At 78 with advanced COPD, we didn’t expect this change in lung function

I hesitated before sharing this, because I know how unusual it may sound.
But I also know how it feels when you hear:
“There is nothing more we can do.”
This is a case we have been closely following.
A retired physician with a long smoking history (about 50 years, he had already quit), diagnosed with advanced COPD/emphysema.
He had also previously been told that there were fibrotic-type changes in his lungs.

Where things stood
By February 2024:
• FEV1: 0.89 L (34.6%)
• FVC: 1.10 L (33%)
• persistent right-sided pleural effusion
At that stage, the expectation was gradual decline.

What we explored
We started looking into options beyond standard inhalers and medications, trying to understand whether anything could influence the overall trajectory — not just symptoms.
He underwent a regenerative, cell-based approach.

What happened over time
The changes were gradual.
In December 2024 (≈9 months later), CT imaging showed:
• resolution of pleural effusion
• no signs of progressive fibrotic changes
• no honeycombing or traction bronchiectasis

Lung function over time
February 2025:
• FEV1: 1.04 L (36%)
• FVC: 2.13 L (58%)
September 2025:
• FEV1: 0.86 L (34%)

After a second course
Approximately 3.5 months later (April 2026):
• FEV1: 1.16 L
• FVC: 1.91 L (56%)
• peak FVC observed: 2.17 L (63%)
There was also less reliance on oxygen and more stable day-to-day condition.

Inflammation marker
IL-6 measured 3 months later was 4.99 pg/mL (within normal range ≤7), which may indicate a relatively controlled inflammatory state.

Why this stood out to us
In advanced COPD at this age, decline is typically expected.
What we observed instead was a period where the trajectory appeared different from what is usually seen.

Final thought
This is just one case, and I’m not drawing general conclusions.
But it did make us question whether, in some situations, the course of the disease might not be entirely fixed.

I would be really interested to hear if anyone here has experienced or observed anything similar — whether through rehabilitation, medications, or other approaches.