Tommi’s Story
Louisville, Kentucky
Mom who loves traveling with her husband and spending time with her daughters
Procedure Details:
Age at Treatment: 57
Hospital: University of Louisville (Louisville, Kentucky)
Date of Procedure: September 2015
Life Before Zephyr® Valves:
Life before COPD and emphysema was wonderful. I raised two great daughters, loved my work, and enjoyed traveling with my husband. We went to the Gulf Shores every year, but everything changed when I got sick.
I was first diagnosed in 2009 by my family doctor. I used inhalers right away, but I put off the oxygen as long as I could. Oxygen felt like such a big step, but eventually I had no choice. It was my daughter’s nursing school graduation and I was determined to go. We borrowed a wheelchair from church and brought the oxygen tank out. The only issue was I put it on the wrong setting and ended up running out. Well, if you are going to have a medical issue, a graduation full of new nurses is not the worst place.
My emphysema progressed quickly. By 2012 I was very sick. I was approved for disability right away which is rare in Kentucky, but my records showed how sick I was. I was referred to the transplant center. I was so overwhelmed: The transplant list is a big commitment. Endless testing, bloodwork, rehabilitation, and if you don’t comply, you don’t stay on the list. I did this for two years. I spoke with a woman who had a transplant and she explained what I could expect. However, when I asked her if she would do it over again, she said no. I also knew a nurse who had the lung transplant and only lived for three additional years. I was frightened, but at that point, that was my only real option.
Life was very difficult. Just getting out of bed and dressed would take all the stamina I had. It was hard to leave the house. I am so blessed to have such a great guy who stood by me through all this. My husband had to do everything because I could no longer cook or do housework. It was a very depressing time. Life was going by, and I could not participate anymore.
Then my doctor mentioned the Zephyr Valve treatment. I was unsure at first, but once I met with the team doing the clinical trial, I felt that I should try this because it was definitely a better option than a major organ transplant.
Life After Zephyr Valves:
Having the Zephyr Valves was a fantastic decision for me and a real turning point in managing this awful illness.
The procedure went very smoothly. I experienced no pain at all. I didn’t even have a sore throat. I did stay in the hospital for observation for several days, but that was expected. I felt fine and was sitting up playing cards and watching movies.
For me, the results were not immediate. I think my expectations were too high. I thought I would be cured, but I still needed my daily medications. That said, within a month or so I could see a very big difference. Everyday tasks became manageable again. I started to cook and straighten up the house.
Now it’s been three years and I am still doing great. My lung function numbers are the same as they were seven years ago, as if the disease has not progressed. I still use my oxygen, but I am back in the land of the living now. I cook, clean, and socialize again. My husband and I go out on dates. I go shopping with my girls. I am so grateful to be able to live my life on my terms again.
I want to set realistic expectations. This was not a cure, but it was life-changing. It just improved my quality of life so much. I feel like I won lottery!
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-1594-v1
