Marcela lives in southern Portugal. In this video, she describes her experience of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), from the changes in her health that led to a diagnosis to the effects the condition and its treatment have had on her everyday life.
Marcela shared a follow-up in 2026: Read about her everyday life with ABPA, pacing and finding support
From asthma to an ABPA diagnosis
Marcela had lived with asthma for many years and felt it was generally under control. She describes a change in her health in 2020, with a persistent cough, tiredness and other symptoms that were difficult to explain. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she found it difficult to get the investigations she felt she needed.
After seeking another medical opinion, Marcela had further tests, including a CT scan and bronchoscopy. She was diagnosed with ABPA in 2022. Until then, she had not heard of the condition and was surprised by how much it changed her life.
The challenges of treatment and everyday life
Marcela speaks openly about the difficulty of managing a complex condition alongside the effects she has experienced during treatment. She describes changes to her voice, concentration, energy and mood, and the impact these have had on her work as a lawyer, her family life and her ability to make plans.
She also reflects on how hard it can be when other people assume that someone is well because they look well. For Marcela, connecting with people who understand the experience has been an important source of support.
Finding support and adapting
Marcela says that the National Aspergillosis Centre’s patient support group helped her learn about aspergillosis and feel less alone. She values being able to ask questions and hear from people with similar experiences, especially on difficult days.
She has also found ways to adapt activities to how she is feeling, including photography, spending time with friends, listening to music and practising gentle activities when she can. She describes learning to prioritise and take each day as it comes.
Marcela’s message to other patients
Marcela encourages people to learn about their condition, prepare questions for their healthcare team, talk with family and seek support from others. She recognises that everyone’s experience is different and that finding a balance between treatment and quality of life can take time.
This is Marcela’s personal experience, shared in her own words. It is not medical advice. Treatment decisions should be discussed with your own healthcare team.
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