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01:39:35","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1920,"height":1440,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/EducationSeminars2-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/EducationSeminars2-300x225.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":225,"medium_large":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/EducationSeminars2-768x576.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":576,"large":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/EducationSeminars2-1024x768.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":768,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/EducationSeminars2.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1152,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/EducationSeminars2.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1440,"xxlarge":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/EducationSeminars2-1920x1440.jpg","xxlarge-width":1920,"xxlarge-height":1440,"xlarge":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/EducationSeminars2.jpg","xlarge-width":1280,"xlarge-height":960,"header-navigation":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/EducationSeminars2-480x1080.jpg","header-navigation-width":480,"header-navigation-height":1080,"link-category":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/EducationSeminars2-380x256.jpg","link-category-width":380,"link-category-height":256,"card":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/EducationSeminars2-450x450.jpg","card-width":450,"card-height":450,"gform-image-choice-sm":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/EducationSeminars2.jpg","gform-image-choice-sm-width":300,"gform-image-choice-sm-height":225,"gform-image-choice-md":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/EducationSeminars2.jpg","gform-image-choice-md-width":400,"gform-image-choice-md-height":300,"gform-image-choice-lg":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/EducationSeminars2.jpg","gform-image-choice-lg-width":600,"gform-image-choice-lg-height":450}},"title":"Education Webinars","description":"<p>Learn more about your condition, including topics such as managing your condition, current research, and treatment options. Our online education webinars are delivered by leading health professionals across Australia.<\/p>\n","link_url":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/patients-carers\/get-support\/education-seminars\/"},{"image":{"ID":1409,"id":1409,"title":"PR","filename":"PR.jpg","filesize":825927,"url":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/PR.jpg","link":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/patients-carers\/conditions\/bronchiectasis\/support\/pr\/","alt":"","author":"1","description":"","caption":"","name":"pr","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":1480,"date":"2018-09-18 00:14:39","modified":"2018-09-18 01:39:35","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1920,"height":1282,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/PR-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/PR-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/PR-768x513.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":513,"large":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/PR-1024x684.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":684,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/PR.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1026,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/PR.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1282,"xxlarge":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/PR-1920x1282.jpg","xxlarge-width":1920,"xxlarge-height":1282,"xlarge":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/PR.jpg","xlarge-width":1280,"xlarge-height":855,"header-navigation":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/PR-480x1080.jpg","header-navigation-width":480,"header-navigation-height":1080,"link-category":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/PR-380x256.jpg","link-category-width":380,"link-category-height":256,"card":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/PR-450x450.jpg","card-width":450,"card-height":450,"gform-image-choice-sm":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/PR.jpg","gform-image-choice-sm-width":300,"gform-image-choice-sm-height":200,"gform-image-choice-md":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/PR.jpg","gform-image-choice-md-width":400,"gform-image-choice-md-height":267,"gform-image-choice-lg":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/PR.jpg","gform-image-choice-lg-width":600,"gform-image-choice-lg-height":401}},"title":"Pulmonary Rehabilitation","description":"<p>This exercise and education program, provided by specially trained health professionals, teaches you the skills needed to manage symptoms such as breathless and to stay well and out of hospital. <\/p>\n","link_url":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/patients-carers\/get-support\/lung-disease-and-exercise\/pulmonary-rehabilitation\/"},{"image":{"ID":1489,"id":1489,"title":"LIA - thumbnail 800px","filename":"LIA-thumbnail-800px.jpg","filesize":226425,"url":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/LIA-thumbnail-800px.jpg","link":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/patients-carers\/conditions\/bronchiectasis\/support\/lia-thumbnail-800px\/","alt":"","author":"1","description":"","caption":"","name":"lia-thumbnail-800px","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":1480,"date":"2018-09-18 01:38:22","modified":"2018-09-18 01:38:22","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":800,"height":595,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/LIA-thumbnail-800px-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/LIA-thumbnail-800px-300x223.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":223,"medium_large":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/LIA-thumbnail-800px-768x571.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":571,"large":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/LIA-thumbnail-800px.jpg","large-width":800,"large-height":595,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/LIA-thumbnail-800px.jpg","1536x1536-width":800,"1536x1536-height":595,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/LIA-thumbnail-800px.jpg","2048x2048-width":800,"2048x2048-height":595,"xxlarge":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/LIA-thumbnail-800px.jpg","xxlarge-width":800,"xxlarge-height":595,"xlarge":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/LIA-thumbnail-800px.jpg","xlarge-width":800,"xlarge-height":595,"header-navigation":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/LIA-thumbnail-800px-480x595.jpg","header-navigation-width":480,"header-navigation-height":595,"link-category":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/LIA-thumbnail-800px-380x256.jpg","link-category-width":380,"link-category-height":256,"card":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/LIA-thumbnail-800px-450x450.jpg","card-width":450,"card-height":450,"gform-image-choice-sm":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/LIA-thumbnail-800px.jpg","gform-image-choice-sm-width":300,"gform-image-choice-sm-height":223,"gform-image-choice-md":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/LIA-thumbnail-800px.jpg","gform-image-choice-md-width":400,"gform-image-choice-md-height":298,"gform-image-choice-lg":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/LIA-thumbnail-800px.jpg","gform-image-choice-lg-width":600,"gform-image-choice-lg-height":446}},"title":"Lungs in Action","description":"<p>People who exercise regularly are more likely to maintain their capacity to exercise, which supports every day activities. You can attend community-based Lungs in Action exercise classes offered in different locations throughout Australia. <\/p>\n","link_url":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/patients-carers\/get-support\/lung-disease-and-exercise\/lungs-in-action\/"},{"image":{"ID":1414,"id":1414,"title":"Support-Groups","filename":"Support-Groups.jpg","filesize":778213,"url":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Support-Groups.jpg","link":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/patients-carers\/conditions\/bronchiectasis\/overview\/support-groups\/","alt":"","author":"1","description":"","caption":"","name":"support-groups","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":1331,"date":"2018-09-18 00:15:26","modified":"2018-09-18 01:07:13","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1920,"height":1280,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Support-Groups-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Support-Groups-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Support-Groups-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Support-Groups-1024x683.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":683,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Support-Groups.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Support-Groups.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1280,"xxlarge":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Support-Groups-1920x1280.jpg","xxlarge-width":1920,"xxlarge-height":1280,"xlarge":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Support-Groups.jpg","xlarge-width":1280,"xlarge-height":853,"header-navigation":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Support-Groups-480x1080.jpg","header-navigation-width":480,"header-navigation-height":1080,"link-category":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Support-Groups-380x256.jpg","link-category-width":380,"link-category-height":256,"card":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Support-Groups-450x450.jpg","card-width":450,"card-height":450,"gform-image-choice-sm":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Support-Groups.jpg","gform-image-choice-sm-width":300,"gform-image-choice-sm-height":200,"gform-image-choice-md":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Support-Groups.jpg","gform-image-choice-md-width":400,"gform-image-choice-md-height":267,"gform-image-choice-lg":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Support-Groups.jpg","gform-image-choice-lg-width":600,"gform-image-choice-lg-height":400}},"title":"Support groups ","description":"<p>Support groups provide people in similar situations the opportunity to come together to support each other, share practical tips and to help break down the sense of isolation that can often be experienced. Lung Foundation Australia can help connect you to a support group near you. <\/p>\n","link_url":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/patients-carers\/get-support\/support-groups\/"}]},{"acf_fc_layout":"featured_posts_static","heading":"Real Bronchiectasis Stories","view_more_link":"","posts":[{"ID":449,"post_author":"3","post_date":"2018-09-06 13:47:18","post_date_gmt":"2018-09-06 03:47:18","post_content":"My name is Ingrid Lippett, I\u2019m a mother and school teacher diagnosed with bronchiectasis in 2006 at age 65.\r\n\r\nI was out and about with my teenage children one day when I began coughing violently. Luckily we had just arrived home when the coughing turned from mucus to blood. It wasn\u2019t a small amount, it just kept coming but I thought it was a side effect of the bronchitis I had just got over. But to no avail I kept on coughing up blood on and off for another day until I saw my general practitioner (GP). He thought the bronchitis has damaged my throat lining.\r\n\r\nI continued to have trouble with coughing up blood so I changed doctors. This doctor was concerned and he sent me off for an x-ray and a bronchoscopy, but neither showed us anything. Finally, an open lung biopsy and CT scan showed that I had a few white spots on one lung.\r\n\r\nMy first specialist was very matter of fact and didn\u2019t offer me the support and information I needed. He didn\u2019t seem to know what would help so I changed specialists. My current specialist knows a great deal about my condition but is not very enthusiastic about my endeavours to vend off an oxygen tank. Early on with my diagnosis I found visits to the chiropractor greatly beneficial as it loosened up my ribs so my lungs don\u2019t feel imprisoned by them. I continue to see my chiro once a month.\r\n\r\nI\u2019m not sure what caused my bronchiectasis, however when I was first diagnosed I thought it may have been due to living in an apple growing area where they used nasty chemicals to treat the fruit.\r\n<blockquote>When I was diagnosed, my family were very supportive although they were bewildered because \u2018I looked okay\u2019.<\/blockquote>\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-451\" src=\"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Ingrid-2-cropped.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"401\" \/>\r\n\r\nAfter taking a term off from my job as a school teacher, I began teaching physical education again which I thought would be good to \u2018push the boundary\u2019. I feel good most of the time and I attribute that to my positive attitude and gusto.\r\n\r\nDespite my family being supportive, I often have had to ask them to slow down or stop while we are walking because I get very breathless walking quickly or up a hill. I feel embarrassed and I think my family do too.\r\n<blockquote>I seem to be telling people on a regular basis about my condition to justify why I only teach two days, have a disability car card or can\u2019t do a range of activities, drink alcohol and have a fat face and body.<\/blockquote>\r\nI get a bit paranoid about the sun damaging my skin which is a side effect of the tablets so I always pester my family about utilising the shade wherever we go. I also find myself feeling guilty for being sick as all of my family have had cancer, including my husband who was recently diagnosed, and \u2018mothers are supposed to be supportive and reliable.\u2019\r\n\r\nI have completed two rehabilitation exercise programs but was told that I couldn\u2019t continue as two courses were enough support for someone in my condition. I then began attending an exercise program for the elderly but was told I couldn\u2019t continue because I was too young.\r\n\r\nI live on a property that has a steep driveway which I use as a great indicator to how my condition is going. If I am breathless when walking up, I know I need to take it easier. I feel very excited when I can walk up the driveway without any ill effects.\r\n\r\nMy specialist is very amazed that, despite living with my condition for 12 years, I have avoided the oxygen tank he said I would have to start using five years ago. My lung function tests show that they are stable, allowing me to still work two days a week as a science teacher and do a range of activities like babysitting my grandchildren, tai chi and singing in a choir.\r\n\r\nI do get breathless but I often stop and remind myself that I am sick.\r\n\r\nSomething that has really helped my breathing is a BreatheAbility course. This course focuses on breathing through your nose instead of through your mouth.\r\n\r\nI like to challenge myself and my lungs so in 2018 I plan to learn how to play the harmonica and flute. I am often surprised by the reaction of people when they find out I am sick.\r\n<blockquote>It\u2019s not going to get me without a fight.<\/blockquote>\r\n<h4>Sharing your personal experience with lung disease is a compelling and inspiring way for others to learn about and cope with their diagnosis. Your story may also encourage people to identify and act on symptoms they are experiencing, which may otherwise have been ignored.<\/h4>\r\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/get-involved\/how-you-can-help\/share-your-story\/\">Share your story, here<\/a>.<\/h4>","post_title":"Ingrid's story","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ingrids-story","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2018-10-18 15:04:20","post_modified_gmt":"2018-10-18 05:04:20","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/?post_type=story&#038;p=449","menu_order":0,"post_type":"story","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":432,"post_author":"3","post_date":"2018-09-06 13:10:04","post_date_gmt":"2018-09-06 03:10:04","post_content":"<p>My name is Joanne; I enjoy walking to stay active, pottering around the home I share with my husband, and entertaining family and friends. In November 2016 at the age of 51, I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis. Except for childhood bronchitis, I lead a very healthy life so I was surprised by the diagnosis.<\/p>\n<p>My symptoms began in the beginning of 2016. I was working as a full-time kindergarten teacher as well as volunteering for a number of organisations in my spare time. I had persistent cold-like symptoms and shortness of breath that was greatly impacting on my ability to breathe. \u00a0I noticed my post-nasal drip increased, along with large amounts of phlegm that would pool in my throat. The coughing fits would frequently wake me and my partner up as I tried to clear the phlegm. \u00a0Around the same time I was extremely tired and lethargic and my body was breaking out in hives. Suddenly, walking great distances left me very short of breath.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Some days I struggled to walk to the post box without being out of breath, and it would take me a long time to recover from the walking. I put it down to being unfit and extreme stress from work.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Luckily, I have a very supportive husband and family who voiced their concerns with the state of my health, which progressively worsened over the year. \u00a0In hindsight it was because I ignored the signals my body had been giving me for months that I was not well. My family had a history of lung related illnesses but I didn\u2019t connect that I could too. I didn\u2019t really think the persistent croupy cough was something to worry about or to seek medical advice because I put it down to working with small children, where catching colds and viruses was common place.<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-434\" src=\"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/3X0A5098-resized-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I was incredibly lucky to be referred to a lung specialist by my general practitioner (GP) who was able to fit me in within two weeks. \u00a0The specialist performed a lung function test, and I had bloods and scans taken. The lung function test was poor; no wonder I was so short of breath. \u00a0The scans showed pus-like cysts in both lungs - the right was completely congested and the left was doing all the work.\u00a0 The lungs also showed considerable scarring. \u00a0My specialist was brilliant and explained that bronchiectasis was quite common, treatable and could be managed with antibiotics and quality self-care. I underwent a bronchoscopy to clear the fluid out of the lungs and afterwards antibiotics twice weekly to clear the lung infection. I also sort advice from an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist for the post-nasal drip and discovered nasal polyps which were treated with short term steroids and a long term nasal spray application and salt nasal cleanses.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>I didn\u2019t listen to the very overt clues my body was giving me. I overrode all the signals until I had run my body into a state of ill health which took a long time to recover from.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Had I sought medical advice early, there may not have been as much scarring or recovery time. A year on and I still have exacerbations but I go to the doctor immediately so recovery is quick.<\/p>\n<p>The GP was correct in that it is a lifelong medical condition, however if you listen to your body, see your doctors regularly and take responsibility with looking after your health and wellbeing then bronchiectasis is definitely manageable.\u00a0I chose to be an equal partner in staying informed and understanding the nature of my illness. I continue to find ways to support myself and the care that is needed to stay healthy. The specialist discussed what treatments may help along with giving me a brochure from Lung Foundation Australia on bronchiectasis and I visited their website for further information, which really helped. I also followed the ENT\u2019s advice and worked with a physiotherapist to strengthen my lungs. The good news is my lung function which was re-tested in March 2018 has increased to over 70%, which was not expected from my first lot of scans.\u00a0 I am currently taking antibiotics twice weekly to manage the bronchiectasis and I treat my lungs as if they are insured for a million dollars, quality self-care is the most important gift I can give to myself because it allows me to lead a full and healthy life.<\/p>\n<h4>Sharing your personal experience with lung disease is a compelling and inspiring way for others to learn about and cope with their diagnosis. Your story may also encourage people to identify and act on symptoms they are experiencing, which may otherwise have been ignored.<\/h4>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/get-involved\/how-you-can-help\/share-your-story\/\">Share your story, here<\/a>.<\/h4>\n\n<!-- wp:core-embed\/youtube {\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/watch?v=02L2Tz5vtqA\",\"type\":\"video\",\"providerNameSlug\":\"youtube\",\"className\":\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=02L2Tz5vtqA\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:core-embed\/youtube -->","post_title":"Joanne's story","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"joannes-story","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-10-20 16:20:41","post_modified_gmt":"2020-10-20 06:20:41","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/?post_type=story&#038;p=432","menu_order":0,"post_type":"story","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":376,"post_author":"3","post_date":"2018-09-05 16:11:08","post_date_gmt":"2018-09-05 06:11:08","post_content":"<h3 class=\"lead\">I tend to keep my condition to myself, mainly because you just don\u2019t want people to judge, you don\u2019t want to be treated any differently.<\/h3>\r\n[youtube https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GnNgX40cBFI?rel=0]\r\nMy name is Jeff Fisher, I am 34 years of age and I have moderate bronchiectasis, a lung condition characterised by chronic infection in small airways that results in some parts of the lung becoming damaged, scarred and dilated, allowing infected mucus to build up in pockets.\r\n\r\nI'm not one hundred per cent sure when I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis as I was quite young however the primary cause was pneumocystis pneumonia which I had when I was three months old. The infection was caused by an underlying immune deficiency that made me susceptible to frequent chest infections. This resulted in scarring and thickening of my bronchi. I believe the diagnosis of bronchiectasis was made progressively using CT scans in the following years. This is when I experienced symptoms including a persistent cough, frequent chest infections, increase in chest secretions and shortness of breath.\r\n<blockquote>When I was initially diagnosed with bronchiectasis, I was fairly unaware of it and what it meant, as I was young. To me, it was an annoying cough and the occasional chest infection, similar to what other kids would experience in the cooler months of the year.<\/blockquote>\r\nI've managed my health well through exercise and regular airway clearance which means I can minimise my cough and conceal my symptoms. As I\u2019ve gotten older, I've become more aware of the condition though as it has affected my fitness and I frequently experience shortness of breath.\r\n\r\nWhen I do experience a flare-up of my symptoms, which happens once or twice a year, symptoms include a persistent cough and increased secretions (phlegm or mucus) and this is when I\u2019ve experienced the stigma attached to lung disease.\r\n\r\nPeople's automatic reactions range quite significantly. Some people are genuinely concerned whilst others are repulsed and appear disgusted \u2013 which is particularly understandable in the flu season although I do wish people would give me the benefit of the doubt. It can be quite demoralising.\r\n\r\nWhilst most people are understanding and sympathetic when I inform them of my condition, I feel like I shouldn\u2019t be judged before having the chance to explain it to them.\r\n<blockquote>\"When you think about what you go through day-to-day, to think people out there think it\u2019s self-inflicted and that is my own fault is quite hurtful.\"<\/blockquote>\r\nWhilst there are some things I can\u2019t do as easily as others, I do manage my condition well and live a regular day-to-day life. I've taken up rowing again recently which has been great for my lungs. I use an indoor rowing ergometer daily and when I am able, I like to get out and row on the Brisbane River or Moreton Bay. I've also travelled\u00a0all over Europe, New Zealand and Asia and am really looking forward to exploring the other continents in the future.\r\n\r\nI studied civil and electrical engineering and I now work in the water sector in strategic network planning and hydraulic modelling.\u00a0I'm enjoying applying electrical engineering techniques to traditional civil engineering applications. I've also continued to work on my electrical engineering thesis project which I finished earlier this year which was an electro-mechanical oscillating\u00a0positive pressure expiratory (OPEP) device. I'm in the middle of designing a new prototype\u00a0which I hope to finish over the coming weekends.\r\n\r\nI'm also really into maker culture so I always have a lot of tech projects on the go - I dabble in building robotics, drones, 3D printing and other gadgets.\r\n<h4>Sharing your personal experience with lung disease is a compelling and inspiring way for others to learn about and cope with their diagnosis. Your story may also encourage people to identify and act on symptoms they are experiencing, which may otherwise have been ignored.<\/h4>\r\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/get-involved\/how-you-can-help\/share-your-story\/\">Share your story, here<\/a>.<\/h4>","post_title":"Jeff's story","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"jeffs-story","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2018-10-18 15:30:52","post_modified_gmt":"2018-10-18 05:30:52","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/?post_type=story&#038;p=376","menu_order":0,"post_type":"story","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}]},{"acf_fc_layout":"cta_horizontal","heading":"Become a member","copy":"Join Lung Foundation Australia to stay up to date with services, events and information that will help you to live well with your lung condition. Membership offers access to a range of benefits, including access to a hard copy of our quarterly LungNet newsletter.    ","link":{"title":"Sign Up Now","url":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/become-a-member\/","target":""},"link_icon":"none","background":{"background_type":"Image","image":{"ID":3099,"id":3099,"title":"membership_1920x450","filename":"membership_1920x450.jpg","filesize":480225,"url":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/membership_1920x450.jpg","link":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/patients-carers\/living-with-a-lung-disease\/pf\/support\/membership_1920x450\/","alt":"","author":"12","description":"","caption":"","name":"membership_1920x450","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":1274,"date":"2018-09-25 09:36:02","modified":"2018-09-25 09:36:02","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1920,"height":450,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/membership_1920x450-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/membership_1920x450-300x70.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":70,"medium_large":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/membership_1920x450-768x180.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":180,"large":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/membership_1920x450-1024x240.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":240,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/membership_1920x450.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":360,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/membership_1920x450.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":450,"xxlarge":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/membership_1920x450-1920x450.jpg","xxlarge-width":1920,"xxlarge-height":450,"xlarge":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/membership_1920x450.jpg","xlarge-width":1280,"xlarge-height":300,"header-navigation":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/membership_1920x450-480x450.jpg","header-navigation-width":480,"header-navigation-height":450,"link-category":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/membership_1920x450-380x256.jpg","link-category-width":380,"link-category-height":256,"card":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/membership_1920x450-450x450.jpg","card-width":450,"card-height":450,"gform-image-choice-sm":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/membership_1920x450.jpg","gform-image-choice-sm-width":300,"gform-image-choice-sm-height":70,"gform-image-choice-md":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/membership_1920x450.jpg","gform-image-choice-md-width":400,"gform-image-choice-md-height":94,"gform-image-choice-lg":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/membership_1920x450.jpg","gform-image-choice-lg-width":600,"gform-image-choice-lg-height":141}},"colour":"#ffffff","overlay":"None","repeat":false}}],"subtitle":"Bronchiectasis","disable_header_overlay":false},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1480","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1480"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1480\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":90827,"href":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1480\/revisions\/90827"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1329"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3141"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lungfoundation.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1480"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}