Donna L. is no stranger to managing lung disease. As a young child, she tested positive for inactive tuberculosis (TB) during a routine TB skin test administered at school. After completing treatment, she went on with her life and thought little about it.
Years later, however, Donna began experiencing a troubling pattern. She developed pneumonia nearly every year, sometimes more than once a year. Though she received treatment every time, no one investigated why the pneumonia kept returning. At the time, Donna didn't know she had bronchiectasis. She just knew she kept getting sick.
For people living with bronchiectasis, recurrent lung infections cause permanent damage to the airways, making it harder to clear mucus from the lungs. When mucus builds up, germs can become trapped in the airways, increasing the risk of infection. These infections can cause additional lung damage, which further impairs the lungs’ ability to clear mucus and increases the risk of future infections. This is known as the “vicious cycle” of bronchiectasis.
For years the cycle continued, until a family physician, who was also a close family friend, offered a simple but life-changing observation, “If someone doesn't find out why you keep getting pneumonia, your health will continue to decline."
Those words became a turning point in Donna's journey and set her on the path to uncover the underlying cause of her recurring lung infections.
Getting Closer to an Answer
Living in a small town, Donna spent years searching for answers as respiratory infections continued to disrupt her life. Despite repeated bouts of pneumonia and visits with multiple healthcare providers, no one could explain why the infections kept returning.
Determined to understand what was happening to her health, she eventually sought care from a pulmonologist in a nearby city. At around age 50, she finally received a diagnosis of MAC lung disease, a chronic lung infection caused by a group of bacteria called Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC).
Finally receiving a diagnosis brought some relief, but it also raised new questions. Shortly afterward, her pulmonologist relocated, leaving Donna without a care team during a time when she was still trying to understand a complex and unfamiliar disease.
"I felt frightened, confused and alone," Donna recalled. What felt like another setback would ultimately become a turning point, prompting Donna to take a more active role in learning about her condition and searching for the specialized care she needed.
Finding the Right Specialist
Donna began researching and joined an online support group for people living with MAC lung disease. Through conversations with others, she noticed many members discussing bronchiectasis, a condition she was not familiar with. The support group also introduced her to a pulmonologist who specialized in rare lung diseases.
Eager for answers, Donna traveled to see the specialist. Not only did she begin receiving treatment for her MAC lung disease, but she also learned she was living with bronchiectasis, an underlying condition that likely contributed to years of recurring respiratory infections. Together, Donna and her care team developed a treatment plan tailored to both her health needs and her lifestyle.
"My pulmonologist recommended using my nebulizer four times a day initially," Donna said. "That was challenging for me because I own and operate several businesses, and it was difficult to maintain that schedule."
By openly discussing her concerns, Donna and her pulmonologist were able to find an approach that allowed her to manage her symptoms while also continuing to participate in activities that were important to her.
More recently, Donna noticed a change in her symptoms, which included increased mucus and extreme fatigue. She informed her specialist and was diagnosed with a fungal infection that her pulmonologist believes may have been caused by exposure to fungal spores on her husband's farming clothes. Though this felt like another roadblock, it led to a treatment that has made a remarkable difference in her daily life: an airway clearance vest.
Designed to help loosen and clear mucus from the lungs, the vest has become an important part of Donna's bronchiectasis management plan. "It changed my life," Donna said. Combined with her other treatments, the airway clearance vest has provided the greatest improvement in her symptoms and helped her better manage the cycle of mucus buildup, infection and lung damage associated with bronchiectasis.
Turning Experience into Purpose
Inspired by her own journey, Donna is now focused on helping others navigate life while living with a lung disease. "Bronchiectasis has forced me to slow down, but it hasn't taken away my purpose," Donna said.
Donna completed training to become a Better Breathers Club facilitator and is working to bring a Club to her hometown. She hopes to create a welcoming space where people can connect, share experiences and learn from one another. Throughout her journey, Donna relied on both perseverance and faith. She believes that even during the most difficult moments, there was a reason for her experiences and that they would one day allow her to help others facing similar challenges.
Looking back on her journey, Donna encourages others living with bronchiectasis to actively participate in their own care. She emphasizes the importance of asking questions, seeking a second opinion when needed and finding a healthcare provider who specializes in your lung condition.
Her message is simple, don't stop searching for answers and support.
Learn more at Lung.org/bronchiectasis.
Educational content created with support from Boehringer Ingelheim
Blog last updated: September 8, 2026
