Well, I have her with me always. she's like a shopping trolly waving a giant sword. sure, she gets in the way, yes, she jumps in front of your firebreath and eats every single lightning bolt Storm Shout creates and she's as daft as a pig's bottom. but she does help. more or less. Id have died way more if I handt dragged her along.
It's now my self set goal to finish the entire game with her not dieing on me.