN, CDCES.

This is a great opportunity to hear directly from Michelle during Protein Powders and Bars, UnPacked, a World NTM Awareness Day webinar.

Michelle has spent years helping people living with NTM and bronchiectasis address one of the toughest challenges of these diseases: maintaining weight and strength when appetite and energy are limited.

If you’ve ever stood in the supplement aisle wondering which protein powder or bar is actually worth your money, this webinar is for you. Michelle will explain what to look for, what to skip and how to make choices that support your nutrition, strength and energy.

She understands what people living with NTM and bronchiectasis are up against and will offer practical, real-world guidance you can use right away.

There will also be time for live questions, so come ready to ask Michelle anything!
This webinar is especially helpful for patients and caregivers looking for practical, judgment-free guidance on nutrition and weight management.

Sunday, August 30 at 3 PM ET

👉 Register today and join the conversation! https://bit.ly/4ghIncx

08/26/2026

Happy National Dog Day from my sweet grand-doggies, Rocksie and Reed! ❤️

Our constant companions, loyal friends and quiet comfort, especially during life’s most difficult times.

They always seem to know when we need a little extra love. 🐾

08/26/2026

Dr. Colin Swenson, pulmonologist, and Dr. Wendi Drummond, infectious disease specialist, explain why we need to think about reflux precautions even when we don’t have symptoms.

I absolutely love this dynamic duo, and I think you will too! Have a listen to their fabulous podcast at ntmtalk.com⁠

08/24/2026

This is the annual National Jewish Health Bronchiectasis and NTM Patient and Caregiver Conference. I’ve attended six of these conferences, and I can tell you without hesitation: you do not want to miss this one!

https://www.nationaljewish.org/2026-ntm-bronchiectasis-patient-and-family-course-hybrid-event

08/24/2026

Are you looking for tools to stop a cough? Interest in trying some of these?

Living with a persistent cough can be frustrating, exhausting, and ...

08/24/2026

Saturday was the last day of access to the recordings from the Bronchiectasis and NTM Patient Conference sponsored by the nonprofit NTM Info & Research.

So as I like to say, I listened to them again and went mining for golden nuggets!!!💛💛

And this is what I found…

Respiratory therapist Anabel Gonzalez, RRT, from Dr. Anas Hadeh’s BE/NTM team at the Cleveland Clinic in Weston, Florida, reviewed proper airway-clearance techniques. One message came through clearly: use your breath.💨🌬️💨

Whether that means incorporating breath holds, using slow, long exhalations, or gathering energy behind a stronger huff cough, your breath is one of your most important tools for moving mucus.

Even if you’re unable to expel the mucus right away, moving it within the airways still matters. Mucus may need to travel from the smaller airways into the larger airways before you’re able to bring it up. That progress may not always be obvious, but it still counts.⏳⏳

Airway clearance isn’t only about what you see in the moment. It’s also about helping air move behind the mucus, keeping secretions mobile, and making them easier to clear later.

The goal isn’t to force it. Work with your breath, repeat the techniques, and give your lungs time to respond.

Keep breathing. Keep moving. Trust the process. When you get a chance, take a look at my YouTube three-part-breathing video (over 250 videos available on my channel‼️).

It’s part of my Clearance of Airways playlist. It’s a guide to expanding your rib cage sideways to help open the airways and move mucus, improve aeration, and support a more upright posture. 🫁

Click here to watch:
https://tinyurl.com/4hn7u8es

08/23/2026

What a lovely afternoon and evening yesterday!

I took the train to the Connecticut shoreline
where my daughter Daniela has a jewelry store, Water Street Jewelers , and my son-in-law Todd has a restaurant, Prime On The Green .

Before visiting with my daughter or having dinner, I went to a Reiki session. I felt like I was floating on air when I came out. Then I spent time with my daughter while she closed up her store, and we walked next door to eat dinner.

It was a wonderful day filled with relaxation, family time, and delicious food.

Just the reset I needed for a busy week ahead.

08/22/2026

So many of us have limited time because of responsibilities that come with caring for partners in poor health, aging parents, and grandchildren.

This beautiful mug features a design by our BE community artist, Maggie Hart. Maggie has always been there for me with her wise advice. A retired clinical social worker, she combines deep soulfulness with professionalism in a way that is deeply centering.

With such a long to-do list, simply holding it reminds me to take a deep breath and relax.

I also have a yoga mat with another design of hers. That one reminds me to just show up. Even when I’m tired, even when I’m not in the mood, I can just show up and do what I can.

https://maggie-hart.pixels.com/