{"id":12582,"date":"2021-03-09T10:46:27","date_gmt":"2021-03-09T00:46:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/?post_type=story&p=12582"},"modified":"2021-03-09T10:47:00","modified_gmt":"2021-03-09T00:47:00","slug":"michelles-story","status":"publish","type":"story","link":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/stories\/michelles-story\/","title":{"rendered":"Michelle’s story"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For Michelle,\u00a0research means\u00a0being able to\u00a0control the progression of lung\u00a0disease,\u00a0and hope of a better quality of life.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Michelle,\u00a0a\u00a055-year-old\u00a0sales and\u00a0marketing manager,\u00a0describes herself as a\u00a0very lucky wife and mother of three wonderful, a adult\u00a0children\u00a0and\u00a0three\u00a0chihuahuas\u00a0–\u00a0a\u00a0healthy, active,\u00a0and sporting family.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But from birth, Michelle battled eczema, chronic asthma, recurring pneumonia, and various chest infections that often led to hospitalisation. In 2008, when her condition worsened with no response to medication, she knew something wasn\u2019t right. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI suffered a\u00a0dramatic weight loss for my small frame in a very short\u00a0space of\u00a0time,\u00a0plus\u00a0chronic fatigue\u00a0and\u00a0rib\/back pain, massive night sweats, weakness and\u00a0a\u00a0debilitating shortness of breath\u00a0just\u00a0walking around home.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBeing\u00a0unable to complete normal daily activities with\u00a0three\u00a0young children was very frustrating and upsetting.\u00a0No one could give me an answer or reasoning.\u201d\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

But Michelle insisted on further testing and, after many months, she was diagnosed with bronchiectasis and Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC). The diagnosis brought relief after so many years with no answers.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite heavy\u00a0treatment\u00a0over\u00a018 months,\u00a0there was\u00a0no change in the MAC infection\u00a0and\u00a0Michelle\u00a0was left with no choice but to\u00a0have\u00a0surgery to remove part of\u00a0her\u00a0lung\u00a0and, shortly after,\u00a0a\u00a0full hysterectomy.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI knew that my lung health and life quality would continue to decline with no cure or reversal. The most difficult thing was telling my husband, family, close friends, and children, who were early teens. I could see how this worried them and I didn\u2019t have all the answers.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the prevalence of\u00a0bronchiectasis continues to increase worldwide,\u00a0there are still so many unknowns about\u00a0diagnosing and treating\u00a0the debilitating condition, and there is no cure.\u00a0But data collected through Lung Foundation Australia\u2019s Australian\u00a0Bronchiectasis Registry\u00a0is supporting ground-breaking research projects to\u00a0help\u00a0create a clearer picture\u00a0and provide hope for people like Michelle.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know only too well what funds can do for not-for profit organisations,\u201d Michelle said.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cResearch brings clarity for patients and doctors in diagnosing, treating, and stabilising the effects of lung conditions, which in turn improves life quality.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy future hope\u00a0is that\u00a0we all better understand the symptoms and cause so that we can reduce lung disease numbers and increase awareness.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research saves lives and gives hope for a cure.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Give hope. Give to research today.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Donate today<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>
\n

About the Australian Bronchiectasis Registry<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lung Foundation Australia\u2019s Australian Bronchiectasis Registry\u00a0(ABR)\u00a0systematically collects data on people diagnosed with bronchiectasis, currently\u00a01,380+ adults and children,\u00a0to provide researchers around the world a critical source of rich data to fuel their studies.\u00a0The\u00a0ABR\u00a0is nationally and internationally recognised for contributing data to\u00a0a number of\u00a0ground-breaking\u00a0research projects. However, in order to continue this important body of work, funding support is needed.\u00a0Find out more about the ABR and how you can help\u00a0give hope for a brighter future.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Learn more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For Michelle,\u00a0research means\u00a0being able to\u00a0control the progression of lung\u00a0disease,\u00a0and hope of a better quality of life. 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