As far as actually repairing damaged epithelium or reversing permanent lung changes, that part is still very much in the basic-science phase. Im sure AI can help researchers understand how the epithelium behaves, but it certainly can’t regenerate tissue or undo airway remodeling. I wish it could; I’d be first in line.

Its interesting that you work at a medical school in Puerto Rico. Being around those webinars and meetings probably gives you a good look at how doctors are starting to use AI day-to-day. Even so, I think most of what AI is doing right now is the practical stuff , like reading scans faster, spotting patterns, helping organize data.

I agree with you that if we can land on the moon and send robots to Mars, we should be able to push medicine forward too. Right now we are making significant progress with targeted phenotypes, biologics and better diagnostics- all without AI. Can you imagine what we will be able to do with it? Just in my life time alone, Ive seen the invention of beta 2 agonists like albuterol, anticholenergic inhalers like atrovent or spiriva, anti-leukotriene drugs, inhaled steroids and now biologics. There was virtually no treatment for asthma prior to 1950. I’m hopeful new this technology will bring even more advances, but I think the breakthroughs will come from understanding the biology better, not from AI repairing tissue.

I hope your lungs are behaving at the moment. I always enjoy hearing your perspective.
Take care.

I hope this message finds you well! As always, I enjoyed reading your post. I am very curios of how the disruption of AI these days may accelerate or even aid researchers to find better and more targeted asthma treatments. Something genetic may be involved and if that can be targeted at a clinical level, it certainly could make a difference between physicians and patients. Will it be possible to develop the technology to even repair damage epithelium tissue and fix permanent lung damage in the not so distant future? I don’t know but I hope we can get to the point where AI changes medicine in better ways for us all. I am currently working on a medicine school in Puerto Rico called Universidad Central del Caribe and I was in a meeting with physicians, (Webinar) about how AI is being used in research to find better solutions but at the same time they are being very careful of how they integrate slowly AI within the practice of medicine. For instance, AI can analyze vas amounts of data faster and more effectively than any human, AI can see gaps and analyze CT or X-Ray images faster and more effectively these days than any humans. It can read lab results and associate patterns more effectively and made suggestions so Physicians can decide with a more robust body of evidence over certain diagnosis and have assistance on how to better design a therapy avoiding medicine interactions.

I am one of those who say, if we are planning on another moon landing and trying to reach march with robots and people, we also need to be able to cure with technology the must horrible forms of diseases such as severe or any form of asthma, cancer, and all conditions with another approaches, like more advance ones. I could not imagine the suffering of asthmatics in the 16th century, what they have gone through without any possible effective treatment. If we were able to get to this point that’s at least we manage to have treatments with tartegetted phenotypes, without AI help, what’s can we do now that this tools are there to help advance research and processes like never before. What are your thoughts?

Thanks!

Juan E. Rodriguez Diaz

Lionel, apologies for the very late reply — I somehow missed your comment back then. But better late than never. I really appreciated what you wrote. Your message was thoughtful, generous, and honestly meant a lot to me. Thank you for the kindness and for reminding me why I keep this blog going.

Hello, Yes.. It was working perfectly after 15 years. I had it removed because it wasnt being accessed as often. In the past 2 years Ive had fewer hospitalizations .Thanks for asking.

Hi Sri,

First of all, I’m really sorry you’re having to deal with all of this. What you’re going through sounds incredibly tough, and it’s clear you’ve got a lot more happening than just asthma. Between the bronchiectasis, the restrictive component, the pulmonary hypertension, and the constant secretions, that’s a tremendous amount for anyone to manage.
From what you’ve described, it really does sound like you’re getting very up-to-date and aggressive care — BiPAP, high-flow, multiple bronchs for airway clearance, vest therapy, postural drainage, the whole routine. When you’re doing everything right and still struggling, it wears you down in ways only someone who’s lived it can truly understand. I totally get it!
You asked about oxygen? I only need supplemental O? during severe flares and rarely at home.
Given how often you’re ending up in the hospital with bronchiectasis flare-ups, I wanted to mention something you may already know about. There’s a newer medication called Brinsupri that was recently approved for non-CF bronchiectasis. It doesn’t help with mucus clearance, but it’s designed to reduce the inflammatio-infection cycle that leads to frequent exacerbations. Some people with recurrent flare-ups are starting to use it as a way to break that cycle. It might be something to ask your pulmonologist about if you haven’t already.

I wish I could offer more help than this. Please know you’re not alone, a lot of people out there understand the fight you’re in and Im sure are rooting for you. I truly hope 2026 brings you some easier breathing and a little more peace.

With love,
Steve

Thank you Sheila, she’s the greatest. Btw, how have you been?

Thank you so much Laura!

What a fabulous friend to have!!

2 years without intubation!! That is incredible!! I am so excited for you Stephen!!

As always praying God’s will for you in your health and every thing you do!!?????

Just an idea.

Lionel
Tokyo

Grazie amico mio:]

Hello, The cobble stone is mostly in and around the finish area, with small pockets scattered around some of the tourist areas and piazzas. The rest is mostly paved roads. I’ve done this marathon 3 times and never had a problem with the surfaces. As for shoes, mostly Asics. I prefer a low profile heal, 3mm to zero drop. If you’re doing this marathon, best wishes.