Life Before Zephyr^® Valves:

I worked as a history teacher in a secondary school. It was a job I absolutely loved. My life was wonderful.

I was initially diagnosed with asthma when I was 30 after living in damp conditions while studying at university. More than a decade later, during an annual check-up for my asthma, the practice nurse noticed that something wasn’t quite right. She sent me to back my GP who arranged further tests, and following an x-ray it was confirmed that I had hyperinflation. I didn’t know what it meant in anything other than historical terms. The doctor explained that I couldn’t breathe out carbon dioxide and I was diagnosed with COPD that year in 2004.

My condition was stable for many years but my lung function was poor and deteriorated over time. As my COPD developed I found it harder to do everyday tasks. It really slowed me down. I needed to take regular breaks and I couldn’t manage like before. I had to give up teaching and took early retirement. It really broke my heart.

I took up sewing and started my own business. As my health deteriorated I was sent to the team at the Queen Elizabeth (QE) Hospital. There I learnt that I had a rare disease called Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), a genetic condition which can cause lung and liver problems. The doctor explained that the condition made me more vulnerable to the effects of smoke inhalation or materials such as dust or fumes but I was turned down for a lung transplant because I was too well.

I may have developed emphysema for some time but it was such a slow and gradual worsening of my condition that I didn’t notice.

At the end of 2016 I was rushed into hospital and they found that I had bullae in my chest. It was then that my condition really took a turn for the worse. I was on oxygen 24/7 and confined to a wheelchair because I couldn’t walk more than three steps. When my daughter left to go to university I couldn’t get any help and struggled to look after myself. I couldn’t go out and socialize and I wasn’t able to look after my grandson. It was the worst year of my life.

My condition was awful and I hit an all-time low. I wasn’t able to cook or feed myself. It was so debilitating. My consultant recommended that I have the Zephyr Valve treatment and referred me to Professor Naidu at Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham.

Life Before Zephyr^® Valves:

I am a little coward when it comes to doctors and needles which is why I rarely went to see a doctor. In 2004, it became unavoidable. Even though my appointment was for different reasons, I was diagnosed with stage 3 COPD.

COPD was not unfamiliar to me because my father had already suffered from this lung disease. But I had never imagined that I myself would be affected – even though I had been a smoker for many years and was professionally exposed to asbestos/glass wool. I only noticed that I experienced unusual difficulties when carrying heavy loads and walking up stairs, resulting now and then in shortness of breath. I blamed this on excessive stress.

The treatment itself:

I was initially meant to undergo lung volume reduction surgery, but the doctors decided against this and proposed to insert endobronchial valves into my lungs. I did not think about this for long and agreed. Shortly afterwards, I received four valves. After one year, one of them was removed and four others added.

Life Before Zephyr^® Valves:

Before my health deteriorated, I was so sociable! The true definition of a people person. I used to work in a library, which was a great place to meet people as well as read books. I was always very active. I loved going to my keep fit classes and socialising with all the women who went along.

I was diagnosed with emphysema over five years ago, and have been on oxygen therapy for the past three and half years.

I kept getting chest infections and was becoming breathless when I was pottering around the garden or going shopping. I was looking after my husband at the time who became ill in 2012, so that was my main focus. But I knew something wasn’t right with my lungs. It turned out to be emphysema.

My husband went into a care home after a long stay in the hospital. I wanted nothing more than to see him every day. But I was so exhausted and breathless, I could only make it every other day.

Things got much worse after I lost my husband in July 2018. One night, my lung collapsed. I lay in bed panicking. How would I get help? I managed to find the strength to get downstairs to call the ambulance, and was taken to hospital.

Soon after, I found out about the Zephyr Valve treatment. Dr Joel Dunning at the James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough asked if I was interested in a minimally invasive surgery that could help me breathe more easily. He explained how the Zephyr Valves worked and showed me what they looked like. I was keen to try the treatment as I really wanted to get back to my normal, energetic, sociable self.

Life Before Zephyr^® Valves:

I’d describe myself as a happy-go-lucky kind of person. A real optimist. “Onwards and upwards” is my motto. But being diagnosed with COPD seriously put my positivity to the test.

Before I became unwell, I was always busy doing something. I was both creative and practical — I loved making things. At home I’d make curtains and pillow cases, and enjoyed being active out in the garden, weeding and planting.

My work life was equally hands-on. I had a busy job as an inspector at a big company, showing people how to wire electricity metres. In my spare time, I loved swimming and going to keep fit classes.

I was first diagnosed with COPD in 2004 after a series of chest infections and severe coughing fits. I would cough that much that I would lose control of my bladder. I knew something was seriously wrong.

Having COPD affected everything. I was made redundant due to my ill health. From there things just kept getting worse and I developed severe emphysema. I was becoming more and more breathless. I could barely walk. My husband had to drive me around and drop me off right next to my destination.

I couldn’t manage to get up the stairs at home. We have an old property with a narrow staircase that made putting in a stairlift impossible. My husband became my caregiver. Every day was a challenge.

I started seeing Dr Mohamed Al-Aloul at Wythenshawe Hospital and that’s when I first heard about Zephyr Valve treatment. Dr Al-Aloul was amazing. He clearly and calmly talked me through my treatment options which were either a lung transplant, or Zephyr Valve treatment.

A lung transplant was not something I’d even consider. I thought it would be far too invasive. Something I simply couldn’t cope with. Zephyr Valve treatment, on the other hand, seemed like a good option. Dr Al-Aloul explained exactly how the valves worked and I decided to go for it.

Life Before Zephyr^® Valves:

I’m an independent, outdoorsy person with a happy disposition. Before I became unwell, I always worked. At first in admin and secretarial roles, and for 10 years as a childminder.

I was always on the go — I loved to be busy. You’d find me at the beach, swimming, or barbecuing, or going for long walks.

I think it’s important to look at things positively in life, and I pride myself on being a trier — I don’t give up easily. But my illness has made maintaining this outlook tough. Emphysema can take away your independence and, I must say, I’ve found that so difficult.

I came to Ireland from South Africa in 2005. In 2010, I started feeling unwell. I couldn’t breathe properly when I was walking, and I had a series of chest infections. I assumed it was to do with my weight. My breathlessness kept getting worse, so I decided to get it checked out.

I saw my GP and they referred me straight to a respiratory specialist. I was diagnosed with severe COPD.

My dad and sister both had emphysema, but I didn’t click that severe COPD was the same thing. When I realised, I was petrified. I started getting my will in order, and making plans in case the worst were to happen. It felt like my life was over.

My breathlessness meant I couldn’t walk up the stairs easily. I couldn’t walk far at all. I used to lean over the kitchen sink to do the dishes, standing up straight was too tiring. I couldn’t do basic things like washing my hair in the shower without getting completely out of breath.

Some people found it hard to understand what I was going through. I would cancel plans because I was simply too exhausted. I think they thought I was attention seeking. That made me miserable. I guess it’s hard to understand unless you’ve been through something like it.

I stopped smoking six years ago and started trying to lose weight, hoping I’d lose enough weight to be eligible for a surgical lung reduction. But I still didn’t quite qualify.

Then I heard about Zephyr Valve treatment which sounded like a great option. Professor Karen Redmond did some tests to see if I was eligible. Fortunately, I was! I was so relieved.

Unfortunately, that was when COVID hit, and everything was put on pause. I started to worry I wouldn’t get to have the procedure, but then I got a surprise call in February 2021 and was told I could have the procedure two days later.

I was delighted! I told them, YES, anything to breathe easier, I would be there. I wasn’t letting this opportunity go.

Life Before Zephyr^® Valves:

I’ve always been two things: active and determined. A person that doesn’t give in. Someone who just keeps moving. Having emphysema has been a challenge — but one that I’ve risen to, with the help of the right treatment.

I had a busy job working for a motorbike company. At the weekend, you’d find me doing odd jobs outside or going for long walks. Becoming ill made it hard to keep up this lifestyle. But one thing that didn’t change was my determination.

I was diagnosed with COPD about 10 years ago after a routine chest X-ray. I gave up smoking as soon as I found out. Nevertheless, my condition kept getting worse. It got to the point where I’d go to do a job outside and become so breathless I could barely walk.

Then came the hospital visits. I had about 12 episodes that ended with a hospital stay. I’d find myself completely unable to breathe, like I had a cushion over my mouth. It was awful. I had to call the ambulance and be taken in for treatment. I’d be lying there with an oxygen mask on all night, just to get through to the morning.

This really took a toll on my partner. She was worried sick for me. Every time I had an episode, she was terrified I wouldn’t even make it to hospital. I couldn’t let her keep going through this. I had to find a treatment that worked.

I did lots of research and I found out about a person with emphysema who had been successfully treated with Zephyr Valves in London. So, I went to New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton to the lung department to find out if they could be an option for me.

I was seen by Mr. Habib who did some tests, and gave me the best news I’d heard in years. Yes! I was eligible for Zephyr Valves.