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Cindy, 56
Cindy’s Story
Carlisle, KY
Wife and mom who loves to travel and watch her daughter’s bowling tournaments!
Procedure Details:
Age at Treatment: 56
Hospital: University of Louisville
Date of Procedure: January 2017
Life Before Zephyr® Valves:
Before emphysema, I led a busy, active life. I worked in accounting, raised two kids, and loved to travel with my husband. We would rent a houseboat every year on the lake with a big group of friends.
I was diagnosed with emphysema/COPD at age 46 during a screening for an autoimmune disease. Over the years I used several medications to help control the symptoms including prednisone, methotrexate, and a nebulizer. I was finally able to quit smoking for good in 2012, but the disease had begun to really impact my life. From 2008 to 2014, I was in the hospital every year. I had to go on disability. In 2014, I was hospitalized three times and during one of those episodes, I started turning blue and scared my poor husband to death! I was not intubated but was put on a ventilator. These were very frightening times for me and my family.
Over the years, the most basic tasks became difficult. I used oxygen during the day in order to go anywhere or do basic housework. Even taking a shower was difficult. I lost a lot of weight because I was very down and had no appetite. I was anxious all the time. It is hard to live when you can’t breathe.
It was difficult on my family too. The kids had to see me struggle and be in and out of the hospital. My husband owned a heating company but ultimately had to close it and stay home to take care of me. One of the worst parts of the disease was how it impacted my role as a mom. It was tough to miss the kids’ activities and special moments. When my daughter wanted to go try makeup and do those fun mom and daughter things, it was often my husband who would have to take her.
In 2015, my pulmonary doctor suggested I get on a lung transplant list. I have a friend who had a double lung transplant and the recovery was a grueling process. And, even after going through all that, the transplant only gives you an estimate of five years to live. When I was referred to Louisville for the valves, even though it was in the trial phase, I went to talk to them. My husband did a lot of research, and the trial team did a great job explaining how it would work so I decided to go for it.
Life After Zephyr Valves:
Having the Zephyr Valves was life-changing for me. I stayed in the hospital for six days but overall, the procedure went smoothly. I know for sure that it was a lot easier than having a lung transplant.
It’s been almost two years and I am doing great. I am back to doing housework and I even go to the gym. I bring my oxygen reader and my inhaler in case I need it, but I am not afraid to be active anymore. I feel like I can take care of myself again. The Zephyr Valves allowed me to feel like a normal person again.
Not only am I feeling better, but the stress on my family is much less. My husband is back to work and the kids don’t worry as much. I have been able to travel to my daughter’s bowling tournaments. Before I had the valves, I had to pack my oxygen tank and give myself a big pep talk to make it to a tournament. There were always crowds and sometimes it was hard to find a seat. Now I don’t worry about going at all. I don’t even bring oxygen. I can stand if I have to, and I walk to the bathroom with no problem.
I still have emphysema and take daily medications, but I am back to living life again. My goals were to be able to walk around with my husband and take my kids shopping. I can do that now, and more!
I am travelling again. My husband and I went to the Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina for a car show and stopped in Helen, Georgia on the way to sightsee. Taking that trip was amazing because before the valves, just walking from one room to another in my house was a big effort. I really didn’t think I’d be travelling again, but here I am.
I am sharing my story because I want other severe emphysema sufferers to have hope and to know that this treatment is available!
Results may vary.
Complications of the Zephyr Endobronchial Valve treatment can include but are not limited to pneumothorax, worsening of COPD symptoms, hemoptysis, pneumonia, dyspnea and, in rare cases, death.
Caution: Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.
US-EN-1728-v1
John’s Story
John’s Story
Chicago, Illinois
Air Force veteran saw a 20% improvement in his lung function after treatment with the Zephyr Valves. He can now enjoy long walks with his loving wife again.
Procedure Details:
Age at Treatment: 78
Hospital: University of Chicago Medical Center
Date of Procedure: April 2019
Life Before Zephyr® Valves:
I was a healthy kid. I played football, basketball, baseball, swimming, track, and more. In 1959, I went into the Airforce. I didn’t smoke when I went in, but then once you’re in, it’s “take 10 and light ‘em up.” If you didn’t smoke, you got put on some duty. So needless to say, most of us started to light up. Fifty-five years later I quit smoking, but the COPD/emphysema had already taken over in my lungs.
About eight years ago, I caught a cold and it just escalated quickly. It was a steady decline after that. I went from being this active healthy guy to struggling to breathe with simple tasks. I couldn’t ride my bike anymore. Even doing yard work had become difficult. I would try to weed whack and edge the lawn, but I would have to use the rescue inhaler and stop often to rest. When you have to stop and lean over to catch your breath, you start to think “this may be my last breath.” It scared my wife and me.
I was not on oxygen yet but I was getting very discouraged at the decline I was seeing. On a trip in 2018, I ended up in the ER having breathing treatments. My general practitioner, Dr. Cressa Perish, referred me to Dr. Steve White at University of Chicago Medical Center. He told me “it’s only going to get worse.” I told him I was ready to try something, even if it was a newer option.
In 2019, Dr. White introduced me to his colleague Dr. Kyle Hogarth who had studied the newly FDA-approved Zephyr Valves. Once Dr. Hogarth explained how the valves worked I was 100% ready to try them. He had to do some tests to see if I was a candidate, but I was hopeful that this would give me some of my life back.
Life After Zephyr Valves:
I was the 16th patient treated at University of Chicago Medical Center with the Zephyr Valves. The procedure went smoothly. I had a bit of pain and discomfort as expected, but I stayed for three days and was very well cared for.
After just a month, I was taking deeper breaths and no longer struggling with the severe shortness of breath that had become my normal. In just a few months I’ve seen a 20-25% improvement in lung function.
The valves are not a cure but they have blocked off the diseased part of my lung so the healthier sections can work better, and I tell you, I feel the difference!
My wife worries less now. We are back to taking daily bike rides, long walks, and have even done some significant travel already. In the Spring, we drove 14 hours straight home from Connecticut to Chicago. That would have been impossible before the valves. I just wouldn’t have had the stamina.
I haven’t felt this good since my 50s. It’s like getting a new lease on life. I am sharing my story so others who are struggling can know about this option and can have hope too.
Results for individual patients may vary.
Complications of the Zephyr Endobronchial Valve treatment can include but are not limited to pneumothorax, worsening of COPD symptoms, hemoptysis, pneumonia, dyspnea and, in rare cases, death.
Caution: Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.
US-EN-1551-v1
JC’s Story
JC’s Story
Zephyrhills, Florida
“For me, the valves are a blessing from God. I can’t imagine going through life any longer the way I was before them.”
Procedure Details:
Age at Treatment: 77
Hospital: Advent Health Tampa – Florida Medical Clinic
Date of Procedure: August 2020
Life Before Zephyr® Valves:
I was fortunate enough to have a job I loved and looked forward to going to everyday. I spent 36 years working as an engineer for CSX Railroad. I spent my days on the train seeing parts of Florida many never get to see. On my days off, I enjoyed fishing, hunting, and spending time with my family and dogs. But as my breathing became worse, the activities I loved to do started decreasing.
I was diagnosed with severe COPD/emphysema at age 62. Even though I quit smoking 24 years ago, the habit still had a severe impact on my lung health. I was using multiple inhalers multiple times a day. It felt like I was living on my rescue inhalers. It never left my side. In the beginning of my diagnosis, I used oxygen only at night, but that soon grew to be an all-day thing too. I was really scared to do anything, even simple things like walking out to my truck, because honestly I was scared I was going to die.
When you have COPD or emphysema, it feels like you are living in a bubble. You are strapped to your oxygen and the activities you loved so much are taken away. Sometimes my breathing was so bad that I couldn’t even catch my breath enough to take my rescue inhaler. My breathing got down to 25% and that is when Dr. Juan Cevallo referred me to Dr. Nathan Do’s office and started my testing to get the Zephyr Valves.
Life After Zephyr Valves:
After doing all the necessary testing, I was told I was a candidate for the Zephyr Valves and I received my very own set in August 2020. The procedure was quick and relatively painless. My throat was a little sore from the bronchoscope, but it was so minor, I didn’t even need to take a Tylenol®. I was in the hospital for the required three days, and every morning and night I got a chest x-ray to make sure the valves were in the right places and they were working properly. Like clockwork, at 6:50am, he came into my room and listened to me breathe. The first morning he heard a small buzzing sound which just meant one of the valves hadn’t settled in yet. By the second morning though, I was in the clear. Once Dr. Do gave me the go-ahead, I was walking laps around the hospital floor.
I had follow-up appointments with Dr. Do after two weeks, one month, and six weeks after the procedure. He said everything was working properly. I was so excited to get the green light to get back to what I love to do! I am not able to run a marathon, not that I would want to anyway, but I am back in my boat fishing, and enjoying the outdoors with the dogs.
I only use my oxygen at night rather than every day. I take one puff from my rescue inhaler and two puffs of Symbicort® in the morning. After that, I am ready to take on the day!
For me, the valves are a blessing from God. I can’t imagine going through life any longer the way I was before them. I want everyone to know about the Zephyr Valves because they changed my life for the better, and I know they can help countless more.
My beautiful wife and I can’t wait for what the future holds.
Results from case studies are not necessarily predictive of results in other cases. Results in other cases may vary.
Complications of the Zephyr Endobronchial Valve treatment can include but are not limited to pneumothorax, worsening of COPD symptoms, hemoptysis, pneumonia, dyspnea and, in rare cases, death.
US-EN-886-v1
Mike’s Story (Oregon)
Mike’s Story
Portland, Oregon
Husband, father, and grandfather who enjoys gardening, biking, and the great outdoors!
Procedure Details:
Age at Treatment: 65
Hospital: Providence Hospital, Portland
Date of Procedure: May 2020
Life Before Zephyr® Valves:
I was diagnosed with COPD about 15 years ago. After my dad passed away from Alpha-1 emphysema, I was tested and was negative for Alpha-1, but still had COPD and early stage emphysema at that point. I smoked for 30 years and was finally able to quit eight years ago.
My COPD has had a huge downhill impact on our lifestyle. Essentially, I went from being an active outdoor person, to being stuck at home. We had a house on Lake Michigan and loved to kayak, camp, and bike. I hunted for 30 years, spending the whole day in the woods. As the disease progressed, I couldn’t do much anymore. Life became very limited. I even had to retire early from my career as a general manager.
My doctor put me on Spiriva® and Advair®550, and in the early years the medication helped to manage it. As time went on the medications were less effective, and I had several ER trips because my oxygen levels dropped. I ended up with pneumonia twice and had to be put on steroids and oxygen. As the disease progressed, I needed oxygen regularly, and eventually I couldn’t get by without it. I was on four liters of oxygen 24/7 for two years.
I was seeing a holistic doctor (who was also my neighbor). She had read an article about Zephyr Valves and she recommended I look into it. My regular pulmonary doctor did not agree that the valves were an option for me, so I called Henry Ford directly, had all the testing done, and qualified. I’m on social media and I always tell others with this disease, “don’t take what your current doctor says…you have to see someone who does the valves to be properly evaluated.” It makes me crazy that my treating doctors didn’t bring this to my attention and maybe I suffered longer than I had to.
Then came the battle with insurance. We really had to fight for coverage with Anthem Blue Cross. The Pulmonx Reimbursement Team stepped in and appealed again and again for me. They did not give up on me and fought for me all the way to the Federal Appeals Court. It took eight months, but I got my valves.
Life After Zephyr Valves:
I was scheduled for April 8th. We had already bought a house in Portland, Oregon where we were moving to be closer to my five-year-old granddaughter. I was nervous about COVID because Michigan was really getting bad, so we decided to make the move to Oregon sooner rather than later. I did a few tele-health visits, and then in May I had the procedure in Portland. The hospital had a great protocol regarding COVID. The COVID unit was on another side of the hospital and had only eight patients.
The procedure went well and frankly was much easier than the huge surgery I had been preparing for before the valves were an option. When your only other options are major surgeries, having the valves done just via a bronchoscopy, it was a no brainer in my mind. I felt the difference immediately in the hospital and was on less oxygen right away.
My life has changed quite a bit in a short period of time. We’ve been hiking in Washington. We were at the coast over the weekend, walking up hilly roads. We walk the neighborhood all the time and it is no problem, even when the weather is hot. I only turn my oxygen on for sleeping now.
My wife and son are so happy. When we first moved here, they would hike without me. Now we can do what we want, when we want. I am back to living life. We don’t eat meat and grow all our own food. Now I work in my garden five to six hours a day.
About six weeks after having my Zephyr valve, I had my “ah-ha” moment and knew that this worked for me when I was able to play badminton in the yard with my granddaughter on the Fourth of July without oxygen.
Results from case studies are not necessarily predictive of results in other cases. Results in other cases may vary.
Complications of the Zephyr Endobronchial Valve treatment can include but are not limited to pneumothorax, worsening of COPD symptoms, hemoptysis, pneumonia, dyspnea and, in rare cases, death.
GLO-EN-637-v1
Charlie’s Story
Charlie’s Story
Fairfax, Virginia
Grandpa of nine who loves swimming, taking care of his grandkids, and vacationing on the coast!
Procedure Details:
Age at Treatment: 68
Hospital: Inova Fairfax
Date of Procedure: October 2019
Life Before Zephyr® Valves:
Before my diagnosis of COPD, I lived a very full life. I’ve been married for 45 years, raised three kids, and now have nine grandchildren. The grandkids all live close by and are such a big part of our life. I work as a real estate professional specializing in selling new homes for a national builder. In our spare time, my wife and I enjoy our small beach house in Ocean City, MD.
I was very healthy before this disease. Growing up in New England, I loved the ocean and swimming became my sport and passion. I was a New England swimming champion my junior year of high school and I coached for many years. I swam almost daily until about five years ago when my lungs just wouldn’t allow me to get in the water anymore.
I smoked for about 30 years, but I had quit five years before my pulmonologist diagnosed me with COPD/emphysema. The first time I used oxygen was back in 2005. I got very sick and was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, but that was a misdiagnosis. What I really had was pneumonia. My lungs deteriorated from then on. By 2018 I needed the oxygen full time and for the past 12 months, I didn’t have the lung capacity to support walking, even with oxygen. If I went to the grocery store, I had to use the handicap cart. I couldn’t even make the bed. The simplest tasks were not possible anymore.
This disease robs you of your life. My life became limited in so many ways. I couldn’t swim anymore and socializing was difficult. It is hard to join in conversation when you are struggling to breathe. You really start feeling like a smaller version of yourself. It truly is depressing.
When my pulmonologist brought up the Zephyr® Valves and referred me to Dr. Mahajan, I said, “Sign me up!” Dr. Mahajan’s nurse, Nancy, explained the procedure to me and arranged all the testing. I was supposed to have my valves in September, but it was postponed a few weeks because I needed a cardiac clearance.
Life After Zephyr Valves:
The procedure went smoothly, though the anesthesia did a number on me. I felt rough for a few days, but other than that, I was the poster child for recovery. Surgery on Monday and rest. Tuesday a walk to the bathroom. Wednesday a walk around the ward. On Thursday I went home. About one week from my procedure I started to notice breathing improvements, but just one week after that I gave up the oxygen during the day.
When you go into pulmonary rehab therapy, they ask you what your goals are. My goal was to swim again. To have enough oxygen to not be afraid to get in the pool. After the valves and nine weeks in therapy I was jogging my six-minute walk without oxygen. Then on New Year’s Eve, two months after my valves, I went swimming for the first time in five years and it was amazing!
Since I have had the valves, the little things have become the big things. I can carry the groceries and I can take my grandbabies to lunch at their favorite place. I am focusing on my career, too. Talking to potential home buyers and doing house tours are both much easier now that I am breathing better.
It’s joyful, really. I’m not afraid to do things anymore. Before I was afraid to go out because I couldn’t walk that far and I didn’t want to embarrass my friends by making them wait for me. Now, I’m leading the pack! I swim two days a week and go to the gym two days a week. My grandkids are so happy to see Grampy come in the house without panting. Yesterday I took them to the movies, first time in five years!
My story about this procedure tells people what life can be even with COPD. It really brought me back. I am a walking Christmas present. This far exceeded my expectations!