Laurel Hunt

Bronchiectasis is a lung condition where the tubes in my lungs have been damaged; in my case, it is isolated the bottom of my left lung, which is a really positive thing. The specialists believe that the damage was caused by a severe infection, which matches my suspicions after becoming incredibly unwell with a lung infection which spread to my throat and ears during the swine flue pandemic when I was 9, and having a chesty productive cough ever since. The walls of the tubes - or bronchioles -  in part of my lung have thickened, making mucous collect and harder to clear. Because of this excess mucous in my lung, it puts me at greater risk of getting a lung infection or pneumonia. With the help of respiratory physiotherapy, I have now learned techniques to help me clear my lungs to hopefully prevent future infections as much as possible, and prevent the damage from getting worse.

Exercise is really good for lung clearance and improving lung capacity and health. The damage that has been done to my lungs cannot be reversed, but I want to give myself the best chance possible of it not getting any worse. I am very lucky that I still am pretty healthy and capable of walking and running, so I am taking up running and using it to prevent myself from losing it. I, with my Grandad by my side, will be running the LLHM in April 2025.